CPD PENRHYNDEUDRAETH (Maes Y Parc)

FAW WELSH CUP 1st QUALIFYING ROUND, CPD PENRHYNDEUDRAETH 3-1 CPD LLANFAIR PG, ATTENDANCE: 32 (h/c)

After the long journeys of recent weeks, it was something a little closer to home that caught the eye this weekend. The early rounds of the Welsh Cup always throws up some interesting ties and this one stood out for me.

CPD Penrhyndeudraeth (which roughly translates as Peninsula with two beaches) of the Welsh Alliance Division Two were taking on CPD Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch of the Welsh Alliance Division One in the Welsh Cup.

I don't need that many grounds to complete the Alliance but Maes Y Parc was one of them. However with the benefit of hindsight maybe I should have waited until a more drier day (yes, I know that could be a long time in North Wales).

The rain was persistent all afternoon and did not let up for more than a few minutes. At the end of the game I was so wet it was like someone had poured a bucket of water over me!

The village of Penrhyndeudraeth is on the main A487 road and most people will pass the football ground as they enter the village en-route to Porthmadog or to the village of Portmerion, where cult 60's TV show 'The Prisoner' was filmed.

Despite the weather, the game was entertaining enough and Penrhyn thoroughly deserved their place in the next round of the cup.

The homesters took the game to their higher ranked visitors from the off and never gave them a chance to settle, Penrhyn playing some lovely stuff and deservedly 2-0 up at the break.

After 21 minutes a cross was headed home at the back stick by Matthew Hughes and the same player scored with another header after 39 minutes.

Llanfair came out for the second half fired up, no doubt after a good rollocking, and halved the deficit almost immediately after 48 minutes when a shot took a wicked deflection and looped over the helpless 'keeper.

They began to dominate proceedings and an equaliser looked inevitable but Penrhyn held firm and effectively sealed the tie after 72 minutes to go when they scored a third, a long range effort from Tom Hughes.

Both teams hit the woodwork but there can be no complaints about the result.

There is no football furniture at Maes Y Parc, though there is a tea hut and the welcome was warm and inviting from the chap on the gate. The pitch is just roped off and there is no hard standing. I could not wait to get home at the final whistle as I was absolutely soaked through to the skin. If I end up with pneumonia and trench foot it won't be a shock, summer football eh? Don't you just love it!