Sat Dec 15th 2007
Glantraeth 4 Ruthin Town 2
In Ruthins 11th away league game out of 16 this season saw Ruthin fail to turn up for the first half hour of this game slack marking in midfield and some poor defending allowed Glantraeth to cruise to 4 nil on half an hour. Ruthin fought back determinedly in the second half with a brace of goals and a good third disallowed. The one element of good news is that Tryfan Prosser had a 20 minute run out and performed well.
Ruthin need to ensure they are on their toes from the first minute, some of the players need to realise the January window is looming fast.
Another quick catch up on Ruthins current non availability.
Things continue to improve!!!.
Eddy Jones back soon.
Dafydd Jones injured long term.
Tom Wilcox Jones injured 2/3 weeks
Gaz Martin injured 3 weeks
Martin Plant injured ? weeks(set back last week)
Garmon Hafal back soon
Sam Griffiths injured 3 weeks
Tryfan Prosser back soon
Sat Dec 1st 2007
Holyhead 1 Ruthin Town 0
Ruthin were again involved in a tight encounter with one of the leagues top sides, if you asked anybody were you wouldn't like to play with gales forecast Holyhead would be high up the list.
Throughout the afternoon what felt like a force 9 gale howled from one end to the other.
Ruthin lost the toss and played with the wind in the first half it was very difficult for both sides and it was pretty even throughout Holyhead and Ruthin both tried to keep the ball on the ground and played some entertaining football when the ball could be kept on the pitch. Ruthin tried a number of pot shots from 30 yards plus from Liam Jones, Gary Ellison and Dave Holloway that the Holyhead keeper probably used to these conditions dealt with competently.
Curt Williams occassionally looked dangerous but the Ruthin back 4 performed well.
At half time Ruthin were asked to continue playing the ball on the ground and try and push forward into the gale. Within 2 minutes of the second half Holyhead scored the crucial first goal Mike Edwards inswinging corner assisted by the elements went directly in. Ruthin knuckled down well and tried to play football chances for both sides were scarce the main danger from Holyhead been a series of excellent corners from Mike Edwards that Llyr Williams did well to deal with.
With 17 minutes to go Ruthin introduced Si Holloway for Matthew Davies with Will Roberts moving into midfield this rejuvenated Ruthin and they began to push Holyhead back with some excellent football. Liam Jones fired wide from a free kick from just outside the box, and Sam Cartwright put in a great cross for the Holyhead keeper to just foil Gary Ellison.
Again it was a case of a gallant defeat for Ruthin against good opposition if they continue to play like this the breaks will eventually come.
Match ball sponsors - Cennin Computers.
Ruthin squad - Llyr Williams, Will Roberts, Aled Roberts, Rob Render, Garmon Rhys, Mark Entwhistle, Liam Jones, Sam Cartwright, Matthew Davies, Gary Ellison, Dave Holloway, Si Holloway, Mike Sharples, Rob Lewis, Dewi Jones, Martin Dyer.
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Just a quick catch up on Ruthins current non availability.
Things are improving.
Jez Porter suspended 2 matches
Eddy Jones out 2 weeks.
Dafydd Jones injured long term.
John Jones injured 3 weeks
Tom Wilcox Jones injured 4 weeks
Gaz Martin injured 5 weeks
Martin Plant injured 2 weeks
Garmon Hafal injured ?????
Sam Griffiths injured 4 weeks
Tryfan Prosser injured 2 weeks
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Sat Nov 24h 2007
Ruthin Town 2 Llandudno 2
In a terrific tussle Ruthin eventually prized a point from in form Llandudno. Ruthin squad featuring 7 of their current U19s squad more than matched their opponents. A tight but entertaining first half with a high degree of midfield action Rooney in the Llandudno goal was the busier of the goalkeepers making notable saves from Gary Ellison and Garmon Hafal. Llandudno were first to break the deadlock with a 34th minutes goal from Jody Hamilton the goal stemmed from a strong run by the Llandudno right back who ran 30 yards past a number of weak challenges by Ruthin players, the ball was crossed to the far post where Hamilton rose to nod home. Just before half time Garmon Hafal limped off with a knee injury hopefully following recent knee problems this was purely down to being injured in a tackle. He was replaced by Sam Cartwright.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Ellison again prominent but the real danger was coming from Sam Cartwirght the 16 year old showed great pace, touch and a real willingness to track back. Ruthin substituted Garmon Rhys for Matthew Davies on 55 minutes Davies going wide right and Sam Cartwright moving over to wide left. In fact it was this partnership that got Ruthin back into the game a tremendous cross from the right by Davies evaded all the Llandudno defence and Sam Cartwright slid the ball into the empty net.
