Elements Cefn Druids 1-2 Haverfordwest County

An Easter Bank Holiday Monday saw a trip to Plaskynaston Lane - home of the self-professed 'Oldest Football Club in Wales - Elements Cefn Druids, known as the Ancients.

Based in the Wrexham village of Cefn Mawr their quaint Plaskynaton Lane home has plenty of character and charm - but not the required facilities to gain an FAW Domestic Licence. This will be the Druids last full season at the ground before they move to a new-purpose built venue in nearby Rhosymedre which should meet all the new specifications. By then though, the Druids will be playing at a lower level in the Cymru Alliance for the first time in over a decade.

Unfortunately their history is all they've had to cheer about this season as they have languished at the bottom of the Welsh Premier, fielding a youthful side having had to slash their budget by 50% just prior to Christmas. Needless to say a number of players left but to their credit many have stuck around.

Attendances are regularly low despite nearby Wrexham FC's recent decline and dire performances at non-league level, they pulled in over 2,000 for a dismal draw against part-time Gateshead, while simultaneously Haverfordwest's visit to Druids brought a measly 64 spectators to Plaskynaston.

It is under these conditions that old Wrexham FC favourites Waynne Phillips & Lee Jones have done a superb job of keeping the Druids competitive. There are more connections to Wrexham FC's better days with Trinidad & Tobago World Cup star Dennis Lawrence also helping out, while the team-sheet includes sons of three notable ex-Wrexham players: Josh Russell - son of Kevin 'Rooster' Russell, Craig Pejic (son of Mel Pejic, brother of Shaun Pejic) and Jonathan Rush (son of ex-Wales & Liverpool goalscoring legend Ian Rush).

Despite their struggles the Druids soldier on and this game was no different. Haverfordwest - looking to secure their place in next season's 'Super 12' only took the lead on the stroke of half-time. They doubled it not long after the resumption but Druids were not outplayed or outfought.

With less than 20 minutes to go the Ancients had their playing co-manager, 40 year-old Waynne Phillips pulling the strings in midfield, sent off for a second bookable offence. Pleasingly they pulled a goal back as Rush scrambled in a consolation that gave Haverfordwest a nervy finish to the game.

Hopefully it will not be too long before the Druids return to the Welsh Premier - which would be a fitting reward for the small band of people who keep them going.

Man of the Match: Josh Griffiths. It was difficult to pick one player out of a real team effort but the dimunitive teenage wide-player for Cefn Druids stood out with his close-control and willingness to carry the ball forward.

Airbus UK 2-0 Newtown

With many local games in the North Wales region falling to the weather over the last week it was a nice surprise to find that this Welsh Premier fixture at The Airfield was still on. That said the prospect of getting soaked seemed to have a negative effect on the attendance although the away turn-out was good.

Broughton based hosts Airbus UK are having a good season and ground improvements notwithstanding, look on course to be a part of the reduced Welsh Premier ‘Super 12’ next season.

The away side Newtown from mid-Wales are also hoping to continue in the top-flight. Their ground is one of the league’s more impressive and should have no problems gaining a Domestic Licence. However they have struggled to find consistency so far this season and are in the wrong half of the table, though manager Darren Ryan is considered one of the Premier’s brightest prospects.

Featuring in their line-up was 18 year-old Obi Anoruo on loan from Wrexham where he made an impression at the end of last season, grabbing a couple of goals showing pace and an eye for goal.

Conditions were dreadful with swirling wind and rain throughout the game really affecting the play.

The visitors looked very poor. The Wingmakers took control of the game and went close with a few pieces of magic from Marc Lloyd-Williams creating openings in the box but firing just wide.

The veteran marksman and the league’s all-time leading goalscorer provided the only real spark in a drab game.

When Newtown did have possession they looked toothless, unable to feed their front two, supply a telling cross or provide a decent final ball.

Anoruo hardly had a kick and was subbed half-way through the second-half. His lack of presence in the game owed more to the poor quality build-up play and lack of service from his team-mates than his own frustrated efforts.

Newtown were a goal down by half-time. An Airbus corner was cleared from the 6 yard-box where Carl Owen pounced to give the home side the lead in scrappy fashion. It was nothing less than they deserved though.

Into the second-half Newtown did raise their game a little bit but defensively Airbus were more than equal to their threat.

The game was put beyond doubt in the closing stages when the away side failed to clear their lines leading goalkeeper David Maguire to race off his line. With the ball falling to Airbus midfielder Danny Desormeaux though, Maguire had strayed too far and Desormeaux comfortably placed his shot around the ‘keeper to make it 2-0.

Airbus manager Craig Harrison will be the happier of the two managers, a polished performance from his team in form puts them firmly in the top-half of the table.

The main concern will be whether they receive a grant from the Football Trust in time to increase the seating available at the Airfield ready for next season.

For Newtown, manager Darren Ryan will be looking for a response from his side in effort and performance to show they are serious about staying in the top-flight. It would be a shame if Newtown were not a part of the Welsh Premier set-up next season.

Man of the Match: Danny Desormeaux. The Airbus midfielder worked hard in the engine room throughout game and his efforts were rewarded with his well-taken goal near the end.

Airbus UK 3-1 Haverfordwest County

An overcast afternoon spent in the shadow of the giant Airbus factory in Broughton, near Chester, provided the backdrop for my for my first taste of Welsh Premier action of this season.

The hosts Airbus UK are a well-run friendly club based within the grounds of the plane-making factory and runway. The Airfield is a welcoming little ground with a social club on one side and a covered, seated stand on the other.

The ‘Wingmakers’ aren’t big-hitters in Wales’s top flight but have held their own since promotion 5 years ago. Managed by former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace midfielder Craig Harrison, notable amongst their ranks are the Welsh Premier’s all-time top goalscorer Marc Lloyd-Williams and ex-Wrexham goalkeeper Kristian Rogers.

The away side Haverfordwest had made a better start to the season under ex-Man.U defender Derek Brazil and are a solid Welsh Premier outfit.

The game began at a good tempo and as with a lot of part-time non-league football was end to end with plenty of committed challenges. Gradually the home side were on top and took the lead shortly before half-time.

The visitors’ otherwise excellent goalkeeper Lee Idzi spilled the ball when collecting it in an aerial challenge, only to see it fall to Carl Owen. The tall No.9 did the hard work in creating the angle to slot home.

Haverfordwest came out after the break visibly fired up and were back on terms almost immediately. A fierce Robbie Walters shot cannoned off the underside of the bar beating Rogers and landing just over the goal-line for the equaliser.

Airbus were still the better side though and regained the lead through Marc Lloyd-Williams. Controlling the ball on his chest in the area he found the space to turn and lash home one of his trademark goals to make it 2-1.

Lloyd-Williams then turned provider to wrap up the points sending over a cross for hard-working midfielder Matty Cook to volley the 3rd goal. Haverfordwest couldn’t complain, they were second best for much of the afternoon and created fewer chances.

It was the first win of the season for Airbus. With the top-flight restructuring next season meaning fewer teams involved, they stand as good a chance as any of making up the ‘Super 12’. Like most sides in the division they draw regular crowds of just a few hundred people but their facilities and on-field play could make the difference.

Haverfordwest should be in with a shout of making the cut too, but will have to improve their performances on this showing.


Man of the Match: Marc Lloyd-Williams. Still leading the league’s goalscoring charts at the age of 36, the veteran striker continues to show why he had spells in the Football League and is one of the most-feared strikers domestically. Diminutive and hard-working, he showed his class by scoring his 5th of the season and creating the assist for Cook’s goal.