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Match
Report by Huwsi
Barmouth
taught a lesson in football by much improved United …
On Saturday we witnessed a performance by United that
I hadn't seen in a long while, a fact which was confirmed
by Barmouth's manager, when after the game he went to
the away dressing room and said United were the best side
they've played in recent weeks!
Back
in the starting line-up and fresh from their jaunt to
Blackpool were Eifion Williams, Carl Griffiths and Gareth
Eifion Jones and whatever they got up to in Blackpool
it certainly did the trick as they were raring to go from
the off, and I suppose went some way to redeem their untimely
absence last week. With no rally calling on Saturday,
Gavin Edwards also returned to the fold with a man of
the match performance which I'm sure was a hard decision
for Barmouth's manager, as all of United's players were
outstanding (yes, even CJ had a very good game, with
not a single back-pass to mention!). Also returning
to the squad were Gwyn Pritchard Jones, Marvin Pritchard
and Mathew Phillips is home from Cardiff for a month.
The
first 45 minutes was all United, and I feared that going
in half time with nothing to show for all the possession
and missed chances that United might be left ruing the
lost opportunities. The first chance fell to Carl Griffiths
in the 4th minute but his effort on the left side was
blocked but fell nicely to Andrew Williams on the right
side but the cross was easily claimed by Barmouth's keeper.
With just a couple of minutes gone Carl had another chance
but his chip went over the bar. Next up was Gareth Eifion
Jones, he strongly beat three defenders but his final
touch drove the ball a foot wide of the upright.
Barmouth's
first real effort came as a result of Carl Griffiths losing
the ball cheaply in the centre of the park, they took
the ball wide on the right but the cross was blocked for
a corner, the result of which saw Luke Hughes take the
ball high from the head of a Barmouth forward.
The
15th minute saw Gethin Phillips denied by Barmouth's custodian,
a David Noel Williams corner found Gethin but was cleared
off the line by the keeper, which was the same ten minutes
later when Gethin got a powerful far post header on target
from another Charlie corner but the keeper pulled off
a fine save. Barmouth were gifted with an opportunity
after 27 minutes, a very tame goal-kick by Luke Hughes
went straight to Barmouth's centre forward, but thankfully
his reply was tame and high!
Dan
Pyrs was once again on the receiving end of some harsh
treatment most of which once again went unpunished. One
that did catch the Ref's eye was a trip and resulting
push by ex-Llanrug midfielder Chris Griffiths after 28
minutes, a free-kick for the trip but nothing for the
push! Four minutes later and Barmouth were awarded a free-kick
some 30 yards out, but the effort went over the bar.
Dan
Pyrs won the ball in his own half after 36 minutes and
delivered a great cross forward to Gareth Eifion on the
left side, but the keeper came out of the box and cleared
from Gareth's feet. Carl Griffiths had another chance
to take the lead on 42 minutes when he controlled well
a Gethin Phillips throw-in but his shot went a yard wide.
A minute later Gareth Eifion was pulled back when he easily
beat his opponent, a blatant booking but the Ref thought
better of it, and Charlie's resulting free-kick from around
30 yards went a foot or so high and wide. HT, 0-0 all
United, but nothing to show for it!
The
second half started very much as the first had finished,
and apart from the last 10 minutes or so, it was once
again all United. Within two minutes Carl Griffiths and
Gareth Eifion linked well and Gareth got a fine cross
in from the left by-line but Andy Williams was inches
away from connecting in the 6 yard area. A minute later
and we were left bewildered when we saw Carl Griffiths
going into a tackle!! I don't know what went on in Blackpool,
but bring it on!!!
Fifty
minutes gone and Barmouth's keeper pulled off another
fine save, this time from the boot of Carl Griffiths,
who went passed a couple of defenders and shot from around
15 yards. Within a minute Barmouth broke down the left
flank, Luke Hughes was slow to react and come off his
line but thank God that facing an open goal the advancing
Barmouth player sliced his shot well wide. This did nothing
but to inspire the rest of the United squad, and within
a minute United had taken the lead, a very fine worked
and taken goal, Carl Griffiths found Gavin Edwards in
space on the right side, who then got a fine cross in
which Gareth Eifion converted from 6 yards, 0 - 1 and
a well deserved lead.
Not
to be outdone, David Noel Williams doubled the lead within
two minutes with a great solo effort, when he easily beat
two defenders and took the ball as cool as you like into
the area and into the net beyond the diving keeper from
around 12 yards, 0 - 2 and game all but over as far as
Barmouth were concerned. The next few minutes saw chances
fall to Andrew Williams and Carl Griffiths both initiated
by Gareth Eifion, but Andy's volley saw the ball came
down with moon-dust on it and Carl's effort in a move
started in his own half saw another fine save off Barmouth's
keeper.
The
62nd minute saw Barmouth get a rare sight at goal but
the effort went well wide from around 18 yards, then another
mistake by the referee saw Barmouth awarded with a free-kick
a yard outside the area when Dan Pyrs clearly won the
ball, but the Referee had his blinkers on, but justice
prevailed when the resulting free-kick struck United's
wall and into touch.
With
15 minutes remaining Chris Joyce won the ball in the centre
of the park and delivered a fine ball down the left flank
which saw Gareth Eifion reach the area but his effort
was blocked for a corner, it must be said the CJ did more
than turn up on Saturday!
In
the final ten minutes Barmouth applied some pressure but
never got a clear opportunity to score, however, down
the other end Carl Griffiths, Gareth Eifion and Gethin
Phillips had chances to extend the lead but by this time
the tempo of the game had taken it's toll, and there were
tired legs out there (perhaps it's better we don't
know the full extent of what went on in Blackpool!).
Let's hope that all the players deliver performances like
that every week from now on, as it was very pleasing on
the eye. Should have been five or six nil bar for the
great saves of the Barmouth custodian, but what the heck
a much improved performance and three points is all that
matter's by now!
A
wise Llanrug midfielder told me on Sunday morning (no
not Dan Pyrs, I said WISE!!) we taught Barmouth a
lesson in how to play football yesterday - I can only
agree.
Next
up sees United away to Conwy on Wednesday evening, who
are in for a shock if United play anything like they did
on Saturday, especially in light of the fright witnessed
against Conwy at Eithin Duon last Saturday - we live in
hope.
LLANRUG
UNITED: Luke
Hughes, Gethin Phillips, Chris Joyce, Carl Wayne Jones,
Eifion Williams (Capt.), Carl Griffiths, Dan Pyrs, David
Noel Williams, Gareth Eifion Jones (Marvin Pritchard -
89 mins), Gavin Edwards (Gwyn Pritchard-Jones - 87 mins),
Andrew Williams (Mathew Phillips - 68 mins).
MAN
OF THE MATCH : Gavin Edwards
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2008/2009 