SEASON 2011/ 12

Fixtures/Results | Tables | Goal Scorers

MATCH REPORTS

Saturday 28th January - Borras Park Albion (A). W 0 - 2
The second meeting in as many weeks as we came up against a stubborn Borras side who were hard to break down. During the first 45 minutes we couldn't get into our rhythm and we produced some of the worst football all season. We went in at half-time 1 - nil thanks to a well taken goal by Pete Brown who broke the offside trap to loft the ball over the advancing keeper. Second half we kept possession better and created chances and when Brown went clear he smashed the ball into the keepers bottom left. We were unlucky not to extend our lead with numerous chances flashing wide of the Borras goal.

Saturday 21st January - Borras Park Albion (H). W 3 - 1
Penycae have moved into second spot after beating visitors Borras Park Albion 3-1. Although trailing 1 - 0 at the break with a Matty Williams goal the home side hit back through Tom Smith, Gareth Jones and Ian Mathias to secure the points.

Saturday 14th January - Llay Welfare (A) - League. W 1 - 5
The Welfare is never a easy place to go so when we opened the scoring on 5 minutes through Tom Smith it settled us down although Llay pinned us back in the opening 15 minutes. We started to take a foot hold in the game after 20 minutes and when we scored two in six minutes through Tom Smith (27) & Kev Edwards (33) we looked to be in control although we let Llay grab a lifeline on 39 minutes after a uncharacteristic mistake by our keeper. Second half we dealt with everything Llay threw at us and should have extended our early but it took until the 76 minute for Tom Smith to grab a hat-trick in consecutive weeks before Nathan Evans ran the whole length of the pitch and latched on to a Steven Brooke pass before coolly slotting the ball to the keepers right.  

Saturday 7th January - Airbus UK (H) - League. D 3 - 3
First game back after the festive break and against a strong Airbus side who like ourselves have ambitions to win the league. Airbus elected to kick with the wind in the first half and although they dominated possession they never really created a clear chance. We let them take advantage when a backpass was not dealt with and it rebounded of there striker after 22 minutes. Airbus extended there lead on 31 minutes when a 30 yard strike caught our keeper out and dipped under the bar. We were let off 5 minutes later when a 30 yard strike cannoned off the upright. Second half we came out and Tom Smith pulled a goal back on 48 and with the wind behind us we pinned Airbus back and Tom Smith drew us level on 56 minutes. We created chances through out the opening 25 minutes put could'nt get our noses in front. With the game going into injury time we had 4 consecutive corners going close through first Ritchie Pierce and then through Gareth Jones. On the fourth corner airbus broke free and scored what looked the winner on 90+4, although there was a touch of offside. The game looked over but the referee somewhere found another 4 minutes and that allowed Tom Smith to grab a leveler on 90+7 minutes.  

Saturday 10th December - Gresford Athletic (H) - League. W 3 - 0
After a week off the re-charge we needed to get back to winning ways against a young Gresford side at the foot of the table. We started on the front foot and created a host of openings going agonisingly close on numerous occasions with Jordan Smith, Tom Smith & Pete Brown all going close. It took until the 42 minute to break the dead lock with Tom Smith bagging his 20 league goal to date. Second half and we started strong and when Tom Smith layed the ball out wide to Jordan Smith he delivered a pin-point cross for the advancing Pete Brown to head home. We continued to create chances and rattled the Gresford bar on more than one occasion, with the defence remaining solid it was one-way traffic and up popped Kev Edwards on 85 minutes to cement the win. A good solid team performance with some outstanding individual performances.

Saturday 26th November - Cefn Druids (H) - League. D 3 - 3
This game seen us come up against many of the Penycae U16's Cup wining side from last season and along with our own youngsters in Che Daniels & Les Morris have taken senior football in there stride. The game was played in difficult conditions for both sides and Druids used the wind to there advantage pinning us into our own half and took a 12 minute lead through Ian Hughes. Druids had the majority of chances in the opening 30 minutes but we came back into the game and created chances with Aled Williams hitting the post and Kev Edwards agonisingly close to getting on a Tom Smith cross. We did draw level when the ball fell to Steven Brooke in a crowded box on 38 minutes he rolled the ball past two defenders before poking the ball home. Second half was a case of keeping druids pinned back and we started strong and took the lead on 55 minutes when captain Sean Pemberton executed a perfect overhead kick into the roof of the net. As has happened all to often we failed to close the game down and allowed Druids to get a equilizer on 62 minutes after some good counter-attacking football. We created a host of chances after that and were foiled by Jamie Bartlett in the Druids goal on numerous occasions. We took the lead again on 83 minutes when Steven Brooke's shot rebound off the post to hit him again and deflect in. We then allowed Druids a leveller on 87 minutes by some slack defending. These were 3 points we needed today and may well have seen our title ambitions severely dented. 

