Football: Llandudno Junction FC boss pleased with draw

Dec 16 2010

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION 1 BETHESDA ATHLETIC 1

ALTHOUGH unable to repeat their 7-0 thrashing of Bethesda earlier in the season, Llandudno Junction manager Jon Stazicker was still pleased with his team’s display at the Flyover on Saturday.

The Railwaymen were much the better side for the majority of this Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One encounter, but came up against a man mountain in Pesda keeper Elliott Smith.

"We outclassed Bethesda with the way we played football today," said Stazicker after the match.

"With the clear cut chances we created we were unlucky not to take all three points, but I was very pleased with the performance and the way we moved the ball to a high standard."

The visitors went close with a couple of early shots before they took a 23rd minute lead, Brian Roberts latching on to a nice ball from midfield before firing low into the bottom corner.

Junction had a great chance to equalise when Mike Roose picked up a loose ball in the box and was brought down by Anthony Wilson.

Up stepped Jack Higgins to take the resultant penalty but his strike to the left hand corner was touched on to the woodwork by keeper Smith.

It was Smith who was the hero again before half time, keeping out a powerful 12-yard hit from Joey Jennings.

After the interval Higgins’ turn and shot from 12 yards was saved well at the foot of the post from Smith.

Mitchell Booth then fed Roose who skipped past three Bethesda defenders, rounded Smith, but blasted against the woodwork. Jennings’ 20-yard stinger was then tipped over by Smith.

Former Athletic defender Glyn Lewis crossed from the right into the Bethesda box, but Booth’s header was brilliantly thwarted one-handed by the ultra-busy Smith.

Junction kept pressing and Booth flicked the ball to the far post but an unmarked Higgins somehow put his attempt wide.

Booth was pulling all the strings in midfield and his cross from the right picked out Roose who amazingly managed to put his free header over the bar.

Junction were outclassing Bethesda with high tempo football and movement and the inevitable equaliser finally arrived.

Substitute John Blundell centred from the right to the far post for top marksman Higgins to finish off from close range for his 15th goal of the season.

Booth’s shot from 12 yards skimmed the post and before the end Gwyn Peters headed against the bar and Booth hit the woodwork.

But for the heroics of Smith and the solid parts of the goal it would surely have been a comfortable Junction win but Bethesda were more than happy to take a point.

Llandudno Junction travel to Nefyn United for a league match this Saturday (2pm kick-off)