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A look at how Llanrhystud fooball team got on throughout the season of 2002-2003. CAMBRIAN TYRES ABERYSTWYTH LEAGUE: Division One
Llanrhystud 0-0 Bow Street
Len & Julia Newman Memorial Trophy Cup Final
29/05/2003
Llanrhystud officials have voiced their fury at the initial decision of the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League to postpone the Len and Julia Newman Memorial Trophy until next season.
The club were informed late last wednesday evening that the final would not be played on Saturday as scheduled due to holders Bow Street being unable to raise a team. Bow Street have since decided to withdraw from the competition but Llanrhystud, who will now be awarded the trophy, were left fuming at the initial decision to postpone the final.
Days earlier Llanrhystud had beaten Penparcau and Bow Street had beaten Penrhyncoch in the semni-finals with the final expected to bring the curtain down on the season. However it was decided at a meeting of the league on Wednesday that the game would not go ahead at the weekend due to several Bow Street players attending a wedding.
With just two days remaining until the official end of the season, the clubs were unable to rearrange the game for either the Thursday, Friday or possibly Saturday evening. Llanrhystud boss Alan Foligno expressed his shock at the decision to postpone the tie at such short notice rather than, at the very least, award his team the trophy.
He said: "The date for the final had been set some time ago and we only won the semi-final on Monday, then we are told that Bow Street's players are going to a wedding. Surely they knew this before they played their semi-final. I cannot see why they didn't award the tie to Penrhyn, and then we would have played the final on Saturday. Besides, they have a big squad of players and I cannot believe that they are unable to field a side, even if it would be a much weaker one. We even offered an evening kick-off."
The decision brought a disappointing end to a highly successful term for Foligno, who intends to stand down as manager of the club after three successful seasons as manager. In his first season Foligno steered his side to success in the Second Division Trophy, which they retained the next year as well as bing promoted as Division Two champions.
This season his club have won the Cambrian Tyres League Cup and also achieved a top three finish in division one, but he admitted the Newman Trophy final would have been the icing on the cake. Foligno added: "It is an obsolute disgrace. We had no say in the decision to postpone the match and feel sorry for the players, they will not get the chance to play in the final. They have set the precedent for teams to get matches called off and our club will not play this final at the start of next year. I am in total shock at the decision of the league."
Bow Street clubman Paul James said the club would have liked the Welsh F.A. to extend the season by three days until the Bank Holiday Monday to play the game, but accepted the league decision. He stressed that the rules of the competition surrounding the eligibility of players would not have made it possible for the division one champions to have raised a side.
James said: "The sensible thing would have been to play the game on the Monday but the league finished on Saturday and apparently the Welsh F.A. offered little compromise. Though no choice of either club we were going to play the game at the start of next season, which would have been a shame, but it was also a good opportunity for us to keep the players together. Certain people were very unhappy at the decision to postpone the final so we have since decided to bite the bullet and withdraw from it altogether for the good of the league and the competition."
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Llanrhystud 1-0 Tywyn/Bryncrug
Cambrian Tyres League Cup Final
05/05/2003
Alex Phillips strike was enough for Llanrhystud to take the Cambrian Tyres League Cup at the exspense of shell shocked Tywyn/Bryncrug at Cae Baker (Penrhyncoch).
The game may be the final nail in the coffin of Tywyn's season, who, having seen their title hopes all but fade away, were subject to a cruel method of defeat.
It also reflected the giant strides that have been made by Llanrhystud, who were promoted last season after winning the second division.
A delighted Alan Foligno said: "I'm very pleased to have got something out of the season. I think that if we can finish thirtd, having won one trophy then it has been a good season, and we are still in the Len and Julia Newman Memorial Trophy."
In a game of few chances, Tywyn had the best of the first half that produced few chances, the majority coming from set pieces.
The game finally kicked into life in the second half, with Dylan Davies coming on in the Llanrhystud attack for the injured Dylan Jones. Davies' arrival coincided with Llanrhystud beginning to get into the game.
It was Davies who had a shot saved by keeper McMullen, after a fine move down the right.
However it was Tywyn who had the first and best chance to take the lead through striker Gareth Davies being brought down in the penalty area, giving John Horton the chance of giving Tywyn the lead through a penalty kick.
Having scored all but one of his penalties this year, Horton was expected to score, but saw his shot go wide, and Tywyn's heads visibly dropped.
