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TT No.16: Barry Neighbour - WELSH HOP (Fri 25th and Sat 26th Sugust 2006) |
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Friday 25th August 2006 - Trelewis Welfare 3 Graig 3; South Wales Amateur League 2; 20 page programme; Attendance: 209; Rating:4*
This game was originally scheduled to be the opening fixture at Trelewis Welfare's new ground which we passed on the way through the village. As the ground is not ready the game took place at the Old Ground at Welfare Park which is situated at the top of the Village looking out at the surrounding mountains. Refreshments were available in the pavilion which also houses the bowls clubhouse. The game itself was very entertaining. The visitors looked like winning at a canter as their pace continued to unsettle Trelewis and it was no surprise to see them take an early lead which was soon doubled by half-time. In the second-half Trelewis were thrown a lifeline as they got a goal back but within ten minutes Graig scored a third and the game seemed over. The hosts scored what seemed a consolation goal in the last minute but shocked the visitors with a last gasp equalizer deep into injury time to force the draw. This was a great start to the hop which continued with four more games the following day... Saturday 26th August 2006; Llanharry 4 Brynna 3; South Wales Amateur League 2; 16 Page Programme; Attendance: 265; Rating: 4*
A cracking match to start the day at Llanharry. Played on the local Recreation Ground with a railed-off pitch. Llanharry dominated the first-half and raced into a 4-1 lead. Brynna, last season's Bridgend & District Premier League Champions, seemed to be struggling at the higher level but found their feet a bit in the second-half to pull two goals back. Unfortunately it was too little too late. Cambrian & Clydach Vale Boys & Girls 2 Caldicot Town 1; Welsh League 2; 24 Page Programme; Attendance: 211; Rating:3*
A trip to Clydach and into the Welsh League. Cambrian have a tidy ground with a small stand on the side. The game was a lot tighter than the previous matches seen and consequently produced fewer chances and fewer goals. Cambrian led by a single goal at the break but Caldicot equalized before a second goal sealed the points for the home side. Turberville Arms 1 Ton & Gelli BC 1; South Wales Amateur League 2; 12 Page programme; Attendance: 229; Rating:3 *
Having no permanent facilities to print programmes, Turberville Arms issued for the first (and possibly the last time) running copies off at the local Co-O!!. The game itself was an evenly fought contest with the home side being pegged back before the break after taking the lead. The second-half saw both teams cancel each other out to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Aber Valley YMCA 3 Taffs Well Reserves 0; South Wales Amateur League 1; 24 Page programme; Attendance: 318 (Welsh Hop Record); Rating:3*
The visitors started quite brightly but Aber Valley then got a grip on the game and led 1-0 at the break. The home side grew stronger as the game went on and eventually ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Taffs Well misery was completed when their substitute was sent off in the final minute. No covering and a 40 minute wait at the burger van before the kick-kff put a bit of a dampner on the day. That was soon forgotten as most of the 'hoppers made their way back to the Otley Arms in Treforest. |
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contributed on 01/09/06 |
