NEWFA Cup Final: Buckley Town 3-0 Airbus UK

The NEWFA Cup Final presented an opportunity to take a look at the Racecourse Ground following the end of Wrexham FC's season a couple of weeks ago.

As Media Officer for Buckley Town it was pleasing to see them lift the trophy following a dramatic game which saw them overcome a strong Airbus UK second string. Having missed an early penalty and then reduced to 10 men - with forward Neil Wynne taking over in goal for half an hour - it was even more remarkable that Buckley dominated the game and won 3-0 thanks to some excellent goals.

A full match report and more pictures can be found at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/

As for the Racecourse - developments are quickly starting to take shape, certainly the speed in which the flats are being built on the car park right next to the Yale Stand. Unfortunately they will overlook a pitch in its worst state for quite some time. Clearly the demands of top-flight Rugby League (Crusaders RL) and Blue Square Premier football are taking their toll. Its pock-marked, the white markings for both sports clash and are unclear, while the ball bobbles when passed along the ground.

Pitch apart, it was a great way to end the term from a Buckley Town perspective with some silverware and Cymru Alliance status assured - follwoing an enjoyable and entertaining season.

NEWFA Challenge Cup Semi-Final: Buckley Town 2-1 Chirk AAA

The above pictures are from Buckley Town's hard-fought 2-1 NEWFA Challenge Cup Semi-Final win over Chirk AAA played at a neutral venue - the Brymbo Sports Complex.

The lower level side made it a difficult afternoon for Buckley but a classy finish from Colin Quirk 10 minutes from time put the 'Bucks' into the final. They will now meet Welsh Premier side Airbus UK in the final to be played at Wrexham FC's Racecourse Ground on Tuesday 4th May.

Brymbo is located up in the hills outside Wrexham with the Sports Complex's football pitch in a particularly nice spot. On one side there is a small seated stand and across from that a sheltered standing area while the main building hosts the sort of facilities that the local community can take pride in. With the sun out too - overall it was a particularly good afternoon for those with an affinity to Buckley Town.

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.

February Update

With the weather starting to settle down allowing more football to be played - it has been an interesting few weeks. The above images are from recent trips to watch Tranmere Rovers and Gresford Athletic.

After the disappointment of the Oldham game I went to watch Tranmere at Prenton Park a fortnight later as they took on Leyton Orient in League 1. The Rovers put on a much better display with great strikes from Ian Thomas-Moore and Marvin Sordell giving them a precious 3 points in their battle to avoid the drop. A good run of form recently has seen them climb out of the relegation zone - all the more impressive given that it's the physio - Les Parry - leading the club.

Leyton Orient were slightly disappointing considering the experience they had in the likes of ex-Rover Sean Thornton (who got a 'warm' reception from the Prenton faithful) and journeyman Scott McGleish. Rovers played some good football going and were committed throughout and that was the difference despite Jonathan Tehoue's late consolation.

The trip to Clappers Lane - home of Gresford Athletic and the Cymru Alliance's bottom club - was with divisional rivals Buckley Town for a NEWFA Cup tie. This will probably be Gresford's last season in Welsh football's second tier for some time. Despite representing a fairly upmarket, leafy village the football club relies on the efforts of a very small band of followers to keep it going. The ground is basic even at Cymru Alliance level - tucked just behind the Village Hall - and on a bitterly cold February afternoon with a freezing wind the lack of cover is particularly noticeable.

The club are very hospitable and welcoming though - and I look forward to a return trip in the league next month when hopefully the temperature is slightly warmer. On this occasion Buckley ran out 3-0 winners and after an uncomfortable start, progressed smoothly to the next round.

Issue 139 of Welsh Football Magazine is out featuring my article on Elements Cefn Druids see - http://www.welsh-football.net/ for details. Issue 140 should be out in March for which I have written an article on the progress of the Wales Under-17 side of 2005.

Buckley Town 4-1 Llangollen Town

http://www.buckleytownfc.com/

See above for my match report on Buckley Town's 4-1 win against Llangollen Town in the Cymru Alliance. For long periods of the game Buckley's Globe Way ground was covered in fog as can be seen from the above photo's. However - it did not prevent Neil Wynne, Joey Desormeaux and an own goal giving the Bucks the points in their first home game for two months.

It will be less of a wait until the next home game as Buckley host Penryncoch at The Globe on Saturday. Admission - £4 adults, £1 for concessions and children under 10 free.

