NATHANIEL CARS WELSH FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
AFC LLWYDCOED ........ 4 GARDEN VILLAGE ....... 3
LLWYDCOED gained a deserved victory in a seven-goal thriller after throwing away a threegoal advantage late in the second half.
The village had taken full advantage of three Llwydcoed substitutions when Llwydcoed were in charge at this stage. Llwydcoed manager Craig Boulton recalled Luke Davies to his starting lineup.
The Village had plenty of possession early doors and tried to use the diagonal ball to bring Josh Bradshaw into space. Llwydcoed’s Rhys Welch cleared the threat.
More good play by the Village saw the Llwydcoed defence and midfield working to cover the movement.
After this spell by the Village, Llwydcoed began to gain some possession through Oliver Roberts, Tom Morris and Ioan Evans, they began to find space in the Village defence/midfield regular the movement of Ioan Evans was evident.
Back came Village threatening the hosts defence and their goalkeeper Andy Hargreaves was alert to the danger. Both teams had tested each others defences and we did not have to wait long for the opening goal.
Llwydcoed’s Joe Jen- kins won possession and although a few Village players tried to stop him his tenacity saw him hit a screamer from 20 yards into the top corner.
A second goal soon followed after the Llwydcoed midfield of Jonathan Mason, Tom Morris and Oliver Roberts broke open the Village shape bringing Ioan Evans into space as he rounded the Village goalkeeper Ben Hopkins he was brought down, Oliver Roberts stepped forward to take the penalty award to score.
The second half began and Llwydcoed’s Ioan Evans created a brilliant move stepping inside the Village defender and found Jonathan Mason into space and he beat the Village goalkeeper Ben Hopkins.
The match was Llwydcoed’s to lose. The early substitutions by Llwydcoed’s management and the positive attacking attitude of the Village manager gradually built some pressure on the Llwydcoed defence who also had chances to score goal number four but the next goal was scored by the Village after the Llwydcoed’s defenders failed to clear the danger and Same Keefe took full advantage to score.
The Village players were now sensing more goals, Llwydcoed were not defending as a unit and Village substitute Ashley Richards reduced the scoreline, they almost equalised if it had not been for a worldie save by Llwydcoed’s goalkeeper Andy Hargreaves.
The Village came again, they won a free kick taken by Luke Norman and it hit the back of the next. So from three down the Village had equalised, another attack and the Llwydcoed goalkeeper Andy Hargreaves made another worldie save to keep the score level.
Llwydcoed were hanging on after controlling most of the match but they galvanised themselves for one last effort with Tom Morris, Jonathan Mason and Shay Friel finding Oliver Roberts in space and he scored with a top finish.
The final few minutes were tense, the Village came again but the final whistle blew with Llwydcoed winning an enthralling victory against an excellent Village outfit.
AFC Llwydcoed ARJFL U12s, U14s and the U16s all won their games.
The U12s won away to Carnetown 0-7. Goalscorers were Jack Kathrens (5) and Owen Jeffries (2).
The U14s A Team were at home to Ton & Gelli and they won 3-1. Goalscorers were Sebastian Hobbs, Jac Phillips and Rhys Linton.
The U14s B Team were away to Cambrian & Clydach and they won 2-3. Their goalscorers were Lewis Gillard, Evan Olson and Owen Jones.
The final game of the weekend was the top of the table U16s game at Llwydcoed where Llwynypia were the visitors. Llwydcoed won a close game 2-1. Goalscorers were Cian Cable and Liam Price.