With five minutes to go Tywyn suffered another set back when substitue Paul Roberts was sent off for foul and abusive language to an official.
Consequently, a Llanrhystud move down the left involving Anthony Foligno and Davies ended with Alex Philips coolly lifting the ball over Tywyn's keeper McMullen to win Llanrhystud the Trophy.
Tywyn player boss Myfyr Lewis said: "I'm very disappointed, especially as it looks like we'll end the season with nothing. I know Bow Street could slip up in the league, but it's all in their hands."
LLANRHYSTUD PLAYERS: G. Nicholas, R. Jones, A. Hughes, C. Gittins, R. Warman, A. Foligno, L. Hughes, D. Thomas, A. Tedaldi, A. Philips, D. Jones. SUBSTITUTES: D. Davies, D. Rees, P. Lewis.
TYWYN/BRYNCRUG PLAYERS: A. Mcmullen, M. Roberts, A. Davies, S. Rogers, P. Pearce, J. Horton, M. Jones, A. Kelly, R. Mumford, G. Davies, L. Rickard. SUBSTITUTE: P. Roberts.
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Llanrhystud 0-1 Bow Street
Cambrian Tyres League - Division One
19/04/2003
Llanrhystud enjoyed the best of early pressure on Saturday, playing with the first-half wind. However, it was Bow Street who broke the deadlock to take the lead after 25 minutes.
Martyn Williams turned his marker and delivered a deadly ball into the box from the left, which was met with equal venom by Stephen Harrison, forcing his diving header high into the roof of the net.
After this Bow Street shut up-shop, detemined to go into half-time with the lead. Llanrhystud, despite their increasing possession, could not break through.
The second-half saw Bow Street again getting men behind the ball, and breaking with speed on the counter-attack, to create the best chances. The best was when Tony Jones' lob sailed just over after Robbie Jones' defensive error.
Llanrhystud best chance came when an Anthony Foligno effort was cleared off the line. Llanrhystud manager Alan Foligno said: "I'm disappointed, I thought a draw would have been a fair result, especially after all our possession."
Bow Street manager Roberts commented: "This was a vital win, and a big victory away from home. Llanrhystud had the better possession, but we had the better chances and could have gone two or three up in the second-half. If they'd have equalised we really would have been kicking ourselves."
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Dolgellau 0-2 Llanrhystud
Cambrian Tyres League - Division One
22/03/2003
Llanrhystud stayed on track for runners up in the Cambrian Tyres League division one, they recorded a deserved victory over Dolgellau. It was a totally committed performance from Llanrhystud, Dollgellau on the other hand battled hard, but they appeared to have one eye on an impending semi final clash with Aberaeron in the Cambrian Tyres Cup.
Andrew Carree of Penrhyncoch again played in a guest role for Llanrhystud, however even he was finding difficulty in controlling the ball on a difficult surface. In the first half Dolgellau managed two promising moves. The first came by Keith Morris, who sent Mark Roberts clear down the left hand side only for the hard low cross to escape him. The second came when Lee Riches sent Darren Jones clear, but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post. The only other threats Dolgellau posed were from Morris long throw and Riches' set pieces.
For Llanrhystud Alex Phillips came close with a near post flick and Carree sent in some great corners, however the goal was not threatened even though Llanrhystud could clam the majority of possession. The second half followed a similar pattern as Gittins Constantly broke up Dolgellau's play. Dollgellau had the majority of early play, although not posing a threat.
It was Llanrhystud who had the first opportunity of the second half as Phillips took advantage of an ineffective off side trap, hitting the side netting. Soon after Riches set up Darren Jones at the other end, his header from close in was off target. With only 15 minutes remaining Llanrhystud looked the more likely to break the deadlock, a Carree corner was headed home unopposed by Phillips.
Dolgellau player manager Dylan Jones brought himself on, and the set pieces became more of a threat to Llanrhystud. But from a set piece the ball was cleared forward to Phillips to chase, Dollgellau defender Roberts was first to the ball but unable to control it, allowing the Phillips a free run on goal who scored to the near post.
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Llanilar 3-4 Llanrhystud
South Cards Cup Round Three
15/03/2003
Llanrhystud started positively, and Llanilar had not been out of their own territory, when a counter attack led to Martin Davies gave the home side the lead. Llanrhystud replied minutes later, with Steve Gravell scoring with a well struck shot from 25 yards.