Saturday 19th November - Chirk AAA (A) - League. L 3 - 2
The top two clashed with Penycae needing the points as Chirk AAA have games in hand. Neither team played any flowing football and it turned into more of a battle than a passing game. Chirk AAA started off the strongest and maybe should have taken there chances as we took the lead on 17 minutes as Tom Smith raced clear to slot home. Two minutes later Smith extended our league in much the same fashion. We had chances to extend our lead but could'nt find the net. Chirk AAA were gifted a life line on 30 minutes when some poor defensive play allowed them to pull one back before half time. Second half was a case of staying compact and when the ball was lobbed back in to the our box aimlessly on 55 minutes only for it to be fumbled into our own net. Neither team created many chances then until 75 minutes when Chirk AAA long ball tactics payed off and a mix up in our back line allowed there striker to lob into a empty net. The last ten minutes we pushed for a leveler and where turned down our appeals for a penalty when Leighton Edwards pulled down Ian Mathias only for the referee to judge it being outside the box. A disappointing result as we threw away a two goal lead.
    
Saturday 12th November - Bala Town (H) - League Cup Premilary round. W 5 - 0
Unusual fixture with having to qualify for the League Cup but never the less a game between two teams who have ambitions of winning league & Cup. Bala started very much like the league encounter and dominated the first 10 minutes, although without creating any clear chances. We had chances of our own and hit the post from a corner and Tom Smith rattled the Bala bar from 30 yards but it was Pete Brown who broke the deadlock when on 13 minutes when he raced clear to slot it in the keeper's bottom right corner. Bala continued to dominate possession although on the 25 minute mark we did get a foot hold in the game and extended our lead on 36 minutes through Tom Smith. A own goal on 39 minutes allowed us to take a 3 - 0 into half time. Second half was about frustrating Bala and we were soild as a defensive unit only allowing Bala to play in there half. We managed to extend our lead on 82 minutes when a Tom Smith cross was sliced into the Bala net by a Bala defender. The game was finished off on 90 + 2 minutes when Smith crossed for Kev Edwards to finish with a glancing header. A fine team performance all round and shows the strength of our squad this season.

Saturday 5th November - Hawarden Rgs (H) - League. W 6 - 0
With our rivals having a free week a victory would have put us top so no less then 3 points was required. We dominated possession through out the whole game but never created any clear chances in the first half, although our possession football was excellent, we went in at half time one goal to the good after a Steven Brookes shot was helped in by a Hawarden defender on 18 minutes. Second half was a different story and we created chance after chance as we opened Hawarden up on numerous occasions without finding the net. The introduction of Tom Smith on 60 minutes aided the goals as he scored his first on 64 and then added on 67 after a excellent diagonal ball from his younger brother Jordan. Kev Edwards got on the score sheet after 74 minutes following up a shot that the keeper spilt before chipping the ball over the keeper. With Hawarden now pinned back in there half as we controlled the midfield Gareth Jones got on the score sheet as he headed in from a Jordan Smith corner on 80 minutes before the goal of the game on 90 minutes as Jordan Smith crossed wide of the far post and Shaun Pemberton shouldered it back across to the advancing Tom Smith to smash home from 10 yards to wrap up his hat-trick and his 17 of the season. 

