JD WELSH CUP
BETWS ............................ 1 TREFELIN BOYS CLUB .................. 11
THIS has to be marked down as one of the poorest team displays in the proud history of former Welsh League champions Betws, writes Tony Poole.
Life hasn’t been kind to the North Site boys since they were relegated from the Welsh League last season – and, ironically, it was Trefelin who replaced them in Division Three.
But in a short space of time these two valley teams have suffered vastly different fortunes.
While Trefelin retained the services of the bulk of their Alliance title-winning side of last season and have kicked on, the North Site exit door has hardly closed.
Some players at this level are fickle and what Betws now face is reshaping a side to become competitive in Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier Division.
But that’s easier said than done and it’s either stick with the current squad or follow the likes of Gwynfi United and Llangeinor into parks grade sides only.
It’s a heartbreaking situation and two small boys at the final whistle summed up the situation.
“Betws got a battering today,” one youngster said to another, and sadly the child had knocked the nail on the head.
There was a lack of leadership with Betws cut to ribbons at the back and several Trefelin goals were walked into the net.
In reality, Betws were in the tie for 90 seconds – the time it took for Ceri Williams to engineer the opening goal for Shaun Best.
Though Dan Hale – who scored during the 3-1 home defeat against Llangynwyd Rangers – went close, Best made it 2-0.
And so it went on with Trefelin being given the freedom of North Site to moreorless score when they pleased.
It was the turn of Williams to fire into an empty net in the 22nd minute with Tom Edwards and Travis Monks-Landeg following him onto the scoresheet.
The trend was bucked in the 38th minute when Trefelin botched up at the back and Craig Phillips found an unprotected net.
It was 5-1 at half time and Betws then papered over cracks until the 65th minute when the Port Talbot side triggered a big finish.
Best completed a hat-trick while Michael Davies, Marks-Landeg and substitute Chris Parfitt moved it on to 9-1.
Double figures were hit in the 88th minute via a Marks-Landeg hat-trick goal and Jamie Latham netted right on time.
And but for fine goalkeeping from captain Jon Davies, it could have been even worse for the shellshocked North Site boys.
This Saturday, they resume league duties at home to Pontlottyn.