Cup Final Tickets

Bizarre period - out of the Welsh Cup after ending up with 8 men, Neil Gibson got sent off one game before he got on for running past the Port Talbot bench (revoked by the FAW) and one of the PT coaching fannies went down because of the wind drag because he never fucking touched him.

Played Bangor in a gale yesterday missing top scorer and both centre backs and Greg Stones out too. I was in with a shout of playing at centre half... Second half, 0-0, wind behind them they should have won it. Michael Parker captained and deputised at centre half and hit the bar from his own half. Stayed 0-0

In 5 hours of football against Bangor since May, the only goal they've conceded was an OG in the Welsh Cup Final. Couldn't happen to a more obnoxious shower of cunts. Aside from the natural antipathy the world has for Nev Powell, their fans are frankly twats who shouldn't be allowed to shit up other towns.

Connah's Quay yesterday and GCQ had lost eight in a row. Town can't buy a win at the minute and have played no end of kids to cover suspensions, injuries and so forth (Michael Parker captained last week. He is fifth choice for the armband...)

And last week's gale was exceeded. The rain on Deeside was coming in sideways and place kicks were actually stopping in the air and on occasion blowing a fair way backwards.

GCQ scored in the first ten kicking with the wind and spent the next 80 minutes defending the fucking game. They had other chances but the entire second half they were playing 8-0-2 and in terms of possession, they had more of the ball because the keeper spent the entire half teeing up goal kicks. The second greatest player in terms of possession was the ballboy behind his goal who given the chance, Eden Hazard would still be kicking now. There were no stoppages in the second half but the ref played SIX minutes over. Seems he could work a watch but the yellow card that would have stopped the keeper was oddly absent.

If you'd been buying corners, you'd have felt the last quarter of an hour reminiscent of the couple of weeks when dodgy Chinese money discovered Bitcoin. One after another after another. A fucking risible penalty on the hour (falls over, striker shoots from 25 into a gale, ball would need to catch a bus to get to the kepper, hits prostrate defender in the arm on the edge of the box, penalty and a yellow   ) and then they camped even more down the other end. Two in the last ten and all the injury time to follow but couldn't get the deserved winner. They came off at the end feeling both hard done by and as if they'd been mugged. I fancied they'd get three and possibly four in the second half and of course, that would have been enough to win. GCQ meanwhile are in freefall. I've never seen a side so disinclined to try and put clear water between the sides but instead spend the evening staring at the clock hoping they don't concede.

Top 6 split is four games away and two of them against Rhyl who are in the same boat. Interesting holiday period and the last game before the split is Newtown at home, who are now managed by the much-loved Chris Hughes who stepped up from PTFC no. 2 when the job became vacant a few games back. Might need a favour...

As an aside, Bala drew at TNS. That's the first point they've dropped at home since November last year. Airbus could still make a fight of this - they go there on 18 Jan and that could either decide the title or blow it wide open for a straight dogfight. Airbus are the only side I've seen who completely dominated Prestatyn this season (the last twenty minutes at home) and it ain't over yet.

Just read Airbus/dogfight.

Completely unintended   

Fantastic stuff Bert....I felt like I was there!
Talking of Welsh football, I started a couple of weekend mug accas with TNS last night at 1/7 to beat Bala and the fucking cunts drew 1-1
  

The bottom 3 have perked up massively. Bala put 7 past GCQ last week and the two Port Talbot sides are stringing results together. I think GCQ were the last unbeaten side in the division at the start of the season (after 5 games) and now they're bottom two. Four spots in the top six are anything but decided and if Town take 8 points or more over the last 4 (Carmarthen are having a poor run, double header against Rhyl and Newtown at home) I think they'll be there.

Anyone can beat anyone in the WPL this season, Tone, they're all fairly well matched and conditions have been a leveller (I feel like I've Jonahed Prestatyn with a lot of weather this season...). Oddly enough, the only cert of the season so far has been TNS at home. Dumb fucking luck.

0-0 is becoming a regular thing at Bastion Gardens...

Rhyl game was a belter by all accounts, real toe-to-toe stuff. Gate was 814 (highest this season, third highest in the league, all of them Rhyl games) and Rhyl are claiming 650 travelled the Port Talbotesque journey of all four bus stops on the number 11 to Flint (y Fflint). The bullshitting cunts.

Reverse fixture New Year's Day. Looking forward to it, tidy chippy up the road, hope it's well stocked, possible first 4 figure WPL crowd and also with that highest of the season if the weather behaves.

S4C put the game on live, Wales was in the thrall of bad weather (Carmarthen can't play their home games at home at the minute because of the saturated ground and are farming themselves out as the 22 game split is almost here) and only two games made the cut. TNS on their plastic pitch was one and a heavy but playable Belle Vue was the other.

