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Welsh National Div One Results

Druid Sports & Leisure Welsh National Division One

PENYCAE RESERVES 1 GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2

By Captain Web-Jones

Ady and Sam jumped triumphantly in the air at the final whistle on Saturday – you would have thought they had both come up on the lottery not salvaged three points at Penycae Reserves !

For me it really sums up how important to them both it is that our ‘young guns' do well. It is a really terrific to have two great guys in charge who eat, drink and sleep football and have winning right at the top of their personal agendas.
As players, the pair of them were bloody awful losers, fair minded footballers but above all else great sportsmen. This is the ethos and culture they are trying to impart on the next generation of our local footballers.
I have been personally quite gutted we have made little impact since the pair of them took charge in August. There have been glimpses of improvement in our play but grotty defeats at Coedpoeth, Brynteg, at home to Chirk and then last weeks flop at Ruthin emphasised how important it was to turn the corner at the weekend.
Do not read too much into the score-line on Saturday but for me it was the best result of the season. Having travelled to Afoneitha for over two decades it really is an intimidating pace to go. Last season there were two burnt out stolen cars down the valley still smouldering and players had their pockets raided in he changing room. On arrival this week, it was sad to see that the club have had their dug outs torched and totally wrecked beyond repair which must be really disheartening for their leading official Steve Griffiths and his hard working committee who are still trying to broker a deal to take ownership of the facilities there. Our team had an average age of 19 which bodes well for the future. In for his debut came 18 year old Owen Roberts on the left of midfield and another young teenager Luke Peate looked comfortable partnering the ever improving and classy Richie Carr.
Keeno and Robbie were recalled after a ski-ing trip to Dublin and Sooty came in at fullback. We took the game by the scruff of the neck and with just eight minutes gone, Robbie fired us in front. Sooty picked out Matty Davies who worked like a Trojan all afternoon and his clever knock down was thrashed past Geoff Owen from ten yards out. Rob then showed three players a clean pair of heels but failed to make the most of a one on one with the keeper. Matty and Chris Broadhirst then went close and we never really look threatened. Just prior to the break though a rare lapse in concentration and some indecision with Richie and Soot allowed Andrew Brookes to race clear and prod the ball past Mike Price.
We upped the tempo after the break and we all had great belief that we could self correct things. Broady shaved the right upright, a glancing header from Keeno took the paint off the left hand post as we really bossed the game. Matt and Robbie had good efforts saved after Darren Jones and Chal provided plenty of good quality opportunities and when Hughesey replaced the diminutive Owen he made a quick impression. Despite all this pressure though, we failed to find the net. Even when referee Mr Bull signalled 9 minutes remaining though, I was confident lady luck would be on our side. Broady was fed by Matt Davies and was poll-axed just inside the box leaving the ref with no alternative to point to the spot. Up stepped Sooty and he made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

There were some splendid displays, Richie Carr and Chal had great games but Ady and Sam, Gresford's answer to Ant and Dec gave the Man of the Match award to Sooty.

That famous Jingle Belles classic melody summed up a good days work “Oh what fun it is to see the Rezzies win away”

The TWA Tea award was unanimously given to Hughsey. Those eagle eyed followers witnessed him fall in the river and do thirty lengths down stream going in search of the ball.

TEAM: 1. Mike Price (8) 2. Graham Sutcliffe (9) 3. Paul Chaloner (8) 4. Richie Carr (8) 5. Luke Peate (8) 6. Owen Roberts (8) 7. Darren Jones (8) 8. Matt Davies(8) 9. Paul Jones (8) 10. Chris Broadhurst (8) 11. Robbie Jones (8) Subs. 12. Jared Tindle 14. Chris Hughes (8) 15. Danny Gronnow (8)