Clubs cash in on bumper crowds

29/08/2010 @ 11:58

Clubs’ coffers have received a recession busting boost as local football’s crowds surpassed those of their Welsh Premier rivals thanks to the invasion from hundreds of Groundhoppers this weekend.

A crowd of 261 watched a lively encounter on Friday night in the Spar Mid Wales Two as Abermule beat Llanfair United while over 300 watched last night’s Welsh Cup clash of the titans between Llanidloes and Llansantffraid Village.

Spar Mid Wales League Secretary Phil Woosnam has hailed the arrival of the visitors at the half way point of their weekend tour.

“In fairness, the clubs have done a fantastic job of making them feel welcome and they seem to be thoroughly enjoying the experience of having big crowds,” he said. “The Groundhoppers head to Radnorshire today before returning to Montgomeryshire for more games tomorrow.”

Welsh Cup second qualifying round

In the Welsh Cup second qualifying round, Waterloo Rovers recorded a memorable victory on the road at Brymbo 3-1 while an extra time goal from Gareth Mansell saw Llanidloes go through 2-1 at home to Llansantffraid Village.

Clive McNamee was rueing missed chances as his Montgomery side slipped to their first defeat of the season at home to Penmaenmawr. Chances went begging before Peter Williams slotted the visitors ahead and they shocked their hosts with a second breakaway goal from Karl Rowlands before the break. McNamee shuffled his pack to 4-3-3 for the second half and bombarded the visitors’ goal but only had Gaz Bromley’s reply to show for their efforts.

“You got to take your chances,” said a pragmatic McNamee.

Llanrhaeadr’s incredible season continued with victory at Dyffryn Nantlle but Dyffryn Banw missed the influence of veteran Mark Roberts as they went down 4-0 at Gwalchmai.

Spar Mid Wales Division Two

There were Friday night fireworks at Abermule who beat nine-man Llanfair United 2-1. Player-manager Steve Andrew was one of two Llanfair players to see red along with Abermule new signing James Langford. And it was a solitary Shane Jones 40^th minute strike that divided the sides.

Four Crosses (pictured) boss Nick Popyk said “we wouldn’t have scored if we had been there til next week” as missed chances saw them held 0-0 at home to Meifod, while Llanfyllin suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Kerry and Berriew slipped up at Tywyn. Four Crosses FC

Montgomeryshire Amateur League

Llangedwyn and Churchstoke fought out a nine-goal thriller as the Montgomeryshire League kicked off in style.

A pair from Darren Edwards along with one each from Phil Morgan, Aled Morris and an own goal got Llangedwyn on their way with Churchstoke staying in touch throughout thanks to goals from Kevin Davies (2), Steffan Alsdorf and an own goal.

Goals from Dan Kenyon and Geraint Jones saw Carno Reserves beat neighbours Caersws Reserves 2-0 while Llanidloes Reserves won 3-1 at Waterloo Reserves with goals from Gregg Brown, Nick Jones and an own goal. Mike Davies netted for Rovers.

In the Mitsubishi Division 2, Llanfechain trounced Dyffryn Banw Reserves 8-0 with Dave Marshall (2), Bobbie Phillips, George Lewis, Gareth Conlin, Codey Smart, Lloyd Meredith and Clive Griffiths amongst the goals.

Newcomers Llanrhaeadr Reserves beat Waterloo Colts 4-1 with goals a hat-trick from Ellis Lewis and one from Matthew Evans doing the damage.

Luke Weaver bagged four as Welshpool Reserves won 4-3 at Trefonen who replied through Jon Beckett (2) and Mark Gallagher while a Bryn Jones penalty ensured Llansantffraid Reserves got a point against Morda with a 1-1 draw. Llanfair Reserves beat Kerry Reserves 2-1 with goals from David Wilde and Chris Evans while Carl Danson replied.

Results

Friday
Spar Division Two

Abermule 1, Llanfair Utd 0

Saturday
Welsh Cup, second qualifying round

Brymbo 1, Waterloo Rovers 3; Dyffryn Nantlle 0, Llanrhaeadr 1; Gwalchmai 4, Dyffryn Banw 0; Llanidloes Town 2, Llansantffraid Village 1 (aet); Montgomery Town 1, Penmaenmawr 2; Tywyn Bryncrug 3, Berriew 2.

Spar Division Two

Four Crosses 0, Meifod 0; Llanfyllin 2, Kerry 3; Tregaron 1, Aberaeron 0.

Honda Division One

Berriew Res v Guilsfield Res - OFF; Llangedwyn 5, Churchstoke 4; Waterloo Res 1, Llanidloes Res 3.

Mitsubishi Division Two

Dyffryn Banw Res 0, Llanfechain 8; Kerry Res 1, Llanfair Res 2; Llanrhaeadr Res 4, Waterloo Colts 1; Llansantffraid Res 1, Morda Res 1; Trefonen 3, Welshpool Res 4.

Fixtures

Principality Welsh Premier: TNS 2, Bala 1.

Monday

Spar Division One

Carno 1, Llanidloes 2

Spar Division Two

Kerry 3, Meifod 2; Montgomery 5, Llanfyllin 0.