Corwen 1-1 Cefn Albion
Match Details
Date: Friday 12 August 2016
Result: 1-1 (draw)
Starting XI- Jamie Rawlinson, Sean Jones, Paul Griffiths (c), Nathan Williams, Jack Richards, Wez Parry, Darnell Prescott, Stuart Thornley, Nic Jones, Alex Williams, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Les Morris, Owain Parry, Sam Roberts, Lloyd Royce
Goalscorer(s):
Oliver Davies
MOM: Nathan Williams
A 93rd minute equaliser from the home team cancelled out a superb Oliver Davies opener to deny us all three points in our season opener and first ever game in the WNL Premier Division.
With the start of the new season finally upon us, you could sense there was a lot of excitement in the air amongst the squad and the travelling supporters who made the 35 minute journey up to Corwen on Friday night. Having been crowned champions of the WNL division one last season the team were stepping into the unknown and there was no tougher place to visit than Corwen, especially on a week night.
With a strong wind evident after winning the toss our captain Paul Griffiths opted to tackle the wind and kick against. If the truth is to be told, as expected we had to defend a lot of Corwen pressure in the first half but it was clear that the game plan was working with our lads being more than a match for anything that the home team offered, the back four in Sean Jones, Paul Griffiths, Nathan Williams and Jack Richards were well organised and defended resiliently. They of course were helped out by Jamie Rawlinson in goal, the lads leading the line and in midfield. A great team effort led us into the break at 0-0.
Second half, with the wind behind us we began to take the game to Corwen more and it was becoming more apparent that Nic Jones and Stuart Thornley in the middle started to make their mark on the game. On 55 minutes our efforts were rewarded when a surging run from debutant Stuart Thornley was completed with a perfectly placed ball into Oli Davies who made no mistake & finished fantastically well across the keeper giving him no chance. The home team huffed and puffed to try and find an equaliser but the team stood tall, bodies were put on the line and the defending was brilliant. Just when it looked like the Corwen were running out of ideas a long throwing in the 93rd minute was bundled in. A small lack of concentration led to a disappointing equaliser for the hosts.
We of course were disappointed to concede a late goal but Corwen is a tough place to visit especially on week night and offered the draw prior to kick off we probably would have taken it. However, we will take all the positives from the game, we looked like a group of lads who wanted to fight for each other tonight so we will take the point and concentrate on Llay Welfare at home on Wednesday night.(sponsored by Cefn Aerials)
Also we must mention, and thank the travelling Cefners who turned up in their numbers once again tonight and backed the lads to the end! You always know when the Cefners are in town...there is always a big crowd!
