Glorious Llanrhaeadr clinch title

Llanrhaeadr have pulled off one of the most remarkable league title wins in the history of Mid Wales football after clinching the Spar Mid Wales League in style last night.

 

A 5-0 victory over Aberystwyth University saw them overhaul long-time leaders Berriew to spark wild celebrations after a nine-month mission to prove the doubters wrong.

 

With all the pre-season talk of Berriew and possibly Llanidloes, Llandrindod Wells or one of the coastal sides winning the title, Llanrhaeadr, who fielded nine village lads in the side last night, just went about their business quietly and never questioned their own title credentials.

 

An early run in the Welsh Cup helped to galvanise a tremendous team spirit and in manager Mario Iaquinta (pictured), they had a footballing mind that could unlock the tightest of defences while ensuring his own experienced rearguard remained water tight.

 

Assistant manager Jamie Davies led the praise.

 

“It’s a hell of an achievement and I can’t praise the manager and the lads enough,” he said. “We lost a vital game to Berriew which meant we had to change a few things around and throw off the shackles and the lads responded by scoring plenty of goals. It is thoroughly deserved.”

 

Davies said Iaquinta had “proved himself once again to be one of the area’s top managers” and has also praised the side’s defensive qualities which saw goalkeeper Darren Powell keep 14 clean sheets.

 

He also pointed out that over 200 fans came through the gate last night, and with regular attendances in three figures, Llanrhaeadr have become one of best supported clubs in local football.

 

But now the club faces a fight off the field with an appeal to the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to overturn a decision from the Huws Gray Alliance to block their promotion.

 

“We deserve to go up as a footballing side and off the pitch we meet the criteria,” said Davies. “We will also be able to compete in the Alliance and will certainly hold our own. We have a nucleus of players good enough and have also been approached by three or four current Alliance players who want to come and play for us if we go up.”

 

That argument is expected to go before the FAW next week but, in the meantime, a full bus of supporters will accompany the team to their final match of the season at Aberystwyth University on Saturday when the journey home will be one to remember.