Llandudno Junction Reserves F.C v Connah’s Quay Nomads
22nd March 2008
 

With the first team without a fixture this week I was able to join up with the reserves to assist as best as I could. Under the guidance of Peter the reserves have kicked on and got some very good results in recent weeks in the league, but this week saw the boys face Connah’s Quay in the league cup and with nothing much between the two in the league everyone was looking forward to this fixture so our full squad this week was as follows:-

Mike Hughes

Matt Hunt, Scott Jones MOM Phil Williams, Aaron Jones,
Sion Watson, Nathan Watson ©, Danny Parry 1, Chris Owen,
Tom Roberts, Matt Hughes 1.
Ross Stevens on for Aaron
Ben Thomas on for Matt
Rob Jones and Craig Evans unused subs

Since the last time we played CQN their team sheet had changed quite a bit, with a couple of their players moving on to a higher standard football and with the goal threat of Gambino only on the bench we were full of optimism. The pitch was looking in great condition and as the game kicked off the sun briefly came out, to the delight of the fans that had made the effort t come and cheer on the lads. Within six minutes we created our first chance when the ball was played into the path of Sion who took on his marker and beat him easily then played a great pass into Matt who was crowded out before he could get his shot away. Connah's Quay then got their foot on the ball and played the ball out from the back up the right hand side which finally found their number 6 in space who took his shot first time but thankfully the ball flew over the bar.
Connah's Quay next chance came when they were awarded a corner which was delivered perfectly and with a FREE header their captain failed to hit the target which was a big let off. We then managed to get forward and earn ourselves a corner which Chris whipped and found Phil unmarked who volleyed first time only to be denied by the cross bar and was very unlucky with the follow up as he was put under pressure and shot just wide. The variation in the CQN side was very impressive and when they were awarded a second corner they drilled the ball low towards the near post but Scott was on hand to clear the danger. A clumsy challenge about twenty yards out gave Nathan the opportunity to test the keeper, as the referee got the wall back its full distance Nathan fired in a fierce shot which fractionally went wide. The football was end to end and after another CQN attack we played a very good ball towards Matt who controlled well but unfortunately for him he overran the ball which ran out for a goal kick. Then Connah's Quay attacked down the left hand side, their left back who resembled the Ace Ventura Pet Detective overlapping found himself in space and fired in a great left foot shot which was blocked and with the follow up he wildly smashed the ball well wide this was down to some poor defending and something we needed to sort out. As the half came to a close CQN had the last chance of the half when they looped in a free kick which we completely missed and their number 9 fired wide, this was another let off and left the half time score at 0-0.

As cup games go, this game was evenly balanced and was representative of both teams league positions we reminded the lads that good discipline and better passing would give us a great chance of moving into the semi final as long as we improved our defending. We started the second half with some positive football and Mike launched a great goal kick towards Tom who controlled well and shot instinctively but unfortunately the ball just went wide of the up right. We continued with some very good football and were dominating the game, however Connah’s Quay counter attacked and got into our box when their number nine fell over handled the ball and pushed the ball out for a goal kick but to everyone’s amazement the referee awarded a corner which was once again delivered well and yet another free header was miss timed and put over. We again attacked well and this time some good link up play between Matt and Sion saw us create a great chance to take the lead, this time Matt’s chance was superbly blocked by Connah’s Quay’s captain.
 The game was now end to end and Connah’s Quay had the next chance when they played the ball from the back and found Tom Lloyd who smashed a wicked shot against our cross bar which rebounded out to Chris Owen who marauded down the left hand side and delivered a great ball into the box but sadly missed everyone. In the 60th minute Connah’s Quay attacked well and drilled in a great ball which went right across our box and Mike was alert enough to follow the ball right to the corner flag and ensured we regained possession. Again we attacked down the left hand side and this time Chris found Tom who turned well and hit a great shot which the Connah’s Quay keeper was equal to. In the 68th minute the game saw the first goal when once again Connah’s Quay were awarded a corner which again we failed to deal with and Tom Lloyd rose well and with an unchallenged header found the back of our net 0-1. Our defensive performance was poor and we were troubled with every set piece that Connah’s Quay threw at us this was a big frustration for the lads and our discipline was awful as heads started to drop. This however didn’t stop the lively Chris Owen who won a great header to send Ross on attack down the left which he obliged by beating three players but was eventually forced out by the impressive Bobby Ragget. The counter attack by Connah’s Quay caught us flat footed and a long ball forward found their number 6 in acres of space, as he composed himself ready for his strike Scott made up the ground and made a great tackle to end their opportunity, this gave us a bit of a lift and we started to play a bit better and stop the whinging which had crept into our game which was brought on by the frustrations of losing a goal. This was evident when Mike played a fantastic ball forward which Matt challenged for with their keeper and after a split second and Matt regained his bearings he volleyed home to level the score, 1-1.
 After this you could see the belief come back to the lads and as the game was edging to extra time we sprung another attack and after the ball was hit goal wards by Ross the ball bobbled around and we were only denied a goal by the hand of one of the Connah’s Quay players which the referee spotted and awarded us a pen, after the usual protests by Connah’s Quay, Dan stepped up and side footed his pen which their keeper saved well, and our chance of winning in regulation time was gone, until the referee ordered Dan to retake the pen as he adjudged the keeper to have moved off his line too quickly, this time there was no stopping Dan’s pen who smashed home to make it 2-1.

 A good battling performance which was littered with poor marking and poor discipline but thankfully see’s us into the semi final and a great confidence boost going into the last stretch of the season. Thanks to everyone who helped out on the day and all the supporters who cheered the lads onto victory.