Ardal North League Cup

1st Round

Saturday 9th September 2023

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.32

Llanuwchllyn 3 Llansantffraid Village 1, attendance 45

40’ 0-1 (pen)

48’ 1-1

49’ 2-1

54’ 3-1

@ Cae Llan

Llanuwchllyn Village Hall

Church Street

Llanuwchllyn

LL23 7TY

£4 Admission, including Programme, 8 pages.

Following an overnight stay in Shropshire, it was a pretty straightforward drive into Wales this afternoon. Llanuwchllyn is a couple of miles south west of Bala. My route from leaving the A5 near Knockin, took me via a very spectacular and scenic route through the mountains as I entered Snowdonia National Park, taking me past Lake Tegid (Bala Lake), which was absolutely heaving with people, on another glorious day weather wise, although far too hot for football.

The two clubs play in the Ardal North East League, with this being 4th versus 3rd in the league table. As expected, they were evenly matched and that, along with the searing heat, meant goal chances were at a premium. It certainly doesn’t help when drinks breaks (one in each half) disrupt the game either. Llanuwchllyn did hit the post early on, but the only goal of the half arrived five minutes before the break, going the way of the visitors, converting from the penalty spot. Three minutes into the second half Llanuwchllyn drew level, nicking the ball from a defender before shooting high into the top corner at the near post. A minute later they were in front, chesting down a cross from the right before volleying an unstoppable shot over the ‘keeper and within five minutes it was 3-1, when a 50/50 challenge saw the ball break perfectly for a player following in and he finished low into the bottom corner. Llansantffraid did hit the post late on, but they never really looked like rescuing the game.

The match day programme was certainly one not worth bothering with, perhaps why it’s given away free. Apart from the front cover, where the visiting team spelling is missing a T, there were only two pages that weren’t adverts and I note that the official attendance given on the Cymru App is 23 higher than my headcount at the game!

The ground here, situated behind the village hall, on the left hand side as you enter the village on the B4403 when coming from Bala, is developing into a tidy little set up. A seated stand, another small section of cover in one corner and hard standing along one side and behind the near goal. There are dugouts on the far side and although you can watch from that side, it is just long grass underfoot, whilst the far goal end is out of bounds. There is also a tea bar. Oh, and the scenic views are superb! From the ground entrance you can even see Bala Lake beyond the far goal. After today I’m just left with Llannefydd, in Ardal North West, to complete the top three levels in Wales.