What do you feel was the teams best performance this season?
Quite a few performances stand out for me. Conwy early on in the
season when we were 2-0 down at half time and turned it around to win 3-2, obviously a massive win but to do that to your local neighbours is always that little bit better. Another huge performance was the second half against Flint at Maesdu. First half we struggled and were second best but second half we blew them away and played some unbelievable football. I think the Guilsfield away game could prove pivotal in the outcome of the season. Credit to them they have been up near the top all season and we knew it was going to be a difficult game. Their long ball tactics caused us a few problems but we defended brilliantly and with being down to 10 men after an hour we dominated the second half and should have won. And finally last weeks performance against Buckley, a team who had been on a great run of form and we went there and turned them over in some style with a 6-2 victory a scoreline which by all accounts flattered them. A lot of people expected us to slip up in this game but the boys were confident and gave a very professional performance.
Who is your player of the season?
I am well and truly going to sit on the fence here mainly because I
cant really vote for myself, just kidding. I will be honest, I couldn't
really pick one player as I think it has been a really good team
performance for the whole season. Certain players have been brilliant in individual games and other players in other games. I think we have a really good mixture of players in the team. Before the season people were saying 'we will struggle in away games'. I have said from the start we have had good football players but players who will also grind out results when we needed to, and i think over the course of the season we have done that.
What has surprised you most this season?
Probably how good our disciplinary record has been this season. Taking out Krustys (Lee Thomas) red card at Guilsfield I think that was the first red card we have had all season, which in comparison to other seasons is a massive difference. I think in previous years we have picked up a lot of needless bookings which lead to suspensions. With the quality in the squad this year if you miss a game through suspension its tough to get back into the team. I think the competition for places this year has kept everyone on their toes, even the intensity in training is just as high as games, mainly because no one wants that yellow bib.
Who do you think was the toughest opposition?
I think Portmadog at home was probably our toughest opponent. We managed to win the game 1-0 through a rare Mark Evans goal but we were made to work for it. I think in hindsight they probably deserved something from the game but that's football and it turned out to be a massive result for us. Normally when teams come and play at Maesdu on the 3G they just sit back and try and defend, Port did not do this and played the right way. It was just a really good football match.
Who was the toughest opposition player you faced this season in the middle of the park?
I would probably say Stew Carroll from Flint, I've played against him
for a few years now and you always know you are going to be in a
battle. Technically he is very good and can spot a pass. This year
when we have played them he has sat a little deeper than in previous years and if he's allowed space on the ball he will dictate play. He done this in the first half of our home game.
What game sticks out to you the most for any reason when you look back, good or bad?
For me it has got to be the Conwy away game. Conwy for some reason have had the edge over us in previous years which is frustrating. We came in to the game in really good form and we expected to win again but we knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it being a derby game gives it that little bit more of an edge. With them rarely creating many clear cut chances their 2-0 lead at the break seemed a little harsh on ourselves but that's football. There was disappointment in the dressing room at half time but we knew if we got the first goal we could go on to win the game, and that's what happened. I don't remember who scored the goals but it was another great team display, a feature of our play all season. A special mention to Krusty in this game as he went in goal and produced a top performance.
If you could change one thing this season what would it be?
100% the Caernarfon away game. As a team we knew the importance of this game and we knew there was a lot of support travelling down from Llandudno so we wanted to put on a good performance for them. I thought in the first half we were the better team and on another day it could have been a different story. Second half was something we were not happy about but that stays in the dressing room. The fans were brilliant supporting us right until the end.
What is your most memorable moment from the dressing room this season?
I don't know about memorable but the most bizarre thing that happened in the dressing room was definitely after the Llandrindod Wells game at home. After our biggest win of the season we were getting changed when their centre mid walked into our changing rooms (he had been an idiot all game) apologised to our players by saying he just gets a bit excited and handed Hindsy (Richard Hinds) a shot of vodka, yes you read that right a shot of vodka.
How have you found playing on the new surface this season? What are the good and bad points about it?
Cant really fault the pitch its been brilliant. Its so much better
turning up to games knowing that the surface is going to be nice and allow you to play football. However I do prefer night games as there is a little bit more zip on the surface, I think our better
performances at home this year have come in night games.
As it's the Final Column of the season, would just like to thank everyone for their support over the course of the season.
Tom Dix