Nantglyn vs. Llandyrnog

First and foremost I would like to apologise in advance for the short nature of this match report and the lack of photos. I did attend the match and was intending to throw up the standard report but due to Llandyrnog Reserves Winter League team playing in a cup final on the same night (which they won 3-1, congratulations lads), the Summer League was short of players Craig and Daniel Jones and missing Reserve manager Jimmy McNally. Due to us being without a couple of other players for various reasons I was asked to grab my boots and potentially end a self-imposed retirement that came after a particularly embarrassing performance against Trefnant pre-season. As I was required to sit on the bench I wasn't really able to make notes on the game and I have a terrible memory so without my notes it's hard to give you an accurate description of the game.

What I can say with certainty is that Llandyrnog won 9-2 with the returning Josh Davies, in his first run out since Ysceifiog, scoring four goals. Tudur Morris got himself a brace and there was a goal each for Danny Roberts and Dan Porter with Patrick Hinchcliffe scoring his first senior goal for the summer side.

Llandyrnog could have scored plenty more on the night but didn't really kick into gear and barring a good ten minute spell in the second half did not play to their potential, that said you can't be disappointed with a 9-2 victory.

My blog Man of the Match award goes to Tudur Morris who exploited the space the Nantglyn defence afforded him time and time again and was influential throughout the match. There were strong performances too from Josh Davies, who held the ball up well up top and caused plenty of problems for the home side, Danny Roberts who impressed on his return to the team after missing the Cefn game for a holiday and also Patrick Hinchcliffe and Tom Evans also impressed in the centre of the pitch with both players working tirelessly for the team and distributing well to the front men. A special mention too for Chris Evans, another of McNally's Minors (that's not what it sounds like) who made his first senior start in an unfamiliar position as goalkeeper and performed competently in covering regular keeper Daniel Jones.

For those that are curious about my own return, as it turned out there was no need to send on the 'Ten Minute Thierry' and I wasn't called upon to add to my massive Summer League goal scoring record of one (coincidentally scored against Nantglyn last year on my debut).

The win put Llandyrnog to the top of the league following a drawn match between Cefn and Llanrhaedr. For those keeping tabs on the side it was as follows:-

Chris Evans
John Jones, Russell Moorcroft, Adam Lloyd, Mally Huughes
Tudur Morris, Tom Evans, Patrick Hinchcliffe, Danny Roberts
Dan Porter, Josh Davies

Subs - Emyr Jones, Jamie Dowell, Paul Roberts

Thanks for reading

Paul