Llandyrnog Summer League: Clawddnewydd vs. Llandyrnog

Dan Porter in this blog's standard 'Porter misses' photo

Another away game for Llandyrnog and another victory to make it 4 wins from 4. A comfortable 5-0 victory against a Clawdd team that played with 10 men for the first 30 minutes whilst waiting for one last player to turn up. This fixture is usually a tough game, with a big Clawdd side being tough to break down on a very tight pitch...

The Summer League's answer to Sporting Braga's stadium

Which is only surpassed by the far tighter Clawdd changing rooms...

A one in one out changing system in effect

Tonight however, this was not the case. Llandyrnog didn't really come out of second gear and arguably should have finished the game with a far greater winning margin than the five goals they had. Llandyrnog actually opened the scoring within the first few minutes when Brandon Keating played the ball through to Dan Porter, who knocked the ball round his marker (who was far too tight) and then slotted under the advancing goalkeeper.

It wasn't long until the ball was back in the Clawdd net as Danny Roberts finished nicely before being bizarrely ruled offside despite clearly being five yards onside. The referee perhaps realising his mistake in disallowing Roberts' goal did even things out within a few minutes when he blew for offside against a Clawddnewydd attacker, barreling down on goal, who was himself 3 or 4 yards onside.

Soon enough Craig Jones was adding his second of the season and Dyrny's second of the night when he latched onto Patrick Hinchcliffe's delightful long ball and rifled the ball past the goalkeeper. Craig was almost wheeling off in celebration again minutes later when he found the side netting after a great move that started with Mally Hughes before some excellent one touch passing between Tom Evans, Brandon Keating, and Danny Roberts tore the Clawdd back-line apart.

Llandyrnog really caused some problems at this point and once again Craig Jones broke free of a high Clawdd defensive line before attempting to curl the ball around the Clawdd gloves-man who got a good hand to the ball and pushed it round the post to earn his team, in one of the more unique decisions, a goal kick!

The third goal was added shortly thereafter as Danny Porter broke into the box before being felled by a Clawdd defender as he looked to pick out Dan Roberts or Brandon Keating as they charged down on goal. Dan Porter picked himself up to squeeze the resulting penalty under the goal-keeper who guessed right but could not get down to his left quickly enough.

Aside from Dan Roberts hitting the post following a good lay off from Dan Porter and the referee implementing his 'goalkeeper saves well, ball goes out, goal kick given' rule there really wasn't much more to enjoy in the half.

With the second half underway Llandyrnog looked to add to their tally and increase their goal difference and Danny Roberts was the man to ensure they did. Roberts side-footing past the keeper following a dangerous cross from Patrick Hinchcliffe (providing his second assist of the evening) that just evaded the Clawdd defence.

That was the highlight of the majority of the half to be honest without much happening as Llandyrnog tried to walk the ball into the net whilst the Clawdd attack was thwarted at every opportunity by the Llandyrnog defenders. There was a late goal and first of the season for team captain Tudur Morris as poked the ball into the net via the post following a great cross from Craig Jones that was nodded back on to the penalty spot by Dan Roberts for Morris to run onto.

Aside from a late booking for Tom Evans (booked for dissent again), that was the game. Llandyrnog were too comfortable and relaxed in their play and at times over-played the ball in good positions. The most important thing though was the win, it's another 3 points for Dyrny who still have a lot more to bring to this season.

I should say that my meaningless man of the match award goes to Dan Porter again as he was involved of most of the positive moves for Llandyrnog. It could have gone to young Pat Hinchcliffe again but to be honest had it not been for Craig Jones' terrible attempt at a bicycle kick in the second half he would have won it this time. I do believe that the referee did give Craig his man of the match award and actually proclaimed Craig to be the man of all matches, whatever that meant?!?

The squad was as follows:-

Daniel Jones

Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Phil Hinchcliffe, Mally Hughes

Dan Roberts, Tom Evans, Patrick Hinchcliffe

Craig Jones, Daniel Porter, Brandon Keating

Subs - Jamie Dowell and John Jones

For those who want more pictures, have these:-