Update

Due to the poor weather there has been a lack of action locally in recent weeks hence the blog being a bit quiet. At Buckley Town alone three successive games were postponed during November.

When the action did resume at Globe Way supporters were treated to 4-4 thriller against Bethesda Athletic. My match report of that game can be found on the club's website at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/ and also now in the club's matchday programme. Buckley's next scheduled fixture at The Globe is against Penryncoch in the Cymru Alliance, 2:30 PM kick-0ff on Saturday 12th December and admission is £4 for adults, £1 concessions, children under 10 are free. It's well worth a visit for some good football, a friendly atmosphere at a progressive club and ground.

My article on the progress of North-East Wales clubs towards their application for the FAW Domestic Licence appeared in Issue 137 of Welsh Football Magazine last month. Hopefully another piece I have written will appear in Issue 138 which should be out shortly before Christmas. The publication's website site is at- http://www.welsh-football.net/.

Lastly, I have also begun writing for a website called 'A Different League' which provides intelligent insight, commentary and information on Premiership and European football. My first article, about former Wrexham, Blackburn and current Olympiakos striker Matt Derbyshire has appeared in their 'England's Future Stars' section and can be found at - http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/

Update

The blog has been quiet of late as I have taken up the position of Media Officer at ambitious Cymru Alliance club Buckley Town. It's an exciting time to join the club as they push for a Domestic Licence to eventually gain promotion to the Welsh Premier. This means that I will be at as many of their games as possible with match reports on their excellent website at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/.

I still intend to visit other clubs in the area when time allows and will continue to write features and comment.

I have also made a contribution to issue 137 of Welsh Football Magazine, an independent publication which should be available in early November - see www.welsh-football.net/

Buckley Town 1-1 Llanfair PG

Last week it was an executive box at Wrexham FC, this week it was the home of Wrexham’s reserve team at local Cymru Alliance side Buckley Town. Their Globe Way Ground is an impressive set-up worthy of the Welsh Premier status that Buckley hope to eventually attain.

In previous years the club have had to forfeit promotion from the regional league to the national division due to ground grading requirements, but that should not be a problem in future.

Globe Way hosts an impressive clubhouse, plenty of covered seating and standing areas and most importantly an excellent playing surface. As a bonus the ground has the landscape of Etna Park woods as a backdrop.

Currently the team assembled by recently-appointed manager Gareth Thomas isn’t quite a match for their surroundings. After an indifferent start they lie in mid-table with promotion to next season’s Welsh Premier ‘Super 12’ beyond them unless they hit form soon.

Visiting Llanfair PG (full name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch) from near Bangor hadn’t made the best of starts either, hovering near the foot of the table and seemingly there for the taking.

The game began scrappily without either side settling down or managing to create an opening. The home side looked the livelier without really testing Llanfair goalkeeper Ben Heald.

It wasn’t until the stroke of half-time when Liam Caddick drilled the ball home from inside the area that Buckley broke the deadlock. Taking the lead at the break should have been the catalyst for them to impose their dominance and wrap up the win in the second-half.

The visitors continued to work hard in the second period though, denying the likes of Eric Ramsey the time and space in the Buckley midfield. As the clock ticked on they crept further forward and sensed opportunities.

At the other end Wes Brereton did go close for Buckley after some excellent solo work and Caddick nearly added to his goal with a fierce shot that struck the outside of a post. Buckley weren’t lacking for chances.

With around quarter of an hour to go, Llanfair snatched a deserved leveller in much the same style as Buckley’s goal.

The equaliser triggered an end-to-end game with both sides believing they could win it, both desperate to take all 3 points. Llanfair had more of the possession whereas Buckley appeared to lack a telling final ball and ideas in the final third.

Ultimately though the home side defended well, marshalled by big No.5 Paul Connelly, and ensured they held onto the draw. However they might well be kicking themselves that they didn’t win it when they had the chance – and allowed the away side back into the game.

Neither team will be totally happy with the stalemate given their positions in the table, but Llanfair will see it as a point won from a tough away game. Buckley will see it as another two dropped.

It looks as if it could be another season before this still to gel Buckley side gain the Welsh Premier status their ground and excellent facilities merit.


Man of the Match: Paul Connelly. The tall centre-half was vocal and imposing throughout. He won most things in the air at the back, kept the back-line organised and provided a threat at set-pieces at the other end.