The game was played at Station Road, despite it being Llanymynech’s away fixture against Berriew, due to their home pitch being out of action until the beginning of next season. Llany were left to rue a disastrous final half an hour of the game where they conceded four
goals in what was a shambolic ending to their last outing at Station Road for the season.

Nathan Bartram made three changes from the side which lost in the closing moments of the game away against Kerry Reserves last Saturday as Lewis Williams, Matt Jones and Sam Roberts all returned to the starting eleven. Matt Prince continued in goal, with Simon Botley captaining the team from right back and Williams in the opposite full back position. Josh Hayward and Matt Jones formed the central defensive partnership following the late withdrawal of Jamie Phillips before kick-off. Chris Grommell and Lee Rogers were in defensive midfield, with Jack Roberts in front of them. George Jones began as the central striker with Grant Jones and Sam Roberts providing the width.

In an uneventful first half there was little sign of the carnage that would unfold in the second half as Llany looked composed in possession and solid in defence, without being able to carve out too many clear cut opportunities. The best chance probably fell to Sam Roberts, who curled an effort over after some good build up play down the right wing involving Jack Roberts and Grant Jones.
Grommell failed to trouble the goalkeeper with two long range efforts, whilst at the other end Botley had to intervene with a goal line clearance after Prince had saved and the rebound had been headed goalwards.

The turning point of the game came about quarter of an hour into the second period, when Berriew took the lead, despite their striker standing about ten yards offside. He tapped in a rebound more through hope than expectation and was surprised when none of the officials opted to award the offside and much to Llany’s exasperation and frustration the goal was allowed to stand.

The goal prompted a change of shape from Bartram as he switched to a back three in the hope of finding a quick way back into the game, but the formation left them exposed to the visitors, who were quick to exploit their new found freedom out wide as well as an extra attacker through the middle, as Rogers and Jack Roberts suddenly found themselves overrun in midfield.

Botley had switched from right back to left centre back and was caught out for the second goal when his two attempts to head the ball clear only succeeded in putting the ball straight up into the air. Even so the Berriew forward still had a lot to do as the ball dropped out of the sky on the right edge of the penalty area and he duly obliged by slicing a perfect left footed volley across the goalkeeper and into the top corner for a brilliant second goal of the game.

Llany rallied and were able to carve out a few chances of their own, Jack Roberts shooting straight at the goalkeeper with his left foot after he had controlled a cross from his brother well and wriggled into some space. Substitute Callum Whyte had a shot from twenty yards drift wide and then hurled a long throw into the penalty area which Grant Jones flicked a yard past the far post with his head.

Llany’s impressive first half defensive display seemed like a distant memory however, when a long punt downfield was misjudged by Grommell and the bouncing ball was pounced upon by the Berriew striker. Prince did well to keep out the first effort, but he couldn’t hold onto the ball and he was left with the simple task of tucking home the rebound to make it 3-0.
Whyte produced Llany’s best opening when he turned and fed Sam Roberts for a one on one with the Berriew goalkeeper, which he made an excellent stop from, before man of the match Jack Roberts failed to connect with a header from a corner and an effort through a crowd of players was flicked wide of the post by Mat Edwards who was on for his Llany debut.

The punishment wasn’t quite over for the border side as yet another rebound was turned in by Berriew to bring up their fourth goal as they flooded forward at every opportunity as Llany looked shell shocked. Prince once again saved the first effort without being able to hold onto the ball which allowed the Berriew forward to arrive at the back post and gleefully accept his second goal of the game from about four yards out.

After having the run in back in their hands after a defeat for Kerry Reserves in midweek, it is now back in the hands of Llany’s rivals, who know that a win will be enough to secure second place and a promotion, regardless of what Llany do against Welshpool Reserves in their last remaining fixture.

Llanymynech Football Club

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