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Match
Report by Huwsi
Complacency
nearly cost United dearly against lowly Vale
Considering the league table statistics, this encounter
should have been a stroll in the park for United, however
that should have been the case at Holywell on Monday evening
when United lost by two goals to nil to Halkyn Utd in
the second round of the NWCFA Senior Challenge Cup - so
much for statistics!
For
the second time this season David Noel Williams was unavailable
due to medical advise, which, I hasten to add is nothing
to do with Carl Wayne's stag weekend in Cardiff, but,
didn't the same thing happen following his own stag weekend
in Cardiff?! Some free-kicks in this game had Charlie
written all over them, however that wasn't to be and hence
maybe the narrow margin of victory? Back in the starting
line-up came Gareth Eifion Jones following his suspension
and Mathew Phillips was fit again to boost United's strike
force.
The
first 63 minutes was indeed a stroll in the park, with
the same old story of lack of quality finishing the only
factor in dictating the score line of 0-1 at half time.
However an unforced error in the 63rd minute gave Vale
a glimmer of hope, and helped them pile the pressure on
United's rearguard!
The
surface at the Maes Dulyn Ground did nothing to help United's
passing game and maybe was Vale's 12th man (oops, sorry,
I forgot for a second who the Referee was - the club secretary
will be busy on Friday morning with his report writing!).
Within 3 minutes United were attacking strongly when Gareth
Eifion easily beat two midfielders and released Carl Griffiths
into the area, but he could not compete with the uneven
ground. A minute later Dan Pyrs had the chance to take
the lead with a 30 yard David Noel's territory free-kick,
but his effort went well over the bar. Two minutes later
and Vale had their first (and only!) chance of the half,
when Dan lost the ball cheaply on Vale's 18 yard line,
a long clearance was well controlled by Vale's striker
but his poor finishing never threatened Luke (thank God,
I heard he had another nightmare on Monday!).
The
resulting goal kick resulted in a bizarre incident, Chris
Joyce floated the ball in from the left flank, some 35
- 40 yards out, and everyone by the dugouts thought the
ball had gone over the keeper and into the net, I still
can't believe it wasn't a goal, but the referee gave a
goal kick - but that's not conclusive proof considering
who the ref was! With 10 minutes gone it was Gareth Eifion
who stepped up to take a free-kick, some 35 yards out
he was on target to the keeper's right but didn't really
threaten the custodian.
United
had another chance to take the lead on 15 minutes when
Gethin Phillips delivered one of his many Delap style
throws into the area, brother Mathew's effort was blocked
but Vale failed to clear and had someone from United gambled
and followed in then it would have been unmissable. A
minute later and an identical throw from Gethin, this
time the keeper shouted and came out to collect but completely
missed and the ball fell nicely to Carl Griffiths who
made no mistakes from within the 6 yard area, 0-1. Three
minutes later and United should have doubled the lead,
Eifion Williams won the ball in his own half, released
Mathew Phillips on the left side who took the ball wide
into the area, and with Gavin Edwards free some 10 yards
out Mathew should have checked the ball across, but his
indecision resulted in neither a cross nor effort and
easily claimed by the keeper.
Dan
Pyrs should have done better on 27 minutes when he headed
wide from another fine throw by Gethin Phillips, but I
think something caught his eye, he must have seen Llanrug's
Mr DA Jones behind the goal, and realising that it was
still the first half it confused him and hence he took
his eye off the ball! Mr Jones must have thought it was
a 17:45 kick off! Chris Joyce stepped-up for the next
free-kick, Gareth Eifion once again fouled on the half
hour mark, some 30 yards out Joyce connected well and
his thunderous strike hit the right upright, which I'm
sure was still rattling at half time! The final 15 minutes
of the half saw Gareth Eifion, Andrew Williams and Dan
Pyrs get chances to increase the advantage, but all went
begging, half time still 0-1.
United
started the second half much brighter and were determined
to put the game to bed and claim the points. Gavin Edwards
doubled the score within two minutes when he controlled
well an Eifion Williams (Reina style) long ball and coolly
chipped over the keeper from around 10 yards. Fifty five
minutes gone and it all seemed over for Vale when Gareth
Eifion's free kick from 25 yards was stopped by the keeper,
but he dropped the ball and Mathew Phillips pounced to
tap in. His protest went rewarded with a yellow card.
It
was all United until the 63rd minute when the left back
forgot the lessons Conwy taught him at Eithin Duon and
he attempted a back pass with his head when he should
have cleared. The pass was again short and instead of
returning to his line Luke pursued the ball and got flustered
and with a rush of blood he brought down Vale's front
man, blatant penalty which Vale's Adam Jackson converted
with ease. This gave Vale some hope and resulted in a
very uncomfortable 20 minutes or so for United, with the
ball in the United area more often than not, shouts for
another penalty came on 66 minutes when the assistant
Referee flagged for a hand ball, but for once the Ref
got it right and quite rightly dismissed Vale's appeals.
Seventy minutes and Vale were awarded a free kick some
30 yards out, a grass cutter went passed everyone but
an easy pick-up for Luke. Seventy one minutes and another
identical free kick, this time a powerful strike rattled
the bar, straight out to a Vale head and hit the bar again,
out again and with Luke stuck to the spot it was left
to Eifion to head clear.
Five
minutes later and the referee was determined to help Vale,
another free kick. On the corner of the 18 yard box but
wasted and proved to be their last chance as United had
ridden the storm and pulled together. With six minutes
remaining Mathew Phillips had a golden opportunity to
seal things, Gavin Edwards showed great control and took
the ball wide on the right and delivered a great cross
(one of many) to Mathew on the 18 yard line but his effort
went high and wide. The final action of the game saw Gavin
get a half chance, Dan Pyrs drove a cross from the right
flank, and with goal in sight a defender managed the slightest
of touches with his head which took the ball beyond the
control of Gavin and out of a goal kick.
Not
the greatest of contests, but a much needed win and points
on the table for United. Next up Amlwch on Saturday who
have not won a single game this season, let's hope we
can kill the game off early and CJ, Luke does not do close
range back passes, nor high lobs, nor talk, nor ……….
LLANRUG
UTD:
Luke Hughes, Gethin Phillips (Alex Hickey - 78 mins),
Chris Joyce, Carl Wayne Jones, Eifion Williams, Gareth
Eifion Jones (Gwion Llwyd - 87 mins), Dan Pyrs, Mathew
Phillips, Carl Griffiths, Gavin Edwards, Andrew Williams
(Gavin Rogerson - 73 mins).
SUBS
(Not Used):
Gwyn Pritchard Jones.
MAN
OF THE MATCH : Dan Pyrs
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2008/2009 