F.A. Wales Amateur Trophy
1st Round
Saturday 7th September 2024
Kick Off 14.00 On Time!
Llannefydd 2 Corwen 1, attendance 75 (official)
7’ 1-0
65’ 2-0
81’ 2-1
@ Cae Llan
Llannefydd
LL16 5EA
£4 Admission
£2 Programme, 24 pages.
My original plan for this afternoon was to do Cei Connah versus Brymbo, but with the morning game at Yr Wyddgrug having been postponed, I wasn’t time restricted, so opted to tick off one of the two remaining teams I’d yet to visit in the Ardal North West League (Tier 3 in Wales) and opted for Llannefydd (the other being N.F.A. in Rhyl, who were at home in a league match). Firstly, it was a more awkward journey if coming from home and secondly, it was kicking off half an hour earlier (2pm, not 2.30 as stated on the programme). It also helped that this was a more reliable league and both clubs were up to date with their social media.
As this wasn’t my intended game, I hadn’t really done any research, so just put the postcode in the SatNav and took a steady scenic drive West from Mold. I ended up at a farm, having been taken left at the Hawk and Buckle Inn as I came into the village. I should have continued straight on, where the ground is the last thing on the left, just as you reach the national speed limit signs. There is a small car park, as well as more spaces along the grass verge just beyond the entrance. There is a pay booth, where match programmes are also available. I don’t always buy one these days, unless it’s the only way a club can actually take any money, but am glad I did today. If I hadn’t, I probably (definitely) wouldn’t have been aware of the quirky fact that the home team are one player short of being able to field a full Jones eleven! Williams were next best represented, with four listed for Corwen and three for the hosts. The Referee would certainly have his work cut out if dishing out red/yellow cards….wouldn’t want to see the wrong players getting suspensions!
Once inside, there are two seated kit stands along the right hand side and the pitch is railed on three sides, with the left hand side housing the dugouts and out of bounds to spectators. The far goal end is the only section without hard standing, whilst the changing rooms are in the corner, at the goal end nearest the road. There is also a tea bar, which did excellent burgers and the usual hot/cold drinks and sweets etc. All the club officials/volunteers were very friendly and I’d certainly recommend those who’ve yet to visit, to add it to their list.
Although it was a cup match, these two are in the same league, with this being 11th versus 10th, as far as league positions go and they’d drawn 3-3 in a league fixture here just 10 days ago. Llannefydd got off to the perfect start, smashing in an indirect free kick from 15 yards after seven minutes. Despite being well on top, they didn’t add their second goal until midway through the second half, when having hit the crossbar, before the ball was scrambled away for a corner, the resulting kick was headed in from six yards by Tom Jones, for his second goal of the game. I asked a local if he regularly scores two in a game. His reply?….”it’s not unusual”! Corwen made it interesting when they pulled a goal back with nine minutes left, cutting in from the right and shooting against the post, before the rebound was put into the far corner. They pressed hard for an equaliser, with their ‘keeper going up for every corner/free kick in the dying minutes, but Llannefydd held on for a deserved win. Unfortunately, for Corwen, it just goes to show, you can’t always ‘keep up with the Jones’s’.
Journey into North Wales this morning was via M54 and A5, A541 once past the West Midlands and home via the A55 and M6 for the return, getting back 14 hours after I’d set off. In the end, an excellent day out, albeit a long one.
