HOLYWELL HIT LATE WINNER TO SINK TEN MEN ABERGAVENNY'S TROPHY HOPES

HOLYWELL TOWN 1 V ABERGAVENNY TOWN 0
FAW TROPHY SEMI FINAL @ CAERSWS FC [NEUTRAL VENUE] 21 MARCH 2015 2.30PM

HOYLWELL TOWN FC V ABERGAVENNY WITH MATCH OFFICIALS

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Holywell progressed to the FAW Trophy final against Penrhyndeudraeth FC when Tom McElmeel reacted first to head home after Staurt Hayes had crashed his shot against the cross bar with just ten minutes left.  However for much of this game Abergavenny had possessed the upper hand even after the sending off of Craig Norman after 32 minutes.

A WARM GREETING ON THE SINGLE LINE AT CAERSWS STATION

So as ever the day started early for a trip to Mid Wales from base and after standing for an hour on the train to Birmingham for the change of trains it was a relief to get a seat on the Arriva service to Caersws.  The Welsh countryside becomes progressively more beautiful as we first enter Welshpool then Newtown, who have a tantalising game versus Aberystwyth today, and then onto the single line track we arrive at the lovely Caersws station just on the edge of the village.

CAERSWS FISH BAR ANOTHER REASON TO VISIT CAERSWS

The village is in a small but attractive setting and when I arrived at the ground later in bright sunshine it confirmed to me why I love the Welsh hops The Recreation ground home of Caersws FC sat snuggly into this glorious setting.


THE GROUND TO THE LEFT OF THE
BRIDGE WILL YOU GO UNDER OR OVER

Before the small amble was made to the ground I had researched were to eat in this village which has a population of just over 1,500 and with a couple of public houses, mini-market shops, butchers I guessed I would be ok.  But that research had also revealed the Caersws Fish Bar which had gained itself some cracking reviews from locals and travellers alike.  Its not difficult to find follow your nose to Station Road, 1 minute, from the station and the premises look smart and clean from outside and this is completely re endorsed when you enter.  I managed to have a quick chat with the owner Tim who is frying and while chatting I'm supplied with my fish and chips in a novel style fish and chips bag to eat as I search out the streets of Caersws.  Tim, Girvek Chef [look it up I'am] gave me his business card which shows his abilities in strength training and nutrition and as a breaking muscle coach!   The fish and chips, I here you say, fantastic I advised a selection of supporters of the premises and hopefully they took up the opportunity to sample some of the best fish and chips the blog has come across.  Its been a good week with a visit to another favourite The Jolly Frier in Dronfield sadly a little nearer than my 3 1/2 hour jaunt to Mid Wales today.  But Caersws Fish Bar will beckon me to come back to see a Caersws game soon, food fully enjoyed guys!

HOLYWELL TOWN ARRIVE UNDER THE BRIDGE

So enough about the food and following a small walk around the village and a look at The Presbeytarian Church of Wales and a pop into The Spar and Costcutter to put a little more into the local coffers..  Passing The Unicorn the bridge over the River Severn is successfully negotiated as it is quite narrow and with Abergavenny supporters and Holywell supporters heading towards the village its a tricky passing with fairly busy traffic out in the village too.  As soon as you have crossed the bridge the ground is down a small lane to the right which has a very narrow and very low tunnel going under the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth train line. 

THE RECREATION GROUND OVERVIEW

HOLYWELL FAN GLYN OWEN SPORTING HIS
COLOURS TEAM AND COUNTRY

The is a footpath to the right that crosses the line but most people use the tunnel with a courteous glance at cars passing through keeping their wing mirrors intact.  Coming out the other side the ground and scenery all lies in front of you, to the right a car park with at the side a training round before lying behind The Recreation Ground.
The blog received a warm welcome from the gatemen and stewards at Caersws, well done guys a credit to your Huws Gray Cymru Alliance Club, indeed it was only a few years ago that this pretty ground was adorning the Welsh Premier League.  The ground itself as you walk towards it has a nicely raised tarmac trackway which leads to a further car park to the left.  Behind the immediate goal and the opposite end for that matter are uncovered, to the right opposite the main stand is an Atcost stand along with as is usual in Wales the massive purpose built TV gantry for those WPL days.  The main stand as the players tunnel coming out of its middle standard in the old days but so many grounds have players entrances all over the place today.  On the near side to where you enter by the side of the stand is a small covered standing enclosure and before that a very large and well appointed snack bar which to the rear doubles up as hospitality and sponsors lounge also in this rear court yard is the toilet block which was clean and easily accessible.  To the rear of the main stand is a fantastic view of the hills surrounding Caersws FC. 


