WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE @ THE ROCK
14 APRIL 2017 --- 2.30PM
CEFN DRUIDS IN ACTION AT THE ROCK |
This I believe would be my hat trick of Welsh games for the season a poor return for a lover of the Welsh league scene but today would prove a friendly and entertaining day including in it a visit to a new ground in The Rock. Start was from base station just before 9.30 and with Bank Holiday's upon us this Good Friday would already feel like a Saturday as we entered the process of not having a clue what day it really was. First change was made at Stockport were we decided, being on time, to make the all stoppping Chester train after a brief comfort stop we were soon standing for the first time as we headed for Wales. The Holyhead to Lllanelli Arrive train service, now there's a journey and a half, was pretty rammed at arrival and departure. As ever though this brought its benefits when our 20 minute journey to Ruabon station saw us meet a couple of Wrexham fans from Colwyn Bay and we had the chance to talk about the Racecourse Ground or Glyndwr University Stadium or whatever title it parades under at present. Anyway superb old ground with a lovely new curved stand and a club crying out for a return to league footy good to meet you guys keep the belief in your club.
THE PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT |
Our walk to Cefn Mawr took us along the busy B5605 and with the adjacent railway line following us it would have been great to have seen the old Cefn Mawr station still in use. Through Rhosmedyre we took the option of turning in towards the village on Plas Kynaston Lane the site of the clubs former ground which is now adorned with a lovely 'T's' which seems to have waved bye bye to the mutual shop in the village.
THE IMPRESSIVE VIADUCT ON THE WREXHAM TO SHREWSBURY LINE |
FIRST VIEW OF THE ROCK |
Immediately to your left is the clubhouse, changing rooms and snack bar followed afterwards by the toilet block and smart stand. The remainder of the ground is hard standing with wooden fence to the rear except for the feature the rock face opposite the main stand from the former quarry this side also has the dugouts which are split by the double decked TV gantry. I guess you could say the ground would be and is a standard basic new ground but the siting of it with this back drop gives it a special feel. Mick had got into conversation with quite a few people including steward Kelvin who was from Derby! Interestingly the chap knew a lot about the club and had a commitment to following his team and was a good representative of all things Ancienst to us.
THE MAIN STAND |
Cefn Druids have a rich history oldest club in Wales and you know this blog I wont go back through loads of history except to say they are now in a very nice place with a steady ground and a nice set of officials who all seemed very friendly. The latter is always welcome when you have made a long journey and does the club credit with a good public address system getting us towards kick off there was time to catch up with a few more visitors including some Llandudno fans. Also in attendance today were Mardon College old and new from Exeter Uni who made for a good atmosphere on their annual visit to the club.
SAM HART FREE KICK FOR LLANDUDNO |
MICHAEL PRITCHARD [10] CELEBRATES HIS OPENER |
MIKE WILLIAMS CLEARS FOR LLANDUDNO |
With 8 minutes to go Ruane pulled one out of the top drawer for a goal of the season contender when wide on the right he screamed one over Roberts onto the far left hand corner of the goal to make it 3-1.
As Cefn started to consider their safety back came Llandudno to give them a few final moments of doubt when on 90 minutes it became 3-2 when Marc Williams headed home at the back post.
Probably the best game of 2017 for the blog although that is not been set by very high standards for me this year, this though was a thoroughly enjoyable game in a ground that I also found interesting. I guess Huw Griffiths Cefn's manager would be very pleased with his side who performed well but there was certainly plenty for Alan Morgan his opposite number to take heart from.
HUW GRIFFITHS HAPPY CEFN DRUIDS MANAGER AFTER 90 MINUTES |
LLANDUDNO MANAGER ALAN MORGAN |
Overall a very enjoyable day with a recommended visit to Cefn Druids next time I'd probably go an hour earlier to spend a little more time in the area.
Walked and barged over THE PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT when staying at Llangollen so it was nice to see a picture of the aqueduct. Brill blog mate and pictures and love the rock face at the back.
ReplyDeleteHello I am hoping to use an image from your blog in a newly developed website for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World heritage Site, please get back to me on fionaegale@hotmail.co.uk Thanks
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