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When you were denied seven players from the side that walloped Rhos Aelwyd last week then most of us would have agreed to have settled for a point at 1pm from our home game with the strongly fancied Coedpoeth. Out were Sooty, Matt Williams, Chal. Owen, Darren and the terrible twosome Keeno and Cargo. The visitors were also down to the bare bones as well. At least it enabled Shaun Winters to make his first start and Danny Gronnow played his first game of the campaign and shone at fullback. With Chal failing a morning fitness test, the boss came in, in an unfamiliar position at fullback. After 10 minutes, Coedpoeth were reduced to ten men when an horrendous tackle by Dion Jones on Robbie saw referee Chris Noble give him a straight red card. One of the easiest decisions Mr Noble will have to make all season. Playing against the wind, we remained ultra cautious, we kept to the task well though and although we denied Coedpoeth, we failed to create anything meaningful ourselves. It was ironic that we were struggling to cope with the wind in our face up to the interval but it changed course in the second half and we failed to have such advantage of having it in or favour. We lacked the normal craft and guile associated with our side nowadays and the game was scrappy and awful to watch. Despite having the extra man, we failed dismally to exploit that fact. We changed the shape somewhat with Rob switching to the right and Hughesey playing off Broady. Coedpoeth did tire and Broady twice went close and GPJ sent a shot fizzing past the post It was so obvious Coedpoeth were out of sorts so big Danny the Giraffe was sent into attack and replaced Hughesey and Huw Birkdale filled in at fullback. Shaun Winters who showed some really nice touches on his debut tired and so it paved the way for Steve Dowling to make his first start of the campaign. It is difficult to be negative and a ‘dismal jimmy' when you have just won 19 out of 21 points and progressed with ease in two cups but despite trying hard to convince myself it was a good point under the circumstances, I still felt we underachieved, we were not clever enough to adjust tactically or mentally and I saw it as two points dropped against a very poor opposition. In the post match interview Ady was quite philosophical. Under the circumstances I can't see why anyone can be downhearted, it is really hard to bounce back after being forced into making seven sweeping changes. The team today incorporated six teenagers and that bodes well for the club. I was really delighted by the contribution from young Shaun Winters but well worthy of the man of the match award was Pricey who was first class in goal. TWA – Tea Award Paul Chaloner Team 1. Mike Price (8) 2. Danny Gronnow (7) 3. Luke Peate (6) 4. Steve Halliwell (7) 5. Ady Roberts (6) 6. Chris Hughes (6) 7. Shaun Winters (6) 8. Matt Davies (6) 9. Gaz Pugh Jones (7)10. Chris Broadhirst (6) 11. Robbie Jones (6) SUBS:- 12. Steve Dowling (6) 14. Huw Birkhead (6) 15. Paul Chaloner 6 MOM MIKE PRICE
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