ABERGAVENNY BENCH READY FOR THE START

A further point of reference here is the distance between both sets of dug outs they appear nearer the corner flags than the halfway lines but probably handy for any problem games.  The pitch at Caersws is disappointing but again clubs have had to put up with bad weather and wet at that this summer so we need not be too harsh but it would affect the game I believe.
The blog was at Abergavenny's previous Trophy game at Llandudno Junction and it was good to catch up with Secretary Rob Francis before the game and have a chat about todays game.  We have also covered Holywell's FAW Cup game versus Aberystwyth a month or so ago and met Steve Roberts The Wellmens Secretary who kept the blog well informed and assisted in its visit to Halkyn Road and Steve was as warm today in his greeting.  I also made a point on my visit to Holywell of saying how friendly the supporters were at this club when we visited and it was great to catch up with a few of them today who remembered me from that visit and yes they were equally as friendly, thanks guys.  The Abergavenny supporters were also now arriving and with a large contingent of noisy supporters who continued to support Aber all afternoon Holywell had competition in the vocal support stakes.

ARE YOU SURE ITS NOT A FOOT SHORT?

Just before the game it was rather worrying to see an official going around the ground with a civil engineers measurement wheel, were we going to get a game called off for wrong pitch measurements?!  Thankfully nothing seemed to come of this otherwise you could guess how pleased I would have been, haha.

The game then well it started off at a frantic pace and within the first minute Craig Norman was booked for Abergavenny when he may have received a red card.  But The Gwent County side were chomping away at Holywell on all fronts with a game of tremendous pace clearing their lines often with a big ball and working so hard to deny Holywell the chance to play their free flowing football.  The work rate and 100 mile an hour nature of the game from both sides was not helping with tackles flying in at times from Abergavenny.  Holywell were looking very edgy as they looked to stem wave after wave of attack from the South Wales side. 

REFEREE WILLIAMSON ISSUES ABERGAVENNYS CRAIG NORMAN A RED CARD

The goal was not coming for Abergavenny and on 32 minutes their task was made harder when the already booked Craig Norman went down in the box referee Williamson adjudged he had taken a dive and after a moments thought realised he had to produce a second yellow for the Aber number 6 and subsequently a red card.

This seemed not to affect Abergavenny who continued to press and have much the better of the first half when the half time whistle went I guess Holywell were pleased to get back to the dressing rooms for a bit of reorganisation.
The second half was a more even affair with Holywell just shading it with Abergavenny seemingly finding it harder to mount consistent attacks.  Overall it was a game of few chances and just as it looked like the blogs third 0-0 in a row and extra time, and who knows penalties, it was Holywell who scored from probably their first clear chance of the game. 

HOLYWELL'S TOME MCELMEEL LINES HIMSELF UP TO HEAD IN THE WINNER

The clock moved into the last ten minutes and Stuart Hayes crashed a glorious shot against the crossbar and as the ball flew back into play Tom McElmeel was first to react to head home the rebounded ball into the Abergavenny net.  Prompting wild scenes of delight with McElmeel going off with his teammates to cup their ears in front of the noisy Abergavenny supporters to see if this had quietened them down.  In fairness to them they took it in their stride and continued to support their side who in the closing stages through Dan Barnard's break could so easily and probably deservedly equalised but his shot flew wide under the attention of the back tracking Holywell defence.

THE JOY AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

At half time most supporters were predicting one goal would win the game and with four minutes of stoppage time drawing a blank as approached 4.15pm that's the way it proved.  Holywell experienced sheer delight and for Abergavenny, who had played with 10 men for nigh on an hour, their fantastic efforts had left them drained but surely able to look back on a tremendous FAW Trophy journey.  Defeat left them able to see out their season at the top of The Gwent County Senior League and hopefully for them ultimately promotion to The Welsh National League set up for the Pen y Pound outfit.

THE DESPAIR AT FULL TIME

Todays game was a hard fought battle at times but with so much at stake these games are very rarely attractive footballing occasions but this one was intriguing and completely attention grabbing from start to finish.
Well done to both side for providing a game that the blog fully enjoyed and to Caersws for hosting the game of which a mention to the superb PA system which was clear, loud and playing a good selection of music.
A head count saw me reach around 170 in attendance and the only down side was a poor programme for this semi final, 8 pages with team picture and individuals.  Disappointingly no write ups or even welcome from FAW the programme was only a pound but surely there should have been a little more pride in todays game from whoever was responsible for the production.
Thankfully with a relatively early finish the 1634 departure was made, saving a further two hour wait, although of course I could have and probably would have re visited the Caersws Fish Bar again!  With a smooth change in Birmingham and a seat for the journey back secured base was reached just after 8pm.
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THIS WEEKS STATION SHOT AT CAERSWS YOU CANT
BEAT A SLEEK 158 CAN YOU?