Llanilar again took the lead before the half time interval, with Gravell turning from hero to villain as he under kicked a back pass that was pounced on by Richard Pugh, who took full advantage of the error.
With a 2-1 half time lead and home advantage, Llanilar must have fancied their chances of progressing to the semi finals. However, the forced departure of Dylan Morris soon after the restart did not aid their chances.
Llanrhystud levelled matters again when Llanilar gave away a scrappy penalty after a scramble in the box. Carl Gittens put away the equaliser from the penalty spot, and 30 minutes of extra time beckoned. Llanilar pushed Captain Tegyd Roberts up front in a bid to win the game. This proved a wise decision by manager Richard Tudor as Roberts headed home an Anthony Christopher cross.
Llanilar faced a battle to hang on to their lead with players feeling the effects of cramp, with all the subs used. Llanrhystud's younger, fitter team capitalised on a one-man advantage, created by a home team player needing treatment, to equalise through an Anthony Tedaldi volley following a cross by Carl Gittens.
With Gary Pugh forced off the field due to severe cramp, the advantage was now with llanrhystud, and with just minutes remaining of extra time, Gerallt Woolley broke free of a tiring defence to score in to the corner of the goal to seal a victory. Llanilar manager Richard Tudor said: "The boys came off with their heads down, extremely disappointed, but mine was held high. I know that we came really close to defeating a very good team, and I'm very proud of them. You can't be too disappointed about losing a game like that. I'd rather lose in that manner than go out with a whimper."
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Llanrhystud 0-3 Machynlleth
Cambrian Tyres League - Division One
01/03/2003
Lanrhystud saw their dreams shattered for the title in the Cambrian Tyres League division one, as they were defeated 3-0 against Machynlleth.
Llanrhystud remain 15 points behind the leaders Tywyn/Bryncrug with a couple of games in hand and will have to defeat the Meirionnydd side when the two sides meet at Llanrhystud this weekend.
Llanrhystud could have taken the lead against Machynlleth but Alex Phillips failed to score in an early one-on-one situation with the keeper and was punished for it.
Machynlleth took the lead on the 25 minute when a right wing cross was guided back over the home goal by Wayne Jones into the far corner of the net, which gave them the lead in the first half.
Two more goals came in the second half by Stuart Roberts and Joe Taylor to give Machynlleth a great win in their fight to avoid relegation.
Llanrhystud manager Alan Foligno said: "I thought Machynlleth defended deep and well, and they made it hard for us to break through. I was disappointed in our lack of movement".
"We do not have enough depth in the squad to challenge for the league, but at the start of the season we were only aiming for a mid-table finish so we have had a successful season".
"If we can finish in the top five and win one of the cups then we will have done very well".
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Llanrhystud 3-2 Dolgellau
Cambrian Tyres League - League Cup
25/02/2003
Llanrhystud defeated Dolgellau in a close semi-final at Cae Baker, Penrhyncoch last Tuesday thanks to a stunning golden goal by Carl Gittens.
Llanrhystud started well and almost had an early lead when Alex Phillips headed just wide of the near post. Phillips again was unfortunate to miss shortly after with a deflected shot hitting the post.
Andy Carree was a constant threat to Dolgellau, and after 20 minutes could have scored only to hit the post and later in the game he lifted an effort to hit the bar.
Dolgellau found it difficult to counter the threat posed by Gittens and Carree, but did threaten the Llanrhystud goal with their set pieces, coming from Lee Riches free kicks and corners, and Keith Morris' long throws.
Llanrhystud had the best of the game, and it came as no surprise when Dylan Davies headed in a Darren Thomas free kick to put his side into the lead.
However Dollgellau equalised not long afterwards from a long throw by Morris that created havoc in the box with a goal coming from Mark Roberts.
This gave Dollgellau a new leas of life with an appeal for a penalty being turned down when Alan Jones went down in the box.
Riches then had a great free kick saved by Llanrhystud's keeper George Nicholls when it looked like it was heading for the top corner as Dollgellau pushed forward.
Llanrhystud sore the space left by the more adventurous Dolgellau and took advantage with their fast counter attacks. One of these lead to Anthony Tedaldi being brought down in the box leading to a penalty which Carl Gittens happily put away.
