First Team v Rhos Aelwyd

Wednesday evening saw Karl Fenlon's first team face Rhos Aelwyd Fc up at the Brymbo Crick. Another warm evening with a slight breeze and the pitch in fantastic order it was perfect playing conditions. Karl had jigged the team around a little to give other players the opportunity to impress him and try a claim a first team spot before the season starts.

With goalkeeper unavailability Mr Dependable Jimmy Hickman replaced Callum Thurnham, Youngster Rhys Jones filled in an left back on the back of an impressionable first team debut at lex. Joe Wright came in at right back. New signing Jack Pawley came into the middle of midfield and last seasons young player of the year Ollie Wright-Powell came in for Kyle Walker.
Also Coedpoeth legend Nick McCormick started on the bench after being sidelined for 12 months after knee surgery along with one of Coedpoeths exciting new young prospects in Nathan Rennie taking his first senior bow.

The game kicked off and coedy were fast out of the blocks the midfield three in Sam Davies, Mike Taylor and Jack Pawley playing the ball around well giving Rhos no chance of having the ball then on 6 minutes Pawley found a great ball between the centre half and full back for Ollie Wright-Powell to run onto resulting in the Rhos keeper in bringing him down. Mike Taylor stepped up to take the penalty only to find the woodwork which was uncharacteristic of someone who strikes the ball well. Even with the penalty miss Coedpoeth kept plugging away with some great play then on 10 minutes up stepped Aaron Taylor. 1-0 to the Poeth, then 8 minutes later Aaron found himself in space in the Rhos box again to grab his brace 2-0. Coedpoeth completely dominating with their passing and moving led to a corner. An excellent delivery saw us go 3-0 up now many thought Sam Davies got on the end of it only for it to come off a Rhos defender but we will take any goal no matter how it comes. With Coedpoeth completely in control of possession in the first half Rhos struggled to create anything clear cut with a couple of blocked efforts and a couple of off target attempts at goal until the excellent James Haynes (who i may add was superb for the Rhos ranks) found some space on the edge of the box curling a shot at Hickman who was unlucky as he got a great hand on it only for it find the back of the net right on half time.

During half time Karl decided to make some changes Dan Prince for Joe Wright, Nick McCormick for Jack Pawley, Jamie Williams for Joe Harper, Mykel Woollett for Sam Davies, 16 year old Nathan Rennie for Ollie Wright-Powell and Adam Artell for Aaron Taylor.

With a change in system from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 Karl looked to try something different tactically. The first part of the second half was quite subdued with us trying to settle back down after so many changes. Rhos created a few chances but nothing to worry Hickman. Another change with Nathan Jones replacing another solid display by 17 year old Rhys Jones. Coedy looked to get the ball to Nathan Rennie on the left wing who displayed great strength for such a young lad making his senior debut but on 75mins another youngster in Adam Artell got the second half breakthrough. After scrambling past and out muscling two Rhos defenders he powered a wonderful strike past an onlooking goalkeeper. This left Rhos deflated as the game was gone for them. They did have a free kick just outside the box to try and lift their spirits in the latter minutes but let's just say we won't be finding that ball anytime soon. A special mention to Mike Taylor who was pivotal in the middle of the park in all areas of the game be it attacking or defending. There possibly can't be a single man of the match award as everyone who put on the Coedpoeth jersey all played outstanding.

Squad
Andrew Hickman
Rhys Jones
Neil Roberts
Rhys Hughes
Joe Wright
Aaron Taylor
Mike Taylor
Sam Davies
Jack Pawley
Ollie Wright-Powell
Joe Harper

Subs
Nick McCormick
Mykel Woollett
Nathan Jones
Nathan Rennie
Jamie Williams
Dan Prince

An excellent performance following on from a controversial loss but great display to lex. This squad is progressing nicely every game with every player stepping up to the mark only giving manager Karl a massive selection headache as he looks to cement in his squad for the start of the new season.

Friday evening we hope to continue this current form into our next instalment of preseason with an away tie at Afc Brynford Friday 23rd July kick off 7 pm

Information if any supporters would like to come along is:

AFC Brynford

Recreation Ground
Hafod y Bryn
Brynford
Flintshire
CH8 8LQ

Final score
Coedy 4-1 Rhos