Saturday 29th October - Airbus UK (A) - League. W 1 - 3
With the points dropped last week this was a game we had to win to keep pace with the leading pack. We started strongest and went close to opening the scoring when Steven Brooke hit the post on 4 minutes from 8 yards out. We dominated possession for the opening 15 minutes. The game then settled into a battle for possession with both defences well organised and preventing either team producing any clear chances. With the first half looking like ending 0 - 0 when on 45 minutes we won a corner and Jordan Smith delivered for Ritchie Pierce to glance his header into the top right hand corner. We started the second half as we started the first and when Jordan Smith won back possession from a Airbus defender and was up ended in the box on 50 minutes up stepped Mikey Latham to give the keeper no chance from 12 yards. With Latham running the Airbus defence ragged all day it was'nt long before we were 3 goals to the good as Latham cut in from the left and drilled a low shot across goal which the Airbus defender could only help into the net on 55 minutes. Airbus had half chances to get a goal back but our midfield three never let them build any momentum. Airbus did draw one back on 75 minutes when the ball fell to one of there substitutions 25 yards out and he executed a perfect volley into the back of the net leaving the keeper no chance.  

Saturday 22nd October - Lex XI (H) - League. D 3 - 3
This was a must win game with a view of going to Airbus next week right down there necks. The way we started the game we looked solid and in control and when Tom Smith got his customary goal to open the scoring on 9 minutes we looked to extend our lead. We created chances through the first half but sloppy finishing kept the score at 1 - 0 until 40 minutes when Lex X1 equalized. We took the lead again 2 minutes later when Jordan Smith went clear to slot the ball home. Second half we started strong and on 48 minutes we extended our lead when Pete Brown scored on 48 minutes. We should have closed the game down but again poor finishing gave Lex XI heart and they got a goal back on 67 minutes to make it 3 - 2. We then lost all shape and gave away possession in midfield to often and allowed Lex to take control of the game and it was no surprise when the drew level on 83 minutes. The only team who looked like winning this game was Lex although we almost nicked it when Gareth Jones went close in the last minute from a header. A disappointing result and two points dropped. 

Saturday 15th October - Coedpoeth United (A) - League. W 1 - 9
This game produced some of the best attacking football we have played this season, as well as some contenders for goals of the season. We started the stronger team but struggled to create a clear opening before Kev Edwards opened the scoring on 15 minutes, before adding a bullet header to his tally on 19 minutes. Some excellent interlinking play down the right between Che Daniels & Pete Brown allowed Edwards to seal his hat-trick on 31 minutes. We were dominating possession and when we were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out Jack Johnson stepped up to drill a brilliant strike into to top left corner. Edwards then grabbed his forth on 43 to take his tally to ten and eight in his last four appearances. Second half was about maintaining the momentum of the first but it took until the 43 minute to grab the first goal of the half after Les Morris was up ended in the box with Jordan Smith slotting the penalty into the bottom corner. The game went flat and we conceded a O.G on 78 minutes due to a lack of communication between keeper & defence. We extended our lead on 79 minutes when Aled Williams cut in from the left and smashed the ball into the keepers top corner from 30 yards. Coedpoeth's luck did'nt improve as they conceded a O.G on 84 minutes. A corner in the last minute produced the last goal of the game as Ritchie Pierce dispatched a over head kick into the net from 8 yards.  

Saturday 8th October - Gresford Athletic (A) - League. W 1 - 6
After the disappointment of the last two weeks no less than 3 points was needed here against a Gresford team struggling at the foot of the table. We started off in a determined manner but looked frustrated from the kick - off and allowed Gresford to sneak a lead on 4 minutes. During the half we created chances but were frustrated by bad luck, when a Kev Edwards equalizer was adjudged to have been off side, it looked as though we would'nt draw level as we seem to have no urgency in our football. A few choice words at half-time and we looked a different team playing our game of swift accurate football which left Gresford in tatters as we ran 6 goals in in 33 minutes, the first coming with Nick Jones opening his account as he hooked the ball home. We then took the lead when young Ryan Jones tied the full back in knots and delivered a excellent first time cross that the defender could only steer into his own net. 4 minutes later we extended our lead when Tom Smith drew a good save from the Gresford keeper but he could only parry the ball into Steven Brookes path. Tom Smith then got his usual goals on 67 & 78, the second being a excellent curling shot with his left foot into the top corner from 20 yards. Rounding up the scoring was Pete Brown who opened his account on 87 minutes with a thunderous drive that gave the keeper no chance. A good second half performance, a bit more ruthless in front of goal and we could have had more goals but we came for 3 points and bagged them.    

