BASTON BAGS LATE WINNER - AGAIN - FOR BRIDGE

LEAGUE ROUND UP 29th MARCH 2014

In the Kon X Wales Anglesey Football League, third placed, Menai Bridge Tigers were looking for maximum points to make up ground on the leaders as they faced a Holy Isle side full of confidence having won their last three games on the trot. Tigers soon realised why the visitors had done so well recently and knew they were in for a tough game. Electing to play with the wind at their backs they pressed hard but found the Isle defence rock solid. Once a Tigers player had evaded a tackle, there would be another straight after which invariably did win the ball as the visitors seemed to be able to `double-up’ on opponent as they gave their all for the cause. It wasn’t all defence though, and they were quick to break looking to catch their hosts out. In fact they did have the ball in the net from captain Anthony Platt strike, only to see it ruled out and Tigers suffered a similar fate some ten minutes later. With half-time approaching a brilliant ball, over the defence found Danny Brookwell running in from the right, inside the penalty box, and with only the keeper Farrell to beat, he elected to try and `chip’ him but only managed to lift it in to the safety of the Farrell’s arms .Lance Williams close control saw him fend off two defenders but twice dragged his shot wide of the upright. Isle conceded a couple of free-kicks on the edge of their box but one was driven high over the cross bar with Farrell making a tremendous save from the second and the half ended goal-less. Desperate for maximum points the hosts upped a gear in the second half but still couldn’t get the break-through and when Danny Brookwell did beat the keeper the cross bar came to Holy Isle rescue. Manager Sean Brett believing `lightning strikes twice’, brought on David Baston, who came on at Llangoed recently to head a late, late winner, but with time fast running out it looked like Isle were going to share the points and do neighbours Morawelon a big favour. But, in the eighty eighth minute Tigers took a long throw and as the ball was flicked on, it seemed the keeper had it, but it squeezed through his grasp to.................................... David Baston who headed home the winner, much to the delight of the home supporters, and relief of Manager Brett. Though the neutrals in the crowd could have nothing but sympathy for Holy Isle putting up such a tremendous effort. Isle, manager, Scott Marsden, sportingly said after the game “...My players had the belief and desire to win and it makes it all worthwhile when they perform like that. Credit to Menai Bridge for fighting just as hard and grabbing the winner right at the death, it hurt, as I thought we deserved a draw, but they got the goal so they deserved the win”
The three points now bring the Tigers to within a point of Leaders Morawelon but, significantly, with two games in hand. Manager Sean Brett though will not be fooling himself and realizes that now, with the games coming `thick and fast’ they need to re-discover the form and performances that were the norm before the enforced `long lay-off’ if they are to be `crowned champions’.

Llangoed and District, after coming so close to defeating Menai Bridge on their own ground last week played hosts to Cemaes Bay with hopes of maintaining fourth place - despite missing one or two regulars. The game proved to be a tight affair particularly in the first half with neither side able to find the net.
The second half proved to be different and twelve minutes later Sam Aspinall put the Bay in front and despite creating a number of openings the hosts were unable to pull it back and with ten minutes remaining Sion Wyn Griffiths grabbed a second to put the Bay firmly in the driving seat...........well for two minutes at least, when leading scorer Corrig McGonigl worked his way into the box and pulled it back to 2-1 to make for an exciting final eight minutes. But the Bay, determined to keep what they had, held firm to return home with three valuable points.

The defeat of Llangoed left Aberffraw with the opportunity to take over fourth spot, all be it on goal difference, but first they had to account for visitors Llanfairpwll ‘Reserves. With a striker like Gary Bolton in your ranks that is not too difficult if he is on form................ and was he on form!!! After just twenty minutes he raced on to an inviting pass lifted over the opposition defence to allow his pace to see him in a one-on-one with the keeper .... and that was one nil. Four minutes later the lead was doubled, this one coming from an unusual source as David Harper stuck his first goal for the club much to his and his team-mates joy.
The second half belong to Aberffraw and Bolton in particular as he grabbed his second [70] and with ten minutes left on the clock, he ran through chased by a defender, and as the keeper came out he delicately chipped the ball him for a well, deserved hat-trick. This was a confidence booster for Beffro who clash with Menai Bridge in the all Anglesey semi-final of the NWCFA Junior cup next Saturday.

In the final game Newborough are finding life difficult at the bottom, and especially as Valley and Holy Isle are moving further away from them. On Saturday they welcomed Llangefni Town who went on to score seven, Steve Jones[16], Dave Jones [10,75], Llion Williams [80], Dylan Williams [70], Jason Williams [35] and Darren Roberts [85]. The Newborough goal came, fittingly from Gerwyn Williams who received the oppositions vote as Man of the match.

Picture courtesy of Paul Harper,
Whilst it looks like the LLanfairpwll keeper gets a glove to the ball, this chip bt Gary Bolton hit the net to complete his hat-trick,