ITS MASON AT THE DOUBLE

Friday night football again brought out the spectators, despite the weather, as Cemaes Bay were looking to make home advantage count and displace early leaders Bro Goronwy, but only a win would be good enough.

With both teams pushing forward and creating chances it was just a question of who would score first as play went from end to end. The opening goal came just before the half-hour mark and it was the `trusty’ Steve Mason who ran on to a ball played over the top to round the keeper. This lifted the hosts, but it also spurred on the visitors who were going flat out to pull it back. Yet surprisingly the half ended with just the one goal.

The second half was just ten minutes old when Bro pulled it back and it was the lively John Littlemore, finding the net for the second successive game, as he broke clear taking a ball played over the defence in his stride before slotting it home. The leaders were now full of confidence and it was no surprise when they took the lead - although Mason should have put the Bay back in front but could not convert a rebound from close range and was made to pay as Bro scored. Andy Swindells gained the ball from a throw in and danced past his marker even though he was tight on the goal line and he was able to set up Andy Williams who hit his strike on target only for stopper Jones to find the conditions difficult and let the shot slip through his grasp and into the net[62].

In their last game Bro had `lost’ late goals and Cemaes were looking to do the same to them again. They were unlucky to see one effort cleared off the line but when awarded a free- kick outside the box it was Steve Mason who was trusted with the kick, and he did not disappoint as he blasted home[72].

Then Bro were unlucky to see a shot cleared off the home goal –line as time ticked away, but both teams were still creating enough chances to snatch a winner. Substitute Sion Wyn Griffiths should have made all the Bay headlines late on but lacked a bit more composure to finish unmarked at the far post and at the other end last seasons KWAFL goalkeeper of the season, Dan Jones, ensured the points were shared,Andy Swindells mazy run setting up Littlemore who found the target only for Jones to save crucially well with his feet, and the points were shared and BRo remain top.

After the game Cemaes manager Darren was quick to praise both sides for their performances and went on to say, “It was end to end, and neither of two good sides deserved to lose”.

Picture: courtesy of jill Scholes. Goalkeeper of the season, Dan Jones sjhopws a clean p[air of hands as he takes out this Bro Goronwy cross.