Llandyrnog Summer League: Llandyrnog vs. Caerwys

Llandyrnog got back to winning ways with a routine 6 - 0 victory over Caerwys on a cold and windy Summer LeagueThursday night at Cae Nant. Llandyrnog, aiming to bounce back from Monday's loss, started the game very quickly and almost had the ball in the back of the net within a minute of the kick off when Patrick Hinchcliffe went close with a header following some good work from Luke Humphreys down the left hand side. Luke himself was next to go close and will be disappointed not to have scored when he latched on to a Chris Williams flick on before slamming the ball into the Caerwys keeper's crotch after possibly delaying the shot a tad too long.

Chris Williams was next to go close when he beat the offside trap and shot across goal only to see the ball bounce back off the upright. The deadlock was broken soon enough though with Pat Hinchcliffe getting the first of the night from the spot. Tom Evans' whipped corner hitting the crossbar before being struck towards goal (I didn't see who by) only to be pawed away superbly by a leaping Caerwys defender. A moment of controversy though as the referee not only elected to not send the player off for a deliberate hand ball but failed to even take his name in the book. It was a move which prompted former Summer League player Russ 'Giggsy' Jones to ask the official why it wasn't a red card at half time only to receive the following reply:-

"What??? Do you want me to referee by the rules?"

Summer League, bloody hell! You couldn't make that up and that's coming from someone that makes most of these reports up!!!

The first half didn't really come to life after that with the ball spending the majority of the time in the air and most moves breaking down in that crucial final third. There was room in the first half though for a second goal for both Patrick Hinchcliffe and Llandyrnog as he brought down a Chris Williams flick well before wrong footing the defender by cutting back and drilling the ball low across the keeper. That was it for the half and after a quick nip home to put on my gloves and hat (again, it's SUMMER League) the second half underway.

Llandyrnog, in much the same way as the first half, came out of the blocks quickly as Luke Humphreys saw his smart effort turned onto the crossbar by the Caerwys stopper. That was quickly followed by a rasping Pat Hinchliffe half-volley that just sailed wide of the post.

The third goal came as Luke Humphreys finally scoring the goal that had thus far eluded him better than Wesley Snipes sitting on the roof of a train. The youngster slotting home from close range after some very unselfish play from Chris Williams. Luke almost had a quick double on his hands after a lovely flowing move down the left hand side that began with Emyr Jones showed some Iniesta like feet and culminated in Luke trying his luck from 18 yards only to see his effort thwarted by the keeper.

Chris Williams added the 4th goal for The Blues but the plaudits should go to Patrick Hinchcliffe who beat four men on a mazy run into the Caerwys box before rolling the ball into the path of Chris who calmly tucked the ball into the net from a matter of yards.

There was a lengthy stoppage midway through the second half as in an attempt to stop Patrick completing his hat-trick the Caerwys centre back and keeper smashed into each other so hard that you'd be forgiven for thinking they were attempting to impress Richard Keys. Both of the Caerwys players actually requiring lengthy treatment before having to leave the field of play, Caerwys had actually made their only two substitutions so were left with nine men but after a brief discussion with both captains it was decided that rather than put a team at a disadvantage or abandon the game, the Caerwys subs were permitted to come back onto the field of play. Unorthodox decision but a good one in the interest of fair play. A quick moment to wish a speedy recovery to the two Caerwys lads too although I doubt they are reading this so I really needn't bother.

With the game back into swing Patrick would claim the hat-trick (I am not a tabloid writer so will resist the urge to use any puns) that had thus far eluded him and doubled his tally for the season after substitute Brandon Keating great defense splitting pass put Man of the Match Hinchcliffe in acres of space behind the Caerwys back-line enabling to pick his spot in the far corner of the Caerwys net.

There was one final goal on the night and Brandon Keating again turned provider when he received a great ball down the line from Mally Hughes before putting the ball on a plate for Tudur Morris to add his name to the scorer's sheet.

For those that like to know the team:-
Daniel Jones
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Mally Hughes
Patrick Hinchcliffe, Phil Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Tudur Morris
Luke Humphreys, Chris Williams

Subs: Brandon Keating, Chris Evans

I actually too some pictures tonight too although they are as bad as usual. Also included are two efforts from Idris Parry who has mocked me since day one for the blurriness of my pictures and attempted to best me, I don't want to give it away but he failed miserably.