Match Details
Date: Saturday 02 December 2017
Result: 3-4 (won)
Starting XI- Josh Roberts, Jamie Foulkes, Nic Jones, Paul Griffiths (c), Nathan Williams, Dion Gibbins, Daniel Cox, Alex Williams, Kien Morris, Conner Kendrick, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Zac Davies, Darnell Prescott, Andrew Jones
Goalscorer(s):
Conner Kendrick
Daniel Cox
Alex Williams
Kien Morris
Following a two week break due to cup competitions and no fixture respectively the first team were back in league action as they travelled to Llay Welfare, a team who had been picking up some impressive results of late.
Prior to the start of the game both sets players were called into the center to be spoken to by the man in the middle who made it very clear that he would not be afraid to use his cards for the encounter, a firm dressing down from the referee. It was atrocious weather conditions at the Ring but it was Albion who started the game much better showing real asking questions from the off. The lads were rewarded for their fine start when Conner Kendrick continued his fine goal scoring form to break the deadlock. Soon after taking the lead the Welfare were gifted an equaliser when to everyone’s amazement the referee awarded a soft penalty which was dispatched to make it 1-1. As the game wore on Cefn were the more dominant and were surprisingly playing some excellent football on a dreadful pitch which was cutting up further as the rain continued to pour down. Daniel Cox deservedly restored the Albion’s lead when his shot across goal nestled into the bottom corner. In addition to the terrible playing conditions both sets of players were also having a tough time with the man in the middle who was punishing almost everything and brandishing cards at will. HT 1-2.
In typical second half fashion the lads started slow but despite this never really looked threatened by the home team. However, the welfare scored the most dubious second goal when a ball bouncing at head height was blatantly handled by their striker to which they went on to score from. After harshly conceding a second goal the frustration from the lads begin to show and a ropey 10 minutes followed to which Welfare went on to grab a third to take the lead for the first time on the afternoon. The lads were up against it and were now in a battle! With half hour still remaining the lads soon regained control and were creating attack after attack, they were testing a six man welfare defence to its maximum. Despite having long periods of sustain pressure, to their credit the home team did have one or two counter attacks which were dangerous, Albion needed to remain careful. With 10 minutes remaining Albion got their reward when an inch perfect cross from Dion Gibbins was met by the head of MOTM Alex Williams to deservedly level the game at 3-3. With 8 minutes remaining Oliver Davies went clean through on goal and was taken out by not only one chasing defender but two! Given the penalty that was awarded to Llay in the first half to everyone amazement the man in the middle deemed it a fair challenge! Just two minutes later justice was well and truly served when an excellent move was finished off superbly by the talented Kien Morris. A deserved victory and anything less the team would have every right to feel hard done to. On a disappointing note It was was poor to witness a game where there was not one dirty challenge yet there was at least several cards brandished which included one red for Llay in the 90th minute.
Great character from the lads and a big thank you to the supporters and the reserves lads who came to back the team. Awful conditions so a big pat on the back. We now look forward to Coedpoeth away next Saturday.
