Post by DazaB_WCFC on Oct 4, 2009 2:24:44 GMT
Sat 3 Oct, Welsh Cup 2nd Round, 2:30pm kick off.
I started the day by popping over the river Severn from my home in St John's and into England to catch the 08:30 train to Hereford. The train was quickly going back over the Severn and directly behind my back door
(I hate going west on the train, as I always wonder if I could have had that extra half hour in bed back in the 1950's when Henwick Park Halt still existed!)
The London Midland service took me swiftly to Heryffordd where there was a half an hour wait at Customs. I eventually got a cup of tea when the dopey mare behind the counter had finished adding two and two together to make five with the customer before me. I could have made plenty of money by simply making a query about the change, but I am a good boy. Onto Cardiff Central to meet ‘ac’ and have a quick pint of Brains bitter and a spot of breakfast; 10:53am arrival, how perfect?! A further train to Bridgend followed by a rail replacement bus got us to Port Talbot Parkway for 2pm, and then a dash was on. A little bit of what can only be describes as 'buggering about' before we got our bearings together and headed past Port Talbot FC to find The "Marston's Stadium" on Princess Margaret Way. Paid the £4 and a pound for a programme and was walking towards the smaller of the two stands just as Lido took a second minute lead with a lob over the 'keeper. The home side looked stronger, more mature and the visitors seemed to panic every time they had the ball - and, indeed, at the times when they didn't have it. It seemed to be only a matter of time before the lead became three or four and the one league gap between the sides was showing quite obviously. Scrappy defending and poor finishing kept the travelling side in the game when suddenly they came alive! A quick dart down the right flank, a lovely floated cross in the whirling wind and a header saved at point blank range by the home 'keeper kept the scores level. He was called on again just minutes later to tip wide from about 10 yards out before Croesyceiliog smashed the cross bar. Half Time came, Marstons in the club bar was just about acceptable. The hot dog for 80p was very acceptable and the Cwmbran based side started the second half where they left off - an attack from the left this time led to a cross and shot just wide from inside the 6 yard box.
Afan Lido then dealt the killer blow however. From a corner Rhys Williams scored a header from an unmarked position pretty much on the goal-line. Awful Stuff. 2 became 3 not long after following a defensive clearance sliced straight to the striker, and this became 4 with a sublime half volley from the edge of the D, leaving the 'keeper with no chance. This was my cue to go and get a pasty and a cuppa (in a proper mug) The visitors pulled one back, but the 4goal lead was restored thanks to more comic defending at a corner.
The inviting club bar tempted us back in for a post match pint and I did like the idea that with a 2:30 kick off, we’d see all the non league scores go up on the vidiprinter – very happy indeed!
A lovely little club, a decent game of football if a bit one sided. Then, a trip to the beach!!!!
Photos to follow
I started the day by popping over the river Severn from my home in St John's and into England to catch the 08:30 train to Hereford. The train was quickly going back over the Severn and directly behind my back door
(I hate going west on the train, as I always wonder if I could have had that extra half hour in bed back in the 1950's when Henwick Park Halt still existed!) The London Midland service took me swiftly to Heryffordd where there was a half an hour wait at Customs. I eventually got a cup of tea when the dopey mare behind the counter had finished adding two and two together to make five with the customer before me. I could have made plenty of money by simply making a query about the change, but I am a good boy. Onto Cardiff Central to meet ‘ac’ and have a quick pint of Brains bitter and a spot of breakfast; 10:53am arrival, how perfect?! A further train to Bridgend followed by a rail replacement bus got us to Port Talbot Parkway for 2pm, and then a dash was on. A little bit of what can only be describes as 'buggering about' before we got our bearings together and headed past Port Talbot FC to find The "Marston's Stadium" on Princess Margaret Way. Paid the £4 and a pound for a programme and was walking towards the smaller of the two stands just as Lido took a second minute lead with a lob over the 'keeper. The home side looked stronger, more mature and the visitors seemed to panic every time they had the ball - and, indeed, at the times when they didn't have it. It seemed to be only a matter of time before the lead became three or four and the one league gap between the sides was showing quite obviously. Scrappy defending and poor finishing kept the travelling side in the game when suddenly they came alive! A quick dart down the right flank, a lovely floated cross in the whirling wind and a header saved at point blank range by the home 'keeper kept the scores level. He was called on again just minutes later to tip wide from about 10 yards out before Croesyceiliog smashed the cross bar. Half Time came, Marstons in the club bar was just about acceptable. The hot dog for 80p was very acceptable and the Cwmbran based side started the second half where they left off - an attack from the left this time led to a cross and shot just wide from inside the 6 yard box.
Afan Lido then dealt the killer blow however. From a corner Rhys Williams scored a header from an unmarked position pretty much on the goal-line. Awful Stuff. 2 became 3 not long after following a defensive clearance sliced straight to the striker, and this became 4 with a sublime half volley from the edge of the D, leaving the 'keeper with no chance. This was my cue to go and get a pasty and a cuppa (in a proper mug) The visitors pulled one back, but the 4goal lead was restored thanks to more comic defending at a corner.
The inviting club bar tempted us back in for a post match pint and I did like the idea that with a 2:30 kick off, we’d see all the non league scores go up on the vidiprinter – very happy indeed!
A lovely little club, a decent game of football if a bit one sided. Then, a trip to the beach!!!!
Photos to follow
;D ;D