Llandudno Town

The opportunity of a trip to the North Wales coast was something to look forward to as Buckley Town travelled to Llandudno Town in the Cymru Alliance. Both sides are in the top four looking to finish strongly and be in contention for promotion next season.

Llandudno came out on top in this game and deserved their 2-0 victory to stay in third - and off-the-field must be very close to gaining the FAW Domestic Licence which will enable them to accept promotion should they achieve it.

They have a strong squad at this level with the likes of ex-Wrexham and Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Paul Whitfield easily comfortable at a higher level.

Their Maesdu Park home would be fairly impressive by current Welsh Premier standards. Three sides have plenty of cover and seating with a cafe, large clubhouse and many other facilities housed behind the open end. It is clear the club has worked hard on investment in not only a well-appointed football ground but something that the whole community can enjoy.

Despite the cold wind which held the ball up for long periods of the game - the sunshine and the backdrop of the surrounding scenic landscape added to the experience. Another friendly club - I wish them well in their quest to go up but not at Buckley Town's expense!

Lex XI 0-2 Buckley Town

For a full match report visit http://www.buckleytownfc.com/.

I must have passed Stansty Park - home of Cymru Alliance side Lex XI - hundreds of times over the last decade on the way into Wrexham, most often to watch Wrexham FC less than a mile away on the other side of the big roundabout leading to the town centre. Until last Saturday however, I had never watched a game there.

The triangular patch of land located between Summerhill and the dual carriageway leading out of town used to be where Wrexham FC trained until their superb Colliers Park training complex was built in the late 1990's. Now the Stansty land provides the training ground for the Crusaders Rugby League club who have recently moved to the town.

Lex XI (formed by a group of Wrexham solicitors in the 1960's) have played there for some years now and despite the basic facilities and lack of finances often perform better than more touted, affluent sides at this level. This cold and wet Saturday afternoon saw most spectators huddled behind the goal where the only cover and seating could be found, the rest of the ground being open - and probably quite nice when the sun is out. The surroundings are relatively picturesque and overall Lex XI are another example of a warm, welcoming club kept going by a dedicated band of volunteers - including their players.

On a day when Wrexham FC's attendance continued to dwindle due to poor form and poor football it would be nice to think smaller, local clubs like Lex XI will be benefiting with football fans in the area looking elsewhere for their fix.

The home side are certainly giving plenty of effort in their bid to maintain their ever-present Cymru Alliance status. Thankfully from a Buckley Town perspective substitute Phil Molyneux provided the extra bit of quality needed to edge ahead with two well taken finishes. As well as the points it also provided revenge for a surprise home defeat inflicted by Lex the previous month.

March 2010

The above pictures are of Alyn Park - home of Cymru Alliance side Mold Alexandra - from the local derby at home to Buckley Town. As always this Flintshire derby was keenly contested - Buckley emerging with a 2-0 win.

As can be seen the set-up at Mold Alex is fairly basic with just one side providing cover and a stand with the rest open. It'd hard to believe they were part of the Welsh Premier in its 'League of Wales' early days and since the mid-1990's have fallen some way from the top-flight. They are sometimes better known for the professionals they have produced in the junior teams - Manchester United's Michael Owen to name one.

Recent years have seen them climb back up though - the hard work and dedication of the current committee and playing staff (none of the players are paid anything) has seen them into the top 8 ahead of bigger names in the league. Hopefully they will go on to secure their status in the division - to continue the derby tradition and as a reward for the hard work of everyone at the club.