On 75 minutes Llandudno scored through Joe Morgan following a goal mouth scramble after a corner, again Ruthin have to be disappointed with their defending. On 80 minutes Rob Lewis came on to replace the injured John Jones. Ruthin kept plugging away with Rooney again the busier of the keepers, with a few minutes to go Will Roberts was pushed up front with Aled Roberts moving from the back four into midfield.
With 96 minutes on the clock it seemed all but over Gary Ellison had possession on the wide right he put in a left footed cross that Dave Holloway and Will Roberts went to meet but everybody including the excellent Rooney missed the ball which went straight in, queue wild celebrations from Ruthin.
It was a well deserved point from a never say die Ruthin side.
Match ball sponsors - Tillwise, Ruthin.
Ruthin squad - Llyr Williams, Mike Sharples, Aled Roberts, Rob Render, John Jones, Garmon Hafal, Mark Entwhistle, Will Roberts, Garmon Rhys, Gary Ellison, Dave Holloway, Sam Cartwright, Matthew Davies, Rob Lewis.
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Buzz's version of the match report from U19s on Sunday 18th Nov.
NEWFA Cup U19s Rnd 1
Ruthin 11 Llangollen 0
On a cold afternoon when Gary Davies(a poor substitute linesman following Choppers poor linesamanship in the first half) assured us it was snowing at home. Ruthin demolished a brave Llangollen 11. It was all one way traffic and it could have been 25 nil as a precaution Will Roberts, Sam Cartwright were substituted after 50 mins Gary Ellison stayed on until he achieved his unconventional hatrick 2 goals and a booking! Highlights were two well struck goals from 30 yards from Rob Lewis and Will Roberts and a Mike Sharples goal after 23 attempts. The Ruthin squad is in good form at this time but they need to guard against complacency as tougher challenges are ahead.
Well done to Mel, Wynne and the squad.
Just a quick catch up on Ruthins current non availability including suspensions !!!
Jez Porter suspended 3 matches
Dafydd Jones injured long term.
Rob Render Injured couple of weeks
Tom Wilcox Jones injured 3 weeks
Gaz Martin injured 3 months
Si Holloway suspended 2 matches
Martin Plant injured 3 weeks
Liam Jones suspended 1 match
Garmon Hafal injured not sure how long!
Sam Griffiths injured 4 weeks
Dave Holloway suspended 1 match
Tryfan Prosser injured 3 weeks
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Tues Nov 13th 2007
Flint 5 Ruthin Town 1
An undeserved scoreline for Flint, Ruthin continue to work hard but the gods do seem against them at this time. First half was an even affair with Flint playing attractive football and ruthin breaking dangerously, Flint broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with a well worked goal from a left side cross knocked in at the far post just getting past Jez Porter. At half time a number of changes were made to an already depleted squad. Sam Griffiths was moved up front having suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury and Mike Sharples came on for the injured Garmon Hafal, within 5 minutes of the restart Gaz Martin went over on his right ankle Sam Cartwirght coming on for him. On 55 mins Mark Entwhistle put in a good tackle on the edge of the Ruthin box the referee decided a strong challenge is a free kick and also booked Mark. Porter left a huge gap for Flint to score in the right hand corner and he proceeded to swear at the referee he received a red card. Sam Griffiths took over in goal at 2 nil Ruthin took the game to Flint with the impressive Gary Ellison hitting the bar and a Flint midfielder scoring a bizarre own goal from 35 yards by chipping their keeper. Sam Griffiths had relatively little to do for 20 mins as Ruthin kept batttling and breaking dangerously, but into the last 10 mins Ruthin understandably tired and Flint scored 3 goals basically from pot shots at goal. Dewi Jones was given a runout in the last 15 minutes.
The silver lining in this current cloud for Ruthin were the performances of 3 16 year olds Garmon Rhys, Sam Cartwright, and Dewi Jones whilst the present looks difficult the future looks better.
Ruthin are obviously adding to their current injury woes by being stupidly sent off for abusing the referees the management are on the case !
Match ball sponsors - Davies Brothers builders - Llandyrnog.
Ruthin squad - Jez Porter, Will Roberts, Aled Roberts, Eddy Jones, Garmon Rhys, Mark Entwhistle, Matthew Davies, Gaz Martin, Garmon Hafal, Sam Griffiths, Gary Ellison, Mike Sharples, Dewi Jones, Sam Cartwright.
