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Match
Report by Huwsi
Ten
man United's disappointing defeat may still be salvaged
!
I'm sure Aled Owen's expectations for this encounter were
high, especially after taking into account the previous
two outings, and the disappointment of getting nothing
out of a hard battled encounter when Conwy came to Eithin
Duon three weeks ago. But a moment of madness saw United's
striker Gareth Eifion Jones see red after only 19 minutes
for kicking out off the ball. Although down to ten men,
it was not apparent when viewing from the sidelines, but
on a big pitch like Conwy's it proved a task too tough
for United's battlers.
Whilst
saying that though, Conwy did have an unfair advantage,
I'm not talking about the decisions of the referee and
his assistants (!) but through playing an ineligible player
in Ian Patterson. After scoring the winning goal in their
Barritt Cup game at Llanystumdwy on Saturday, he was sent
off and therefore was suspended for Wednesday's encounter.
Needless to say a protest has been lodged with the League
and the FAW!
The
only change to the starting line-up for United from the
previous Saturday against Rhydymwyn was the return from
suspension of Carl Wayne Jones in centre-back in place
of Ceirion Williams, and Martin Bohana, Gavin Rogerson
and Gwyn Pritchard Jones were on the bench.
It
only took 5 minutes for the hosts to take the lead, when
Chris Quinn latched on to a cross from the right and converted
low to the bottom left corner from just within the area.
Within two minutes the Musselmen had the chance to double
their lead; however the effort from around 25 yards bounced
in front of Luke Hughes between United's posts which he
was able to control.
From
thereon it was United applying all the pressure, Andrew
Williams forced a fine save from Conwy's keeper, when
he collected a throw-in down the right flank and made
his way into the area and unleashed his effort, but could
not find a way passed Conwy's custodian. Before ten minutes
had been played, United got another two crosses into the
six yard area from wide positions the first saw Dan Pyrs
collecting a throw-in from Andy, who advanced to the touch-line
but a fine cross was inches away from Gareth Eifion, as
was the second cross, this time from Andy Williams when
he was released by Gavin Edwards on the right side and
got a similar cross into the area.
United
discovered some true team spirit following the dismissal
of Gareth Eifion Jones after just 19 minutes, and to be
fair it was very difficult to distinguish that United
had only ten men on the field. The 31st minute came and
United were dealt a bitter blow, Conwy were awarded a
corner on the right side which was delivered high and
eluded nearly everybody bar the foot of Gethin Phillips,
but although hesitant and with no consultation from the
referee, the young assistant awarded a goal. It was not
an instant decision, and the hesitation should have encouraged
the referee to at least talk to him, however he blew for
a goal, I'm sure he needed a mug or Horlicks to ease his
conscience and help him sleep on Wednesday evening! Half
time and Conwy were up 2-0.
United
had most of the possession in the second half, and within
7 minutes of the resumption United had three chances to
score, the first fell to Andy when Gavin Edwards was once
again the provider finding him in the area, he ran across
the keeper but was clipped by a Conwy defender, had he
gone down it would have been a penalty but the ball rolled
out for a goal-kick. Next up was Gavin Edwards, he took
the ball into the area, his cross from the left was fumbled
by the keeper in the 6 yard box, but there was no one
there to finish. The third a slender chance when David
Noel Williams saw the keeper off his line, but his lob
went wide, and although chased by Gavin Edwards it went
out for a goal-kick.
Conwy's
third in the 51st minute was a gift and more or less killed
off United. Gethin Phillips' clearance from United's touch
line only made it some 18 yards, straight to Chris Quinn
who made no mistake, driving low passed Luke's right hand.
United although a man short were the only team in the
game for the last thirty minutes or so, but only one of
the many chances was taken in a fine move which involved
Gavin Edwards and David Noel. Eifion Williams delivered
a free-kick for off-side into the edge of Conwy's area,
which Gavin headed square to Charlie who advanced towards
goal and made no mistake from around six yards.
Gwyn
Pritchard Jones came on for Gethin Phillips after 63 minutes
when United went for three in the back to try and salvage
something from the game, and he made some inspiring runs
up field which helped United get the ball into the 18
yard line on numerous occasions but the forwards always
walked into trouble. The lack of the extra man up front
and lack of some clinical finishing was apparent, and
proved to be a very frustrating evening. I'm sure the
outcome would have been different had a little discipline
been shown in the first quarter of the match, but there's
no point dwelling. I'm not sure if this tie will have
to be played again due to 'Patto's' involvement, but more
infuriating was the revelation of rumour's that the real
reason the game was postponed the previous week was not
a waterlogged pitch but rather that the Musselmen didn't
have enough muscle to field 11?!
The
important factor for Saturday's match at Llanrwst will
be discipline. On the evidence of United's games against
Barmouth and Rhydymwyn they are capable of beating anyone
with eleven men; let's hope this episode has not dented
that ambition.
LLANRUG
UTD:
Luke Hughes, Gethin Phillips (Gwyn Pritchard Jones - 63
mins), Chris Joyce, Carl Wayne Jones, Eifion Williams
(Capt.), Carl Griffiths, Dan Pyrs, David Noel Williams,
Gareth Eifion Jones, Gavin Edwards (Gavin Rogerson - 81
mins), Andrew Williams.
SUBS
(Not used):
Martin Bohana.
MAN
OF THE MATCH : Eifion Williams
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2008/2009 