While the League of Wales 'Match of the Day' was taking place at Cwmbran Stadium, the rest of the LoW got off to a slightly more subdued start - almost as interesting for the matches which weren't taking place as those that were.
Our opponents' today, Conwy United, were the club without a match last Saturday, as the Ebbw Vale saga continued, with an arbitration date set for 9th September. For those of you who've not been reading the local press over the past two months - the Gwent side were expelled from the League of Wales at a recent meeting, for their 'objectionable conduct detrimental to the League's good name'. The vote went heavily against the Cowboys, but having installed Paul Sugrue as manager, the club are appealing to be reinstated to the National League. For the time being, though, the League of Wales is operating with only seventeen clubs, with the side fixtured to play Ebbw Vale being granted a 'free weekend'.
While the gates of the Morfa were locked, the match between Inter Cable-Tel and Carmarthen also did not take place. With an athletics meeting scheduled at the Cardiff Athletic Stadium, and refurbishment being completed at Carmarthen's Richmond Park, the decision was taken to reschedule the match for next Wednesday, to be played in Cardiff.
Thus, the League of Wales results on the opening day of the season look rather forlorn, with only seven of the nine games actually taking place.
With their alphabetical 'advantage', Aberystwyth have been at home on the first Saturday of the season every year so far, and this year was no exception, as they entertained the newly-promoted Afan Lido. The mid-Walians, who have signed former Barry player, Phil Johnson, made a good start to the season, defeating the Lido 2-1. It was former Cardiff City player, and Barry boy, Leigh Vick, who gave Aber the early advantage, scoring in the 28th minute after good approach play by Matthew Harrison. Before that, it was Jonathan Williams who went close for the Black and Greens. Williams, who has rejoined Aber from Newtown, played for the Robins in the UEFA Cup this year, and is certain to add some flair up front at Park Avenue.
Despite Vick's goal, the side from Baglan Bay quickly got back on level terms. Making few changes to the side which earnt them promotion, they held their own against Aber, with their equaliser coming in the 34th minute. Mitch Patton was brought down by Aberystwyth goalkeeper, Stuart Kinnmouth. Patton, Lido's top scorer in their previous years in the LoW, converted the penalty himself - his 57th LoW goal for the club.
However, Aberystwyth manager, Meirion Appleton, went home a happy man when Aber Chairman/central defender, Donald Kane scored from distance in the 78th minute to the delight of the crowd of more than 400 people.
The other promoted side, Holywell Town, formerly of the EEC Cymru Alliance, did well on their visit to Caernarfon Town, where they earnt a point against the Cofis. In fact, the Deeside club were the League's first goalscorers of the 1998-99 season, when Rob Jones netted in the 14th minute. The Caernarfon faithful were then stunned as Holywell added a further goal a minute later - that coming through Gareth Crofts. However, the Halkyn Road side, managed by Steff Rush, were unable to hang onto their two-goal lead until half-time, with Robbie Tynan scoring a lobbed goal to bring it back to 2-1. In a one-sided second-half, Caernarfon were the better side, but it wasn't until the 82nd minute that Paul Rowlands's side could be certain of a point. Their goal came from central defender, and newly-appointed captain, Emrys Williams, making it 2-2.
Never one of the more fashionable sides, Caersws have remained in the top flight of Welsh football for many years now, mainly thanks to their remarkable record of bringing players through the ranks of their youth sides, and through their ability to regular produce high-calibre performances against the LoW's more fancied sides.
Last Saturday, it was Bangor who bit the dust against the mid-Walian Bluebirds, as Caersws celebrated the beginning of the new season with a 2-0 victory over the Citizens. They took the lead on the 36th minute, after good work from Damon Russell and Rob Hamer allowed Craig Edwards to fire home past Lee Williams. Ten minutes into the second half, that became a two-goal cushion as Gareth Lewis crossed from the right for former Rhayader player, Hugh Clarke, to head past the City 'keeper.
Bangor will have had Europe on their minds last Saturday, and may also feel that there is a jinx held on them by the Bluebirds. However, featuring a new manager and an almost entirely new squad, mostly signed from the English non-league pyramid, the players will have to gel very quickly if the Citizens are genuine about either title or further European apirations.
Former Maesteg Park manager, Mike Ellery, has taken over the managerial role at Haverfordwest County. He replaces Mark Hopkins, who left at the end of last season, and also Eddie May, who, after accepting the job during the close-season, has gone to the aid of relegation threatened Finish side FinnPa.
The West-Walian side went ahead in their first LoW match of the season, although it was actually an own-goal from Total Network Solutions's Neil Marsh. That 32nd minute goal was almost enough to take the County into half-time with a lead, but they paid the penalty for relaxing five minutes before the interval. Former Conwy and Bangor player, Ken McKenna, swooped in the 41st minute to draw the Llansantffraid-based side level, while, only minutes later, TNS were awarded a penalty. That was converted by former Barry player, Steve O'Shaughnessy, who has also played for many North Wales clubs, most notably Rhyl, Holywell and Caernarfon Town.
TNS refused to give up their half-time lead, and increased it in the 64th minute, when Haverfordwest defender, Jamie Rickard, scored the second own goal of the game. That made it 3-1 to TNS, and Haverfordwest's misery was confirmed when left winger, Jonathan Jones was sent off.
Rhayader fielded more than half a side of new signings at the Weirglodd as they entertained Newtown, who were fresh after their UEFA Cup matches against Wisla Krakow. Now under the management of former Aberystwyth player, Mark Pound, Rhayader held their mid-Walian rivals for nearly an hour, before the Robins broke through to score.
The match was played in front of Rhayader's largest crowd since they took the step-up to National League level, but the locals weren't to go home happy. Another former Aberystwyth player was Newtown's hero, as Kevin Morrison scored from a 57th minute free-kick. Rhayader looked to have got themselves back in the game when Richard Jones scored for them, but that was disallowed. The points were settled with eight minutes to play, when Morrison netted from Justin Wickham's cross to make it 2-0 to Newtown.
At Belle Vue, Rhyl entertained their former tenants, Connah's Quay Nomads in a North Wales Coast derby match. Rhyl, boasting a number of former TNS players in their line-up this season, were quickly put on the defensive, following the 12th minute sending-off of goalkeeper Paul Smith. He was replaced in goal by Scott Millington.
Nevertheless, Rhyl took the lead in the match, with Jamie Webster finding the net in the 31st minute. However, Nomads, who finished 7th last season, got themselves back in the game in the second half. Their first goal came as Jon Kenworthy's long ball was flicked on by Jamie Hughes for Carl Smyth to score in the 59th minute. They took the three points in the final quarter of an hour, as Andrew Thomas's pass was steered home by substitute Neil Davies.
Therefore, despite three teams not playing at the weekend, Barry have started the new season as they finished the last - top of the table! Obviously, not too much should be read into the results of the first weekend, but it will be interesting to see which teams maintain their early-season promise, and which, for example, Carmarthen Town last year, will fall away after Christmas. With so much to play for this season, all sides in the league have considerably strengthened themselves, and no-one is currently looking like being obvious relegation candidates. Of course, though, we'll have to wait a good few weeks before putting any conclusions together. Let's look forward to an exciting League of Wales season.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town Matchday Magazine, v Conwy United, League of Wales, 29.08.1998
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