Saturday 1st October - Corwen (A) - League. D 3 - 3
After the disappointment of last weeks result and performance we were looking to bounce back with 3 points away to a Corwen side who lye one place below us. We started the game well but on 4 minutes a we conceded a O.G when a back pass took a bobble as we looked to play it back to Chris Checkley, making his debut, and went straight over his head leaving him stranded. We looked to bounce back but on 7 minutes conceded another soft goal when we lost possession in a 2 v 2 defensive area to allow Corwen a rather lucky two goal lead. We bounced straight back on 8 minutes with Kev Edwards grabbing his third goal in 2 games. We looked the better team and with Corwen reduced to long ball tactics we started to create half chances before we fell asleep on 25 minutes to allow Corwens left winger a free run into the box to smash home. Half time 3 - 1. We came out the second half and dominated and were frustrated by Corwens defence. Every chance seemed to go wide by inches every through pass flicked off one of the Corwen defenders heels. We created chance after chance and when Tom Smith raced clear to smash his 11 goal of the season in there only looked one team who was going to go on to win. In the 73 minute we allowed Corwen a great chance which brought a superb reaction save from Checkley to deny them from 15 yards. We created chance after chance and on 85 minutes Kev Edwards smashed home the equalizer. Unfortunately we could'nt grab the winner we deserved. This was a case of 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained and hopefully the lads will be looking to get back to winning ways at Gresford next saturday
  
Saturday 24th September - Ruthin Town (A) - League. D 3 - 3
Although Ruthin are yet to win in this season they have only lost 2 and drew the rest so we expected a difficult game. Unfortunately we struggled to find our feet through out the game and hadn't created a chance of real note when we allowed Ruthin to take a deserved lead from a corner after 22 minutes. Ruthin stopped us playing and when Kev Edwards bundled over from 5 yards on 31 minutes it was our first notable chance. Within 3 minutes of the re-start we allowed the Ruthin right back to carry the ball 30 yards before he laid it to there striker who had time to curl the ball into the corner. Second half we started to play more football and created some good openings but it took until the 62 minute when Kev Edwards drew us level with a fine finish. After that we looked as though we would go on to win it when Sean Pemberton netted with 10 minutes remaining before we lost our concentration to allow Ruthin a late equalizer. 
      
Saturday 17th September - Bala Town (H) - League. W 4 - 0
This was a game against a team who, like ourselves, have ambitions of winning the league this season. Bala started the strongest and within the first 20 minutes created a host of chances which called Tony Gandy in goal into action. When we were awarded a free kick against the run of play just inside the Bala half Steven Wyn Jones lobbed the ball forward for our captain Shaun Pemberton to volley, on the turn, into the bottom corner on the half hour. We then started to settle into our game. We came out the second half and when the ball came to Tom Smith's chest 35 yards from goal on 46 minutes he does what he does best and unleashed a volley straight into the bottom corner. We then took the game to Bala and were the stronger team. The third goal was a bit cruel on Bala but when Nathan Evans swung in a corner which they failed to clear and it went straight into the Bala goal. We then took the game to the visitors and when Kev Edwards picked the ball up 30 yards out and played a perfectly weighted pass into Ian Bowyer-Jones's path before making up the ground to get onto a perfectly weighted cross from Bowyer-Jones.    

Saturday 10th September - Castell AC (A) - League.  W 1 - 4
A game that was as much about battling the weather as it was battling the opposition. We played good football from the start with patient passing along the floor and it wasnt a surprise when Shaun Barlow raced clear to lob the ball over the keeper on 12 minutes to break the dead lock. Although we did have chances to extend the lead it took a header from Tom Smith on 22 minutes to extend our lead. On 38 minutes a freak goal for Castell AC when a clearance by the Castell defender picked up pace with the wind a went over our Keeper to give them a life line. Second half we struggled for fluency in our football and although Castell rarely threatened our goal we did have the cutting edge to get through them until 77 minutes when Ryan Jones slotted through the keepers legs for his first of the season. Ten minutes later on 87 minutes the game was buried as Les 'Strachan' Morris produced a mazy run in the Castell box before slotting it home to open his account for the season. 

