Football: 'Annoying' draw for Llandudno

Feb 18 2010

PENRHYNCOCH 0 LLANDUDNO 0
CYMRU ALLIANCE LEAGUE

JOINT manager Grant Montgomery was totally frustrated after his Llandudno side came up against a Penrhyncoch outfit which set out with the sole intention of playing for a draw.

”It was a totally one-sided affair,” said Montgomery after Saturday’s stalemate at Cae Baker.

“Penrhyncoch were unbelievably negative – they had five at the back, five in midfield and no-one up front.

“Somehow they survived and achieved what they set out to do.

“We only needed the one goal and the floodgates would have opened, but it never came.”

Tudno encountered early problems when new signing Luke Carding, who had felt unwell on the journey down to mid-Wales, was forced to leave the field after just seven minutes.

Defender Craig Hogg was also feeling out of sorts before kick-off, but persevered and saw out the match.

The visiting side’s best chance of the first half came when Alan Roberts’ cross found Danny Hughes in a great position, but he totally miscued from six yards out.

In the second period Joe Morgan saw his thunderous shot tipped over, then Hogg headed Roberts’ delivery back across goal and on-loan Lee Davey looked certain to score, but the ball took a bobble as the striker was shaping to shoot and his effort crept agonisingly past the post.

In the final minute Gareth Evans received the ball in the box but slipped at the vital moment – and that just about summed up the Seasiders’ afternoon.

“It was very, very annoying,” added Montgomery.

“Even their manager apologised to me after the game for the way they set out.

“All it would have taken was one goal and their game plan would have been out the window, but we were unable to score it.”

Although leaders Flint were held 1-1 at home by Bethesda, third-placed Tudno were unable to capitalise.

The Maesdu Park side are still 11 points behind the stuttering Silkmen with three games in hand.

“We’ve dropped seven points now in our last four games and need to build another winning run to get back on track,” Montgomery stressed.

Llandudno will fancy their chances of maximum spoils when they visit lowly Caernarfon Town this Saturday (2.30pm).

The Seasiders hope to have Neil Coverley back from injury while Carding and Hogg are expected to return in fine fettle.

The following Saturday (February 27) Llandudno will entertain Holyhead Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the Cymru Alliance League Cup.

Holyhead were beaten finalists last season, but Tudno have defeated the Harbourmen twice this term, once in the NWCFA Challenge Cup on penalties and also 1-0 in the league at the New Stadium.