Football: Llandudno FC ready for first home game after defeat

Sep 2 2010

RHYL 2 LLANDUDNO 0

THIS Saturday Llandudno play their first home game of the season – and they would love to see a good crowd there to mark the event.

Maesdu Park has been transformed during the summer, including a total resurfacing of the pitch, and Tudno would like nothing better than to christen it with victory over Llangefni Town (kick-off 2.30pm).

Although the Seasiders lost for their first time this season last Friday at Rhyl, confidence remains high in the camp.

"We played well in stages, although we could have created a bit more," said assistant manager Grant Montgomery.

"We put up a good fight, but to be fair Rhyl are a quality side and deserved the win. If we could have scored first the outcome might have been different, but we still took plenty of positives."

Montgomery was very impressed with the crowd of 449 at Belle Vue and has dreams of seeing something similar in the future at Maesdu Park.

"The support Rhyl got was unbelievable, and although it might be a bit much to expect anything of that level, that’s the sort of direction in which we’d like to see our attendances going."

Llandudno’s recent bad luck with injuries struck again at Belle Vue when new left-winger Alec Williams had to be stretchered off with what turned to be a double cheekbone fracture following a sickening collision with team- mate Joe Morgan just 30 seconds into the game.

"For it to happen in a big game like that on a ground where Alec did his pre-season training and was keen to make an impression was very hard to take," added Montgomery. "It’s just been a nightmare for us lately with injuries."

The first half did not deliver much in the way of clear-cut chances with Lilywhites keeper Anthony Costa dealing comfortably with firm efforts struck straight at him from Gareth Evans, Lee Thomas and ex-Wrexham prospect Jordan Kane.

Early in the second stanza Llandudno had a great opportunity when Gareth Evans centred low from the byeline to find Morgan who was denied from point blank range by the brilliance of Costa.

As the game wore on the hosts began to increase the pressure and the introduction of substitutes John Toner and Michael Pritchard proved decisive.

On 72 minutes Lee Jones lobbed a high ball into the box, a frantic scramble followed and eventually Toner bundled home.

Rhyl were now rampant and Paul Whitfield made two great stops before on 82 minutes Pritchard lashed home the second.

Costa pulled off another great stop from Thomas as determined Llandudno sought a consolation.

Llandudno: Whitfield, Roberts, Eardley, Hughes, W Williams, Morgan (Guerrero 75), Evans, Cleary, Thomas, Kane, A Williams (Hoyle 5 – Stapleton 65). Not used: Duffield.