Central Wales League
Southern Division
Tuesday 8th April 2025
Kick Off 18.30Actual 18.27!
Llanilar 1 Penparcau 3, attendance 35
7’ 1-0
35’ 1-1
52’ 1-2
62’ 1-3
@ Castle Hill Field
B4575
Llanilar
SY23 4SA
£3 Admission
No Programme.
Having stayed overnight in Newcastle Emlyn, it was a journey of around 50 minutes up the A487 coast road towards Aberystwyth for my second successive game in this league. Castle Hill Field is right in the centre of the village, adjacent to the village shop. The players get changed at the Community Centre, then walk from there, which, including the walk across to the pitch from the entrance, must be a good 250 yards. Not something you’d expect at a Tier 4 ground. The pitch, which had a slight slope, is actually a farmers field, with the playing area fenced off with wooden stakes and mesh wiring acting as infills, helping to keep the ball from going too far when not in play and acting as a barrier to keep the sheep out, as well as their droppings! There are a couple of Perspex dugouts, but that’s it! No toilets. Nothing….apart from a lovely rural setting and scenic backdrop whichever way you looked.
Unusually, considering it was in the same league, tonight’s game was scheduled for an 18.30 start, fifteen minutes later than last night. Everyone was there in good time though and we actually got underway three minutes early.
The match was 10th versus 6th in the league table, both out of the running as far as winning the league goes, but also well clear of the bottom places too. Llanilar went ahead after seven minutes, beating the offside trap before finishing from the edge of the box. Penparcau levelled ten minutes before halftime, when a long ball from inside their own half was met with a cushioned volley from 10 yards that gave the ‘keeper no chance. The visitors went ahead seven minutes into the second half, cutting in from the left and beating the ‘keeper at the near post. Ten minutes later it was 1-3, when a corner from the right was headed in at the far post. Despite the visitors having a man sent off with eight minutes left, picking up his second yellow card, they easily hung on to take all three points, enhancing their chances of a fourth place finish.
Even having kick off 15 minutes later than last night’s game, there was no problem whatsoever with getting the game in before darkness fell and the light was still good at the 20.04 final whistle. Despite being a warm sunny day, it got cool towards the end, as the sun dropped behind the hills. With the last two nights having gone to plan, it leaves me just Bont now to complete the league.
