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GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2 RUTHIN COLTS 1
By Captain Web

Not all goes to plan in a season and Ady and Sam were forced into making five changes again for the first league encounter of the New Year.

Robbie was out injured so Chris Hughes came in on the right, Craig Trow was unavailable and Mike Price was handed the gloves. Huw, Chal and Matt “the fish” Williams joining the first team – Dazzer was not 100% fit so as a precaution he went on the bench.

We had our largest crowd of the season, 27 in all, who were well aware that we are hitting a purple patch and we are the side to watch at the moment and it was pleasing that the villagers turned out in good numbers !!

In the first ten minutes we created four clear cut chances with Gareth Pugh Jones, Broady and Matt in the thick of the action. There wasn't the normal fluency about our game though and we lacked rhythm. Enter centre stage, the entertainment from my good old hound dog Paddy who really took a big shine to Owen and he played ‘wheelbarrows' with him for a full 20 minute spell !!

Back to the pitch, we got the deserved breakthrough on the half hour mark when Richie Carr was quick to react to a high lofted ball and he nodded the ball home from close range.

Almost immediately, Ruthin were back on level terms when Simon Hulse punished some hesitancy in central defence and he raced clear to poke the ball past Pricey who had his first touch of the match taking the ball out of the back of the net.

On the stroke of half time we did get our noses back in front when Chris Hughes chased a total lost cause. He panicked the keeper into a needless mistake and he conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box which was despatched by Wyn Jones.

We lost our tempo again in the second half with Sooty soon making way for Darren with Luke switching to the centre.

Mid way through the half, Owen was rescued from the clutches of Paddy and came on for Chris Hughes who had played his best game so far for us. Richie Carr who was kicked up and down dale also came off with a damaged ankle so Huw Birkdale had another run out.

Once more we were forced to hang on in the end but what an impact Luke, Darren, Huw Birko and Hughsey are making at the moment and deserve heaps of praise.

For me, I found it difficult to single out a man of the match. It is a shame we can't have Wyn every week, he is a master craftsman, Pricey was solid, Haggis showed some great defending qualities, the Likely Lads in midfield Keeno and Cargo again looked composed and Broady is proving to be find of the season.

In another of his post match exclusive interviews Ady was an incredibly happy bunny. “I think Sam summed up the day well for me when he said what a difficult team we are to beat. It is difficult at times when you have to make between 3 and 6 changes every week but nobody moans and the talented teenagers continue to get their chance.

I was rushed into making man of the match and although Broady got the free pint, but after taking feedback from his fellow players, it was Keeno who got the nod this week. He never gives the ball away cheaply, he is always available and he read the game well.”

MOM Paul Jones

TWA – Tea Award Owen Roberts

After flirting with Paddy on the touch line, it was rather naughty of him to get Paddy's lipstick out. The sin wasn't for be humped by the dog but for enjoying it.

TEAM: 1. Mike Price (8) 2. Luke Peate (8) 3. Steve Sutcliffe (8) 4. Steve Halliwell (8) 5. Wyn Jones (8) 6. Gaz Pugh-Jones (8) 7. Richie Carr (8) 8. PAUL JONES (9) 9. Chris Hughes (8) 10. Chris Broadhurst (8) 11. Matt Davies (8) SUBS: 12. Owen Roberts (8) 14. Darren Jones (8) 15. Huw Birkdale (8)