It was 40 years to the day since my league debut (Liverpool 1-1 Leicester, Cormack and Weller) and rather than go to Anfield, we went to Belle Vue. It's a cracking venue, tbh. Holds 3,000, all seater and sadly seemingly wasted on a very quiet Rhyl contingent who only fucking perk up if they score.

First half and Town were the better side, moving the ball around better and who have a pair of tidy full backs, tbh, who are excellent coming forward and solid at the back. Half drawing to an end, they fashioned a long range oportunity that Sean Hessey drove through a crowded box from somewhere near Pensarn and it went through the keeper (who, tbh, was having a decent game) who clearly saw it late. HT 1-0, deserved. I clocked Rhyl's first real proper worthwhile from-the-back build up, move and attempt. It was at 31 minutes.

They came out second half and it was a different game for a quarter of an hour. Rhyl first did a centre back who, getting back, pulled their man down in the box and they converted the penalty. They were sweeping the ball flank to flank and switching really well too and six minutes later, did just that and piled in a second. It took an hour but the Rhyl twats went nuts.

Then they spent half an hour trying to hang on. Fuck me, they should just start at 1-0 and let Prestatyn attack for half an hour, this season has been precisely like that. Unlike GCQ, they didn't shit their pants and waste time for half an hour but then I suppose to occupy the same position the ballboy twat at GCQ would have been hanging around in the open but empty Botanical gardens like an overly-dedicated paedophile who misses the halcyon days of summer. Lee Hunt hit the underside of the bar and a couple of other chances were there but it stayed 2-1. Better side for 80 minutes again, but that ten spell early second half did for them. That's the top 6 gone, twelve games left to (1) avoid relegation and (2) finish 7th and have a tilt at the European playoffs (which I thought wasn't open to them but I suppose there must be some reward for finishing top of the bottom). None of those left in the bottom six will relish going to Bastion Gardens but then three of them won't fancy it (expecting the two Port Talbot sides and one of Carmarthen or Aberystwyth) because it's the height of winter and they're at the other end of the fucking country.

I do love Belle Vue, though. Tidy, compact, right to the edge of the pitch and if I had one criticism other than the fucking godawful toilets when they segregate (gate was 823, TV and weather had their impacts) it's the tea bar is fair but not great (the canteen on the other side is better) and even then, my boy demolished his burger. And Rhyl's fans are shit at getting behind their team. The ground is built to get a roar, even in terms of the compared-to-an-English-capacity it has. They even have the support in numbers to do it. Why they don't is a mystery.

Excellent reporting Bert.
  

http://thegroundhog.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/welsh-premier-league-guide-2013-14/

Decent read, wouldn't mind Nantporth for one, Menai in the background is spectacular at the worst of times...

Fuck me, Rhyl imploded today and I may end up getting another tilt at Belle Vue this season yet. Sgorio were having that much trouble keeping up with the Bala goals that they gave them a fourth inside half an hour that hadn't apparently happened. They were going in like England batsmen were getting out last night.

Another loss, penalty and red card at Carmarthen today   They've lost 8 games by the odd goal this season, only Airbus and TNS have managed three past them (and in the last quarter) in the league and yet they haven't won a game outside of the town of Port Talbot (yes, Port Talbot) since August (yes, August). Everyone seems to defer to them when they play them but they keep getting fucking results off them.

It's beyond a fucking joke. They've shut Bangor out twice, had the better of Airbus for long periods home and away, beat the fucking league leaders and yet have only taken one point in two games off Connahs Quay who are looking increasingly doomed and whose four goals in the two games bring to mind Ian fucking Bell and his catching practice golden duck in the fourth test. The penalties this season given and not given have been at times fucking senseless and Dave Hayes, club skipper, is now on his third three-matcher for a straight red of the season, two of which were for swearing (yes, swearing, eat your heart out John Terry).

Fucking great team to watch, though

 

Never went Saturday, been ill all week and called it on Thursday. Obviously gutted as they gave someone the hatful of goals they've been threatening all season. Goals everywhere in the WPL as well, so Sgorio on Monday is a must. Set an alarm, 10.30pm S4C as a rule. You'll get to see the Spanish League in Welsh, too...

Welsh Cup quarters next week.

Big tie - TNS v Airbus

Romance tie - Holywell Town (3rd tier) v Porthmadog (2nd tier)

Where I think the winners might come from - Aberdare v Bala Town. Bala are putting results together and are for me the momentum team.

Remaining tie - Aberystwyth v Caersws

Might go the Holywell tie yet...

Couldn't go but the last four are Bala, Aberystwyth, TNS and Holywell.  Yes, the Wellmen are through and you don't get much more northerly in Wales. 2-1, winner in the 88th minute, amazing scenes

Holywell is the fifth largest town in Flintshire**.  Christ, that means the population doubles when a full bus goes through it.  No easy tie left in the last four but I hope they duck TNS.



