Match Details
Date: Saturday 04 November 2017
Result: 1-2 (lost)
Starting XI- Josh Roberts, Jamie Foulkes, Nic Jones, Jack Richards, Dion Gibbins, Daniel Cox, Andrew Jones, Kien Morris, Jimmy Jones, Conner Kendrick, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Owain Parry, Aaron Holman, Tom Miller
Goalscorer(s):
Nic Jones
MOM: Nic Jones
Today's visitors to the Rock were Llanuwchlyn who have started the season brilliantly and if they win their games in hand they will top an extremely tough division.
Having already faced and lost 2-1 to today's opponents earlier in the season the lads knew exactly the type of test was ahead and it would be made harder with four experienced players in Sean Jones, Alex Williams, Nathan Williams & captain Paul Griffiths all unavailable. With A noticeable absence in the defensive area meant midfielder Nic Jones partnered Jamie Foulkes at center half with another midfielder Dion Gibbins was sacrificed to cover at right back. The returning Jack Richards making up the 4 across the back occupying the left back position.
In comparison to last season one noticeable difference is the increased depth in the squad and our ability to still field a strong squad when we have players unavailable. It was the Albion who started much the brighter taking the game to the men in yellow. 17 year old Kien Morris and 18 year old Dan Cox were winning the central midfield battle. We didn't have to wait long for the opener when a Jimmy Jones corner was met by the towering Nic Jones to give the Albion a deserved lead after 8 minutes. Following the goal the visitors began to ask a few questions of thier own but the lads stood up tall equaling everything that was asked. Robbo in the home goal remained largely untested. As the half wore on it become a bit of a midfield battle with Morris being a noticeable stand out player. His pace and power was reeking havoc and one or two yellows were dished out for late tackles on the 17 year old, one which left him hurt! Jimmy Jones who was busy in the first half nearly put cefn 2-0 up but his free kick from 30+ yards cannoned back off the crossbar bar. With HT approaching Llan drew level when the midfielder fired a cross in from the right which was nodded back central for an on rushing midfielder to pick his spot. The lads will be disappointed to have conceded a goal that could have been easily prevented. 1-1 HT
In the early exchanges of the Second half it was quite an even affair but it was Albion who looked the most likely. A big talking point came on the hour mark when an error at the back gifted the ball to the pacey Sam Evans who squared the ball across to his team mate to into an empty net to make it 1-2 against the run of play. From this moment it become all about Cefn Albion attacking and whether Llanuwchlyn could keep us out. For the entire remaining 30 minutes the lads have to be given full credit for the way they tried to grab a much deserved equaliser. It could have been a lot different having gone behind bit the lads threw everything at llan. We also have to give full to Llanuwchlyn who defended heroically. The goal mouth scramble footage epitomises this resilience when you could count at least 9 yellow shirts inside the 6 yard area all protecting their lead. On 85 minutes the visitors were reduced to 10 men when another late tackle went punished. Their card count was at least 5 booked and it was not surprising that they would have a player dismissed, the referee let way to much go unpunished! Despite a top effort to share the spoils unfortunately the lads were unable to break down the yellow wall but full credit for their efforts. At the full time whistle you could see what it meant to the visitors a result they worked hard for but one they know they were lucky to come away with. I'm sure for those who witnessed the game they will agree on the fact that the team were extremely unlucky today. A frustrating one to take and in some aspects to the away fixture which we dominated and lost to an 85th minute winner.
Lots of encouraging performances from the lads and plenty to learn from. Excellent news that Nathan Williams came through 90 minutes of reserve football unscathed. He continues his recovery from surgery and will be like a new signing for the club.
