Iolo Owen came into this match with a number of key players unavailable. Shane Jones, Ste Bratt, Ben Fisher, Andrew Papirnyk and Billy Jones to mention just a few a total of 9 players were unavailable. But despite this Iolo assembled a side which didn’t look to different to previous games.

As the team arrived at the Ty Croes venue they were pleasantly surprised with the brand new changing rooms, a credit to CPD Aberffraw, its a shame that the condition of their pitch was not up to the same standard, following the installation of a failed drainage system it has left a virtually unplayable surface, which is a shame for their young side.

The match got underway with the Magpies playing into a strong wind coming in off the sea, something goalkeeper Alex Evans found out within the first 5 minutes, his goal kick almost stopped in the air, whilst the Aberffraw keeper had a goal kick moments later that almost cleared the whole pitch. Both teams tried in vein to pass the ball along the floor but this wasn’t how the game needed to be played on the pitch. The home side took the lead on 17’, a well worked move from a free kick in midfield saw the striker fire in from close range. The home side went 2 up only moments later, a move down the right saw the winger cut into the box, and unchallenged slotted the ball into the far side netting. As the heavens opened the Magpies tried to control the game, but the conditions and the pitch made using there familiar passing game impossible, and when they lost the hall in midfield on 32’ they were punished by conceding a third goal, Aberffraw took only 3 passes to find their striker on the right who fired the ball over Alex Evans into the roof of the net. But this didn’t get to the lads and they had an opportunity almost directly from the kickoff resulting in a corner, they would have several corners and opportunities to use Llion Owen, Joe Soar and Osian Owen’s long throws to put the home side under pressure, and it would pay off on 45’ as Joey Jones put a delightful ball through to Bobby Griffith who was brought down in the box, the penalty was awarded by the referee that saw only feet from the incident. And in the last action of the half Bobby stepped up to take the penalty, but wasn’t successful as he saw the ball go flying past the post and out for a goal kick.

As the lads came out for the second half it was as if they came out at a different place, the wind had stopped and the sun was shining, and what was clear is that the Magpies were not going to let the disappointment of the first half get to them. From the kick off it was clear the Magpies were intent on taking the game to Aberffraw, Joey Jones and Llion Owen in Midfield running rings around there opponents, and it didn’t take long for the pressure to count, Joey Jones on one of his surging runs from midfield into the box was brought down and adjudged to of been fouled by the referee who pointed to the spot, Joe Soar elected to take the penalty and calmly put the ball past the keepers left and made it 3-1. Joeys runs continued to trouble the home side, who resulted to foul him over and over, his frustration built and resulted in the referee booking Joey. The home side we’re clearly rattled and hardly ventured out of their own half, Carwyn Jones and Jono Harrison having little to do but head the ball to the midfield. On 70’ Barmouth would get a second goal back, Joe Soar putting a great ball over the top to Bobby Griffith, who still had work to do, he passed two players and fired the ball low and had into the far post from a tight angle. Following the goal Iolo moved Carwyn into Midfield with Tom Czekeryla dropping into defence, Tom having put in a shift upfront with Bobby Griffith, Carwyn has an instant impact shifting the ball out wide, putting the Aberffraw defence under immense pressure, but this was not enough, and as the home side had a rare flurry into the Magpies half they had only one thing in mind and that was to put the ball in the corner. The referee played 2 minutes of injury time which wasn’t enough and the home side secured only their second victory of the season.

Credit has to go to the boys for a spirited come back, and the character to come back strong following a poor first half. They will get the opportunity to put things right when CPD Aberffraw visit the Wern Mynach on November the 9th in a league match.

Barmouth & Dyffryn United FC

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