**Connah's Quay, Buckley, Flint and Mold in that order.  I know you were all wondering.

Fucking immense game next week. Lost against Bala at home where they couldn't string two passes together; twatted at Aberystwyth last week; folded like a Barkby beach deckchair today live on S4C, the first points they've dropped in Port Talbot this season and it's GCQ next week at Bastion Gardens for a place in the bottom 2.

Yes, it's possibly a relegation decider. The table is terrifying reading for Seasider watchers.

http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/LeagueTable.ink

Four to play, 1 point in front of GCQ and GCQ have that game in hand (which, in all fairness, they should lose against Airbus - midweek this week and a vestige of the pre-split, top 6 v bottom 6 and Airbus have only the league to play for - they're already in Europe next year as second at worst - and are still right there). GD is in favour of Prestatyn and both sides have Afan Lido in the last four games (Lido are financially fucked, lost 5-0 today, lost 8-2 last week, Rhys Griffiths scored 7, two pens and 5 headers all from about four feet - Lido's keeper at the minute is their left back - and they had a fire sale before deadline to offset their problems, which is why Chris Hartland suddenly found himself a static caravan in Talacre).

I wanted to go to Bala on Good Friday but now I might have to go; I but fancied doing it without facing a potential hoofing to the minors. Big month ahead...

FWIW, in terms of relegation/promotion, the sides in place to come up have to have suitable grounds. The side from the Welsh League will qualify already, I believe (Taffs Well, Haverfordwest or Monmouth) which is Afan Lido fucked, but the most likely side from the Cymru Alliance is Cefn Druids.

And their ground is fit for the top flight. They only have to fall over the finish line (albeit with a clutch of away games against the top half). They will replace GCQ or PTFC is how it looks.

NotBert wrote:Four to play, 1 point in front of GCQ and GCQ have that game in hand (which, in all fairness, they should lose against Airbus - midweek this week and a vestige of the pre-split, top 6 v bottom 6 and Airbus have only the league to play for - they're already in Europe next year as second at worst - and are still right there).  

Airbus 1, GCQ 2   

Fuck.  2nd bottom, 2 points adrift of GCQ and facing them at Bastion Gardens on Saturday.  The loss would have given an all but clear shot at safety, Saturday.  The win means they have to beat GCQ and beat either Bala or Aber as well as Afan Lido IMO

1-1 against GCQ. Couldn't go and had to see the 90th minute equaliser    that saved a point on Twitter.

3 to play, Afan Lido (should guarantee three points, playing to fulfil fixtures only), Bala (will be going Good Friday, 20 miles from its nearest train station, no #OrdinaryToBala) and Aberystwyth at home with Aber ideally having nothing to play for and a possible Welsh Cup Final the week after (have Holywell to get past).

Finally, mathematically, TNS won the league today.

PTFC? 4-0 today, went and it looked better. Robbie Hughes, picked up from Rhyl, is looking threatening against everyone but for fuck's sake, son, have a pop at goal once in a while. No-one will think you're a cunt for it.

It was Afan, of course, and you might want to watch on Sgorio on Monday - their keeper looks about 12 and anything but a keeper (might be the youth team left back, I don't know. Same time, he made a fucking immense stop in the last 5 mins. Mind you, he also dropped a free kick on his own line that Lee Hunt bundled in and conceded a corner directly where he simply got muscled out of getting near it. Not ideal for Afan but at least they're still kicking [RIP Llanelli]).

Further positives - Parky's back! Heavily strapped knee but came on mid-second half, 10 seconds later he scored with his first touch.   He does well against Bala so his timing couldn't be better (Maes Tegid Friday, may take photos). Chris Davies warmed up without coming on as well, which would be doubly handy were he fit...

GCQ did for Port Talbot 2-0    Which means the Seasiders are still 2 adrift with 2 to play of GCQ who have Afan to play. Thing is, they're also now 2 adrift of Port Talbot as well. Goal Difference is in PTFC's favour with GCQ and would need a slide rule with Port Talbot (-5 PTT, -6 PTFC) as they have three to play and two are Aberystwyth, the last, Bala. They of course are both playing for 7th and a tilt at the Euro playoffs, Bala 3 behind with a game in hand...

Run in is
PTT - Aber (h) Good Friday, Aber (a) 22nd, Bala (h) 26th
GCQ - Bala (h) 15th, Afan (a) 26th
PTFC - Bala (a) Good Friday, Aber (h) 26th

In context, Bala would usually need to finish 7th for the playoffs. However, TNS (cup finalist) are in Europe already and Aberystwyth (cup finalist) would make Europe if they win the cup. Both scenarios pitch 8th place into the playoffs and so Bala are already there, as are Aber if they lose in the Cup Final. They of course have an immediate qualification if they win the cup, though (not sure they do if they are runners up).