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Sat Nov 10th 2007
Mynydd Isa 1 Ruthin Town 0
A depleted Ruthin squad put up a spirited performance only to lose out to a poor decision by a linesman and a goal in the last 5 minutes at a windy Mynydd Isa. The treatment table at Ruthin is currently busier than the training ground with no less than 9 1st team squad members injured it is very frustrating but the encouraging fact is that whilst not getting great results Ruthin continue to compete at this level and can't wait for the return to fitness of some of the injury list.
Playing with the wind in the first half Ruthin were slow to start MI probed but rarely tested Jez Porter. As they warmed to the task Ruthin began to string passes together with the competitive Gaz Martin prominent, the bigger MI side played a more direct route one game. On 35 minutes a MI midfielder was sent off for trying to cut Gaz Martin in half with a 'tasty' challenge.
The ten men of MI held out to half time, with the strengthening wind into their faces in the second half Ruthin struggled to get the ball up to the forwards and MI again rarely threatened to score. On 65 mintues a great cross from SI Holloway, on for the tiring Gaz Martin, was headed across goal by Dave Holloway for Gary Ellison to head in or so they thought the MI keeper clearly behind the line scooped the ball out and the linesman in a perfect position made no move or decision. The MI goalkeeper was happy to report after the match that the ball was at least 2 feet over the line!
Ruthin continued to probe but the game was petering out as with 5 minutes to go the same linesman incorrectly gave a throw to MI near Ruthins box the ball was knocked on from the throw and MI gratefully scored from a 6 yard header.
With 3 minutes to go Dave Holloway was held by the throat and the MI midfielder was sent off the referee booked Dave presumably for attacking the opponents fist with his throat but later realised he had already booked him therefore had to send him off, this prompted further meyhem and on the final whistle Simon Holloway was given a straight red card for foolishly questioning the officials judgement. The subsequent suspensions mean Ruthin will have a complete CA team out of action over the next few weeks.
Ruthins young squad continue to learn the hard way but learn they will.
Match ball sponsors - Sam Roberts - Plant Hire.
Ruthin squad - Jez Porter, Will Roberts, Aled Roberts, Mike Sharples, John Jones,Garmon Rhys, Mark Entwhistle, Matthew Davies, Gaz Martin, Dave Holloway, Gary Ellison, Dewi Roberts, Dewi Jones, Si Holloway.
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Sat Nov 3rd 2007
Lex XI 0 Ruthin Town 1
Ruthin gratefully accepted the 3 points following a gutsy performance against Lex. The demand from the management was for all out effort to enable good football to follow. Ruthin certainly put in the effort. They dominated the play in the first half playing good football but missed a number of good chances including a rare penaty miss on 30 mins by Liam Jones having sent the keeper the wrong way he somehow pulled his spot kick wide. Lex broke dangerously at times with Gary Penlington being the main threat, One lowlight of the first half was the apathetic refereeing of a number of strong arm tactics by Lex. Ruthin might have gone in at half time 1 down following a poor kick by Jez Porter Lex broke on the left with Ruthin scrambling back Penlington met the cross on the volley and put it over the bar from 6 yards.
Ruthin were told to continue to apply themselves in the second half but Lex decided to take advantage of the weak refereeing by turning the second half into a war Ruthin stood up to the onslaught very well and weren't surprised to find that two Ruthin players Mark Entwhistle and Liam Jones went in the book first !!!!! On 50 minutes John Jones replaced the injured Simon Holloway, In amongst the battle that ensued brief moments of football broke out mainly played by Ruthin on 72 mins Gary Ellison tricked his way into the box and from a very tight angle disguised a cross to wrong foot the keeper for a crafty goal. On 75 mins Liam Jones put in a strong tackle on a Lex midfielder who immediately retaliated the Lex man was sent off for this but as if to even things up Liam Jones was also shown a straight red. Sam Griffiths replaced Garmon Rhys on 78 minutes as Ruthin continued to hold out for the points.
Highlights - team performance from Ruthin, 3 points well earned, 3 squad members under 18. the referees assessors knowing were to start !!
Match ball sponsors - Farmers Arms, Ruthin.
Ruthin squad - Jez Porter, Will Roberts, Aled Roberts, Rob Render, Garmon Rhys, Mark Entwhistle, Liam Jones, Si Holloway, Garmon Hafal, Dave Holloway, Gary Ellison, Sam Griffiths, John Jones, Sam Cartwright.
Reserves
An unlucky 2 1 home defeat to 2nd placed New Brighton, Mat Davies missing a penalty.
Colts
A high scoring home defeat 5 3 to Mold Alex.