Saturday 3rd September - Llay Welfare (H) - League. W 6 - 0
A nightmare weekend for both teams with regard to lads availability, even Gav Bowen & Stan had to come out of retirement. We managed to scrape eleven players together with 3 points needed we played some of our best football this season. With the defence preventing llay from having any clear chances on goal it allowed the strikers to add to our tally with Tom Smith & Steven Brooke, opening his account for the season, adding a brace each, Ian Bowyer-Jones & Ritchie Pierce grabbing there first goals of the season. Hopefully a settled week and we can go to Castell AC next week with a full squad and add to our points tally to keep us up within the leading pack.. 

Saturday 27th August - Venture (A) - League. D 1 - 1
This was always going to be a tough game as Venture have made a good start to the new season. From the off we looked threatening but Venture dealt everything we had so it was a relieve when Sean Reid followed up a 20 yard volley from Danny Wildman, which the keeper could'nt hold, to grab his third for the season on 12 minutes. After that we took created chances to extend our lead but couldnt hit the target and only two excellent saves from our Richard Cowederoy in goal and a goal line clearance for Ritchie Pierce kept the score at 1 - 0 at the interval, The second half we were hampered by picking up injuries with Jack Johnson, Danny Wildman both having to be subsituted. Venture started to get a hold on the game and looked more menacing but were prevented by our defence from having a clear chance, when Ritchie Pierce came off injured we had to finish the last 20 minutes with 10 men after using all our substitutes. This caused Venture to raise there game, and although we hit the post through Steven Brooke, they got there equalizer on 77 minutes. After that we held firm to gain a deserved point.  

Wednesday 24th August - Overton (H) - League. W 3 - 0
After the heavy defeat on the weekend it was important we replied by getting 3 points and putting in a good performance. Although Penycae won by 3 goals courtesy of Tom Smith (2) & Kev Edwards. Overton will count themselves lucky as Penycae squandered a host of chances.

Saturday 20th August - Chirk AAA (H) - League. L 0 - 6
In the derby encounter at Penycae, they were turned over 6 - 0 by a rampant Chirk AAA’s who netted through Matty Thompson(2), Shaun Morris, Jay James, Dan Currie and a penalty from skipper Jamie Foulkes. Penycae were reduced to 10 men and brought back to earth by a fitter Chirk side.

Wednesday 17th August - Rhos Aelwyd (A) - League. W 1 - 2
This was always going to be a exciting game and was just that as teams wrestled for early possession. We started to get into our stride after 10 minutes and went close on a few occasions before Tom Smith raced clear on 20 minutes to find the bottom corner of the Rhos net. After that Rhos had the majority of possession without creating to many chances as our defence and midfield held strong to keep the scoreline 1 nil at the interval. Second half we started to dictate play again and when Dave Powell dispatched a 25 yard shot into the back of the Rhos net we looked to be comfortable. Unfortunately Rhos were given a life line when we failed to clear a corner and allowed Rhos to get one back. In the next 10 minutes we had chances to win it with Shaun Barlow forcing Ian Ankers, in goal for Rhos, into a excellent save and Steven Brooke hitting the post. The last 5 minutes Rhos had chances when a excellently taken free-kick rebounded off the post and a free kick in the last seconds whistled over everyones head. Another 3 points on the board and even sweeter ones than last week!  

Saturday 13th August - Hawarden Rangers (A) - League. W 1 - 5 
The first game of what is sure to be a competitive league. We started the game well and when Tom Smith ran through to coolly slot home after 4 minutes we looked to have settled, but only poor finishing from Hawarden preventing them from taking the lead. On the 20 minute mark we began to dictate play and when Smith ran through on 30 minutes to bag his second we were in control and should have bagged a few more before Smith grabbed his hat-trick on 41 minutes to give us a commanding 3 - 0 half-time lead. Second half started as we finished the first before we took our foot off and a gas and allowed Hawarden to get back into the game and dominate the last 30 minutes, a quick break allowed Hawarden to get a goal back on 73 minutes. The last 5 minutes belonged to Penycae as Sean Reid extended our lead on 86 & 89, the first of came on the end of some excellent football which resulted in Steven Brooke chip the ball for Reid to take on his chest before lobbing the Hawarden keeper from 12 yards.