In that context, they may take the pedal off the metal (doesn't appear to be the case after they turned over Aber the other night) but if they didn't, you'd have to think that Aber might turn up with the kids's team at Bastion Gardens the week before the Cup Final. And with Parky back against a side he does well (Bala) I have to cross fingers for six points.

Extra wrinkle: Three clubs have been refused an FAW Premier license for next season. GCQ, PTT and Afan. They have ten days to appeal (which is just about up) but if they stay as it is, none of them are in the WPL next season...

Just checked. As TNS are now confirmed champions, Aberystwyth do qualify for Europe automatically, win or lose in the Cup Final because TNS go to the Champions League.

Bala therefore need 3 points to guarantee 8th spot and the playoffs.

They got 1 tonight, 1-1 at GCQ.

PTFC can now win the last two and not give a shit about other results, they stay up for certain. To Maes Tegid Friday, apparently a beautiful place to watch footy

Before I get to the result, Maes Tegid is possibly the most beautiful setting I've ever seen for football.  Snowdonia one way, a stand of pine trees at the other end, the pitch was like a billiard table and I may put up pictures - a real gem, fell in love with it as soon as I walked through the door.

Twat of a place to find, though.  Consequently spent half an hour going to the rugby club among other places until getting a lead on where it was.  We missed the first 20 minutes.  By that time it was Bala 0, PTFC 2     Bala scored two snorters before half time but Robbie Hughes put another in between their going in and it was 2-3 at half time.  Bala rapped the bar with another screamer in the second half, then Parky did his knee again    Then in "the last 5" (you'll see) PTFC won a pen that Bala disputed.  Fucking bedlam and in it all, Gibbo, PTFC manager, was banished from the touchline.  Nick Pratt was the ref who now has the dubious distinction of sending him off three times this season - once as a player, once as a warming up player manager who hadn't come on yet and once as an unkitted manager.  He's only been on the fucking pitch once and been redded three times.

Hunty converted the pen and went nuts, as did the fans who moved behind the goal for it.  Its stayed 4-2 but with no discernible stoppage other than to let Parky leave the field, somehow a 3pm kick off went on until 5pm.

PTT drew with Aber so from 11th, PTFC are now ninth on goal difference...
http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/LeagueTable.ink
Three clubs on 35, Aber at home next week in the shadow of the Welsh Cup Final, a win guarantees survival unless GCQ put 25 past Afan and even then Port Talbot would also need to find 3 points from their two games.  Couldn't be tighter...

Bala deservedly guaranteed 8th when PTT didn't win. Would go there for a Euro playoff in May at a pinch if they get a game at home

Excellent stuff Bert.
  

Were I to have a bet on who finishes 2nd bottom, I think PTT are in big trouble.  Bala will go at them full tilt with a shot at 7th and goal difference is tight, I think Aber might field a weakened side at Prestatyn but they'll have a go tomorrow, last game at home and all.

Apparently 8th will not see Bala in the Europa League playoffs (they just remove the 6th v 7th game and go straight to semis).  GD is Aber 18, Bala 17. If Aber beat PTT, lose at Prestatyn and Bala beat PTT, it becomes a GD calculation as they both end up on 48pts.  I can see that happening and in particular Bala will throw the fucking lot at PTT if it does.

I have the feeling that PTT won't win another point (they also failed to knock over Afan the other week, drawing 0-0).  GD is in favour of Prestatyn at the minute.  GCQ shouldn't stay up, they've haemorrhaged goals all season but strung results together at both ends and have a free hit at Afan last game so could be entirely out of the equation despite being in the hole currently.  Depends on tomorrow's game.  

Prestatyn have the disadvantage of losing Parky shortly after getting him back (his industry and experience are fantastic) but on the other side of that coin, they have Chris Davies back.  They would stay up with a small loss if PTT lose both.

Bala put 6 past Afan tonight.  They do play some good stuff, their range shooting on Friday was pretty fierce.

Aber 6, PTT 1   

That really puts PTT in the shit. The GD cushion is five, which means PTFC can lose and watch Bala throw the fucking lot at PTT because they need the 3pts irrespective of what Aber do at Bastion Gardens.

Bala will be shouting for PTFC (they need a Town win to have any chance)
PTFC will be shouting for Bala (PTT losing means they could take a slapping off Aber and still stay up)

Both fucking GCQ and PTT have won their licence appeals so if they stay up, they stay up. A further wrinkle is only one Welsh League side - Haverfordwest - can come up as no other has been granted a licence. They're third but in the hunt still (I think they can go up as runners up as well as winners, not sure).