Cefn Albion v Llay Welfare
Match Details
Date: Saturday 27 January 2018
Result: 2-1 (won)
Starting XI- Josh Roberts, Jamie Foulkes, Nic Jones, Paul Griffiths (c), Nathan Williams, Dion Gibbins, Daniel Cox, Andrew Jones, Kien Morris, Conner Kendrick, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Tom Miller, Kyle Evans, Zac Davies
Goalscorer(s):
Conner Kendrick (2)
On Saturday, Cefn Albion welcomed an in form Llay Welfare to the rock for the reverse fixture from a very tough 4-3 away win at the ring in early December. The team for return fixture was much the same as the one that started the away match with the only exception being the absence of the influential Alex Williams who was replaced with last week’s match winner Andrew Jones.
If truth be told the opening 10 minutes were a very scrappy affair with neither team taking a strangle hold of the game. Early in the game the Albion were dealt a blow when full back Jamie Foulkes felt a reoccurrence of an injury sustained at Saltney a fortnight ago, he had to make way and on come 17-year-old Kyle Evans who was making his first team debut. As the half wore on Llay began to win more battles all over the pitch and started to apply some pressure on the Cefn goal.
The away team were working hard and their efforts were preventing Albion getting their well-known passing going, from a home perspective it was disappointing considering the way the lads have played in the three previous league wins. Eventually after around 30 minutes, the pressure from the away team was rewarded and following a corner kick that was not dealt with the Llay striker converted a chance after a neat bit of play. Despite the desperate efforts of the defenders and Robbo on the goal line, they could not keep it out and the visitors took a deserved lead into the interval.
Whatever the manager said at half time it clearly had the whole team more fired up, from the first second half minute the lads looked to have much more fight and we were seeing the midfield trio finally starting to link play quickly from defence to attack and winning far more balls. Cefn were in the dependency and It was now their turn to enjoy applying some pressure and creating chances. We didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser when after a fine through ball by Nathan Williams was met by leading scoring Conner Kendrick who sprang the offside trap (although I’m sure a few llay fans would disagree . where is VAR when you need it!!) and finished fantastically low into the bottom corner. The Albion tails were up! Cefn were now in firm control of the game and attacking frequently down both wings, the lads had the bit between their teeth and were on the receiving end of one or two tasty challenges being drawn from Llay defenders as they desperately hung on to an even game. If truth be told, despite the dominance Cefn struggled to create many clear-cut chances and it was llay who created two good chances on the break. Robbo, who was excellent throughout making two great saves.
It was fitting that shortly after making a couple of good saves it was Robbo who started the move that brought the crucial goal for Cefn to go take the lead. He played the ball out to Nic jones who’s perfectly weighted ball found the tireless Oliver Davies on the left wing. Oli dug a great ball out from under his feet and Conner Kendrick met the cross for a tap in from close range. Question marks may be asked from the Llay shot stopper but but fair play to Conner for anticipating his mistake and showing his goal scoring instinct to take his league tally to 8.
After getting the goal Albion largely shut up shop and showed a new found steeliness to see the game out and show a fantastic team discipline. The win sees the boys pick up 12 from their last four league fixtures, which is a fantastic run in a very competitive league. The win moves Cefn Albion into joint 3rd place, which is a good position at the half waypoint (14 games played).
We would like to say a very big thank you to both sets of supporters and Alix and Pete Daniels of Pubby Mcpubface for their match sponsorship.
This report was written by a Cefn Albion supporter who attended the game. We would like to thank them for the report.
#UPTHEALBION
