Football: Pwllheli rampant

Aug 28 2008

LLANBERIS 0 PWLLHELI 4

WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE

LLANSANTFFRAID VILLAGE 2 PWLLHELI 3

FAW TROPHY ROUND ONE

IT has been a flying start to the season for Pwllheli.

On Tuesday night the Llyn side completed their second successive league win in some style at Llanberis three days after they had claimed another epic cup success in Mid-Wales.

At Ffordd Padarn on Tuesday, first half goals from Peter Griffith, Neil Jones and Gwyn Jones put Pwll in total command. The scoring was rounded off by Gwyn Jones in the 82nd minute.

For the second week running Pwllheli had to make a long trek to central Wales on Saturday.

The previous weekend it was Rhayader, who Dylan Williams’ side beat 4- 2 in the Welsh Cup, and seven days later came a journey to Treflan, the former home of Welsh Premier giants The New Saints, to play Llansantffraid Village in the FA of Wales Trophy.

The home side appeared the more threatening in the early stages with Steve Tomkins and fellow striker Gary Meredith looking very dangerous.

It was these two that combined on six minutes to put the home side ahead, former Newtown striker Meredith crossing and Tomkins headed home firmly across keeper Kevin Davies.

Indeed the Pen Llyn side could have been further behind in the first period as Tomkins also hit the post.

A couple of efforts from Chris Griffith and Gareth Jones Evans, which flew just wide, were Pwllheli’s only retorts.

The first action of the second half saw a Pwllheli equaliser. Sixteen-year- old Gareth Jones Evans hit a glorious shot from out on the left which sailed in at the far post giving James Hayes no chance in the home goal.

Pwllheli seemed to be taking charge, but suffered a setback on 61 minutes when Tomkins again finished low from six yards after a cross from the right was half cleared.

With Pwllheli getting stronger by the minute, though, it was no surprise when captain Neil Jones joined the attack on 75 minutes and was set up by Ben Chippendale for a stunning 30- yard shot which flew into the top corner.

The winning goal arrived with just three minutes left.

Again Chippendale was the architect with a run down the right hand side of the box before squaring for substitute Steve Jones who tapped in from six yards.

Pwllheli will hope to make it five straight wins when they visit Conwy United for a Welsh Alliance fixture on Saturday.