Football: Llandudno Junction FC hit back for victory

Nov 18 2010

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION 3 GLAN CONWY 1

DESPITE conceding an early goal Junction bounced back to win Saturday’s Welsh Alliance Division One local derby at the Flyover Ground with something to spare.

Straight from the kick-off Jon Stazicker’s side were on the attack and Tom Patel fired just over from 18 yards.

However, gifting opponents early goals has been Junction’s downfall this season and their old habit cost them again in the third minute.

The visitors launched a long ball from the back and the home defence tried to lay down the offside trap, but it failed allowing Bradley Jones to run on and slot into the bottom right hand corner past keeper Kev Colville.

Glan’s Andy Booker hit a free-kick from 20 yards which Colville dealt with easily, but it was harder for Aaron Peel from Darrel Jones’ close range turn and shot which prompted a wonderful save from the visiting glovesman.

Patel was through for the hosts but his effort just cleared the bar, then Joey Jennings fired across the face of goal and Jones was inches from touching into an empty net.

Junction’s persistence paid off, though, on 35 minutes when Joel Hewitt’s fierce free-kick from 25 yards gave Peel no chance.

Jack Higgins’ overhead kick following a Glyn Lewis long throw narrowly missed for the Railwaymen, then Peel pulled off another fine stop from Higgins before Colville did well to deny Booker before the break.

The Flyover crew were dominant in the second half and took the lead on 62 minutes when Lewis’ throw was laid off by Patel into the path of the oncoming Jennings who drilled a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner.

It became 3-1 on 86 minutes when another Lewis delivery led to Jones rising highest in the six-yard box to score with a splendid header.

Peel remained a rock for Glan, though, and he did fantastically to prevent a Shaun Williams shot finding the net.

The final chance of the game saw Peel at the forefront again, the shot- stopper somehow tipping over a Tom Paddocks thunderbolt bound for the top corner.

This Saturday sees Glan Conwy continue their defence of the FAW Welsh Trophy when they entertain Coedpoeth United of the Welsh National (Wrexham Area) League Premier Division.

The tie kicks off at 2pm with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Llandudno Junction travel to Denbigh Town in the first round of the Barritt Cup (1.45pm).

Junction’s Welsh Alliance game at Holywell Town last Wednesday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.