Conwy Borough 1 CPD Y Felinheli 2
Ardal North West League
15th Aug 2023
Y Morfa stadium Conwy
Match sweet liquorish blackcurrants
Our new roving reporter Paul, Boosh Taliesin @BooshPemberton, turns his eye to an Ardal North West League game at the beautiful Y Morfa ground.
They say the more you slip down the leagues, the more agricultural the football becomes. Tonight’s match on Y Morfa dispelled that myth.
Y Morfa, the home of Conwy Borough, is one of the most scenic of Cyrmu football grounds. Nestled on a beachy cove below Mynedd Y Dref, the foothills of Eryri. This is where Richard II’s armies camped just before he was captured close by. The Mulbury floating harbour used on D-Day was built here. Though tonight we were here for football and the new look Conwy Team.
Conwy were relegated from the Cymru North last season, and a mass exodus of players means this is a new look Conwy side for Anthony Weaver, the club manager. Felinheli are a well regarded Gwynedd side, with a strong local passionate following.
Conwy started the brightest with an early corner, poorly defended by Felinheli. A subsequent mistimed tackle lead to a free kick in a dangerous position for Conwy. Though the home side failed to capitalise on the shot, just shaving the far post.
The game then settled into a midfield battle, with occasional forays into each others box. Isaac Carey, Conwy’s no 7 had some success on the right, with some decent crosses and tricky runs cutting into the box. A decent cross was met by the head of Tomas Carias Williams, Conwy’s massive defender to skitter just over the bar.
Felinheli had their chances too, Tommi Llywelyn and Gruff John, exposing some frailty in the Conwy defence. Conwy’s keeper the excellent young talent Brad Farrar pulling off some great saves. He’s definitely one to watch.
Then on the 42 min an excellent through ball from Stevie Jones put Isaac Carey through on goal. One nil Conwy.
Felinheli took their cue from the restart. A half shot from Iwan Owen was pounced upon by Gruff Jones to level the game on 44 mins.
Half time at Y Morfa, the sky turned crimson, floodlight sparked to life and the supporters headed for much needed refreshment.
Felinheli started the second half with greater urgency. Whatever their manager Euron Davies said at half time must have worked. Felin tightened up their shape and a wave of yellow and green crashed down on Conwy’s defence. Conwy resigned to last gasp tackles and some quality keeping from Brad Farrar. In the 70th minute a great cross from Tommi Llwelyn found Gruff Jones who buried the ball in the back of the Conwy net.
The rest of the match was played put with Felin trying to capitalise on their dominance, pulling Conwy out of shape. Felin were closing down Conwy at every turn. Conwy were reduced to one speculative effort that flew over the Felin goal, so high it came down with snow on.
A quick word with the liner revealed one minute of extra time (what other league would allow you to have a chat with the officials?). The final result Conwy Borough 1 CPD Felinheli 2, a fair result as Felin were far the better side in the second half.
For me the Seren y gem was the pacey Tommi Llywelyn who was at the heart of all the good play by Felinheli.
The result for Conwy sees them near the bottom of the league, but this is a side rebuilding and given time I am sure Anthony Weaver will have them rising back up the league. Felinheli were the bookies tip to go down this season. But performances like this evening show a statement of intent that Euron Davies will more than keep this side up.
All photos are courtesy of author.