RHOS AELWYD 0 GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 5
By Captain Web

The league tables don't lie and they tell a really good story from our point of view as with just over a month of the season remaining we sit just three points off the runners up spot.

We would need Coedpoeth to drop a few points and achieve success against Overton but a top three place is now within our grasp.

Many might argue that the team we put out against Rhos is one of our strongest sides with just Sooty an absentee on the day. There were positional changes with Ady opting to switch Robbie to fullback and Darren coming back in on the right.

It was a perfect day for soccer and all came good in the end after a tentative start when we were showing silly glimpses of frustration and not really demonstrating the kind of conviction which has won us so many admirers. Enter centre stage Mr Master Craftsman Broadhirst who settled our nerves with a fine strike. It was sad to see Matt then react to some whinging but even sadder for me to see Matt being criticised in the first place. We have got to where we are today through complete solidarity so I see no reason why we should break rank when the chips our down. Matt silenced any doubts there were in some camps about his ability when he rifled in a stunning goal after some good link up play between Rob and Dazzer. By then though we were forced into making our first change, Chal's toe collapsed and in came Huw at left back for his first start in ten weeks.

There was a relaxed mood about the place by half time and there was total calm and tranquillity about the interval dressing room. The message was quite clear, concede an early goal and Rhos were back in the hunt, nick an early goal and the game would be won. The latter of course is what happened. Matt increased our lead and Rhos lost the plot.

On came Owen Roberts for Broady and Shaun Winters for Darren and an old wag on the bank behind me thought we had brought on a couple of jockeys. One thing for sure these two signings will have a bright future and they played out of their skins. Owen notched goal number four and Shaun helped create goal five which was eventually powered home by Huw Jones.

Another classic victory and another great days work !

In his post match interview with Ady, he commented “I must heap much praise on Robbie for the mature way he accepted the switch to the role of wing back but then responding in the best possible way with an unblemished display and he was the provider of two of the goals as well as providing an endless supply of pin point crosses. I thought Keeno and Gareth Pugh played their best game for some considerable time and it was pleasing to have Darren and Huw back with the squad. Owen and Shaun also made quite an impact didn't they.”

MOM Rob Jones

TWA – Tea Award: Matt – Some thought poor old Matt over reacted to some perpetual moaning and the shout of ‘Everyone is picking on me' didn't go down too well with the boss but Sam was more philosophical and he handed Matt a bottle of Gripe Water !!

Team: 1. Mike Price (7) 2. Robbie Jones (9) 3. Paul Chaloner (7) 4. Darren Jones (7) 5. Steve Halliwell (7) 6. Luke Peate (7) 7. Paul Jones (8) 8. Gaz Pugh Jones (8) 9. Richie Carr (7) 10. Matt Davies (7) 11. Chris Broadirst (7) SUBS: 12. Owen Roberts (7) 14. Sean Winter (7) 15.Huw Jones (7)