MATCH REPORT – Caerau Ely FC v Llantwit Major, by GARETH ROWE
Novira Cymru South – Matchday 12
Man of the Match – James Williams
Attendance – 174
First Half
On a bitterly cold and wet Friday evening under the lights, Caerau Ely looked to stretch their incredible run of from which could have seen them top the league at the end of the game. Five changes for the Young Guns from last Friday’s dominant cup win against Llanelli. Irving in goal, Fowler back in defence, Turner and Harding in midfield and Liam Bishop in attack returning the starting eleven for Caerau Ely. The visitors came into the game on the back of a poor start to the season which saw them around the relegation zone on nine points at this early stage. A win for either team was so important here, so both teams started quickly with high intensity.
As the rain poured, Caerau Ely started the better of either team, with them adopting a high press and looking to build up quickly in the first phase of attack. The hosts would then slow the play down to look for a potentially rewarding chance, looking to play crosses into the box at the Llantwit defence. The first chance came from a Caerau Ely corner. George Sheppard whipped the ball towards the front post, this pin point cross was headed on target by Tim Parker who has always been a threat from set pieces. His header was directed with conviction towards goal, but saved well by the Llantwit goalkeeper. With both teams fighting for an important game the visitors manager was very vocal on the touchline throughout the game, but especially at the start of the game. As the first half went on, Caerau Ely looked on top and as though they were going to take the lead. But Llantwit were not going to let the game go too easily. Their tactical style changed as they started pressing aggressively, the high Caerau Ely line, and put the hosts under a lot of pressure. With the pressure from the visitors, the Young Guns were still creating opportunities. A misplaced pass from a Llantwit midfielder gave the ball to Liam Bishop, who has been a star so far this season for Caerau Ely. Liam saw the goalkeeper off his line and tried and audacious chip over the goalkeeper from the halfway line. His technique was exquisite but the strong wind carried the ball wide and over the bar.
The chances kept on coming but not for the hosts, as Llantwit seemed to gain control of the game with their effective high press. The ball was played from the centre of the pitch out wide to the left winger. He swung the ball into the back post where Cullen Kinsella was there to tap the ball into the back of the Caerau Ely net, to put the visitors a goal to the good. This goal changed the course of the first half as Llantwit were now on top and controlling the game. Llantwit’s next opportunity came down the left again, a similar chance. The ball was again hoisted into the back post but the shot this time was a bit further out and was placed just wide of the right post. Before the half ended though, there was one more chance for the Young Guns who were chasing the game. Whilst Llantwit built up from the back, the visitors goalkeeper passed the ball out to the right back. He misplaced a pass which was intercepted by Tim Parker and passed across goal towards Liam Bishop, who was there waiting for the ball to finish to finish the chance. As the pass was made, the power of the ball was too much to control and went past Liam and was cleared. This would be the final chance of the half.
Second Half
The second half started with Caerau Ely chasing the game. They had to change how they would approach this half so they could look for a way back into the game. They did exactly that at the start of the second half, with an attack down the right hand side. As the downpour continued Caerau Ely found a foothold in the game and began to dominate attacks and possession. The first big chance for the Young Guns came a few minutes into the second half as Liam Bishop burst down the right hand side towards the box. He controlled the ball well and spun a defender and laid the ball off to Tim Parker once again who had smashed his shot towards to top left corner. The Llantwit goalkeeper made a fingertip save to keep the ball out, and prevent a certain equaliser for Caerau Ely. As the second half developed, both teams became more aggressive, trying to either keep their lead or hunt for an equaliser. This became clear when George Sheppard was fouled on the edge of the box as he had already passed the ball out to the other flank. The referee did not see the foul and had to consult his assistant for the resulting yellow card given to the Llantwit defender.
As the minutes ticked down, and the Young Guns became more desperate, the fullbacks became more like attacking wingers as the wingers moved inside more to cover the space and become passing options. The next chance could have changed the course of the game completely. As George Sheppard counter attacked from a misplaced pass from the visitors midfielder, he made it past numerous defenders and into the box. A late tackle from the visitors right central defender left George on the ground and hurt, but the referee did not give a foul, which looked clear to the players, fans and Caerau Ely coaching staff. Both teams were now making changes with around fifteen minutes of the game left. With Llantwit looking to hold onto the lead, they decided to change their attacking style, opting for more of a long ball approach, still creating chances but minimising the risk of being counter attacked. With minutes to go, one of these long balls was hoisted out wide to the left and played into the box, where Thomas Stokes was there to finish the game and extend the lead for Llantwit. Both teams knew the fate of the game was sealed, and the game ended with a poor result for Caerau Ely, but the season ahead will be long, with plenty of time to rack up more points, and climb to the top of the league.
Full Time – Caerau Ely 0 -2 Llantwit Major