Dolgellau manager Dylan Jones brought himself on with immediate effect, heading home a goal with little more than injury time remaining.
Extra time, and the golden goal loomed, Llanrhystud's Carl Gittens struck an unstoppable shot from 25 yards to seal a well-deserved victory.
Llanrhystud will play the winner of Tywyn/Bryncrug and the holders Penrhyncoch Reserves in the final.
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Llanrhystud 1-3 St. Dogmaels
Emrys Morgan Cup - Round 5
01/02/2003
Saint Dogmaels stormed into to the latter stages of the Emrys Morgan Cup with a deserved 3-1 win against Llanrhystud.
St. Dogmaels previous winners of this trophy were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Jimmy James was sent of by referee Paul Jones for allegedly head-butting an opponent.
St. Dogmaels John Walters was full of praise for his former side. He said: "We played very well in the second half when we pushed Chris Jones further up the field and played less defensively".
"We had been giving the home team too much respect by playing deep and they were allowed time on the ball. However things changed after this and we got better as the game went on".
"We were lucky at times though, as Llanrhystud missed a sitter in the first half and our first goal came against the run of play".
"But credit to our team as we had a 17-year-olds playing in the side including Jimmy James. His sending off was needless and the referee had no choice in the matter".
The first half of this tie was uneventful with few scoring opportunities, the home side enjoyed territorial advantage and missed a chance to take the lead with a header from close range.
The second half opened up with the visitors enjoying some great moments.
The Saints played much better football and in the 60th minute Chris Jones scored after good work from his teammate Darren Baker.
The Saints Jimmy James was shown a red card by referee Jones, which led to a minor set back for the Saints.
Former Cardigan RFC flier Mike Grota scored the second goal for the Saints, but ten minutes later Llanrhystud crawled back a goal.
The game was killed of by a home goal from Robbie Jones while under pressure from the visitors.
Both Jones and Anthony Tedaldi worked hard for Llanrhystud and the whole of the team will be dissappointed not to go further in this cup.
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Llanrhystud 5-2 Dolgellau
Cambrian Tyres League - Division One
04/01/2003
LLANRHYSTUD produced another committed display to climb second in the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League Division One with an impressive victory over high-fliers Dolgellau.
Two goals from Alex Phillips, added to strikes from Geralit Woolley, Dylan Davies and Anthony Tedaldi, lifted Lianrhystud above Dolgellau and Penparcau, who did not play this weekend.
In spite of a strong start from the hosts, Dolgellau remained fairly comfortable and would have reached half time ahead had they possessed more accuracy and speed going forward.
But as Dolgellau appeared to be gaining the upper hand it was Llanrhystud who fired themselves into the lead when, on 20 minutes, the visitors failed to clear a near post corner.
The ball was eventually cleared off the line by stand-in keeper Stephen Parry after deflecting off Dolgellau's Glen Harris, but Geralit Woolley was on hand to head in the rebound.
This gave Llanrhystud fresh inspiration with Dolgellau defending in numbers, on 35 minutes after a foul on Sion Williams, Lee Riches equalised from the penalty spot.
This spurred on Dolgellau and, following a Riches free kick, Mark Roberts should have done better with a clear heading opportunity six yards out, but he missed the ball completely.
In the dying minutes of the first half Llanrhystud almost punished Dolgellau when a mistake by the visiting defence allowed Alex Phillips a free header on goal, but he saw his effort saved by keeper Stephen Parry. As half time arrived both teams believed that a victoty was within reach, however within five minutes of the restart of the second half a second goal by Phillips seemed to deflate the spirit of the visitors.
A mistake by David Jones began a comedy of errors with Roger Savage hitting a clearance straight into the midriff of Phillips who miscued his shot only to see it sliced into the net. A third goal followed from a far post corner where three defenders were all in position to clear but nobody took the responsibility and Davies sneaked in to head home from close in.
Llanrhystud extended their lead when another break down the left resulted in the unmarked Phillips heading home from close range as the static Dolgellau defenders looked on.
Dolgellan fought back with some well worked overlaps down the left, however the final ball either lacked accuracy or the inspirational home sweeper Robbie Jones cleared the lines.
From one of these clearances Llanrhystud broke and a low cross from close-in was side-footed into the back of net by Tedaldi.
The visitors could only manage a late consolation when they were awarded a slightly fortunate penalty for handball which Riches put away.
Results Page...>>
