PEN-Y-FFORDD (The Castle Ground)

WELSH NATIONAL LEAGUE (WREXHAM AREA) PREMIER DIVISION, PEN-Y-FFORDD 5-2 MOLD ALEX, ATTENDANCE: 38 (h/c)

With the conclusion of the season drawing ever near, there are very few games to choose from, so as I generally do at this time of year I keep it local. Today I opted for for a visit to Pen-y-ffordd and their game with Mold Alex in the Welsh National League (WNL).

Pen-y-ffordd started out as kids team in the 1970's, set up with the aim of giving the children of the village a chance to play football. The club progressed and established a senior section in 2001. Over the next decade or so they reached the level where they are now, that is the Premier Division of the WNL.

However in order to obtain promotion they had to leave their home in Pen-y-ffordd and find a ground to satisfy league requirements. After much hard work they did just that, setting up base at 'The Castle Ground' in the grounds of the Hanson (nee Castle) Cement works in 2011. This is just down the road in Padeswood.

The club organised an official opening in the October of that year and I know many ground hoppers who attended and had nothing but praise for the club.

In contrast, today's visitors have a long and illustrious history but find themselves competing at this level after relegation from the Cymru Alliance in 2010.

This game was great entertainment as both teams decided attack was the best form of defence, maybe because the respective defences were a little suspect given what occurred in the opening 45 minutes!!



Nathan Lavender's effort nestles in the back of the net



Pen-y-ffordd took the lead after just 3 minutes when a free kick was swung into the Mold box and Nathan Lavender headed home. Two minutes later though Alex were level as Anthony Mee converted a penalty kick.

After 7 minutes Pen-y-ffordd restored their lead when Tom Hainsworth curled a delicious shot into the top corner of the net.  With 13 minutes on the clock Mold were level once again when Damon Ketly raced clear, rounded the 'keeper and rolled the ball into the unguarded net.

After 20 minutes Pen-y-ffordd were in front yet again as Hainsworth shot home for his second of the game.



Anthony Mee scores from spot to make it 1-1



There could have been many more goals in the intervening minutes as both teams missed a glut of chances, Mold were especially guilty of missing a few sitters and they were made to pay as a routine shot was initially saved by the Mold 'Keeper, before a combination of errors led to the ball squirming over the line and the 'keeper getting the final touch (41).

As was expected, the managers got hold of the teams at the break and sorted out said suspect defences so the game was a little more tighter in the second period.

One further goal after half time finally put the result beyond doubt. That came courtesy of man-of-the-match Tom Hainsworth who completed his hat-trick with a neat turn and finish (58).

The scoreline completed a miserable week for Mold Alex as they lost out on the WNL title to Chirk AAA. 

An enjoyable afternoon, despite the weather, and, as I generally find, the WNL did not disappoint and I would highly recommend a visit to Pen-y-ffordd.