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Wednesday 14th October 2009

NWCFA 1 v 2 NEWFA

played at Prestatyn Town FC

In a pulsating and thoroughly entertaining encounter, Jamie Hunter's U'18 side got off to a winning start to this season's Ram Leisure Inter-Association Trophy, by beating last years' winners.

NEWFA found themselves a goal down at the break due to a defensive mix-up, but during that half we hit the bar twice and played some excellent football, and remained positive that we could turn the deficit around in the second half. In fairness the second 45 minutes was a tighter affair with NWCFA this time hitting the woodwork twice, but their keeper made some excellent saves too. NEWFA drew level with George Cowell planting a header in the goal following some great work by Aled Evans. NEWFA pressed on and got the winner with Jamie Crowther heading home following a corner, this was somewhat ironic as the Mold Alex player had starred for NWCFA in last seasons Competition, but has since moved to the North East Wales FA Area - thankfully!!

The last 10 minutes called for some great defensive work from our lads as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and Richard Parry in goal for us produced a top class save in the closing stages. Well done boys and many thanks to Prestatyn Town for their superb hospitality before during and after the match.

This result will go a long way in helping our Coaching and Development Chairman Mr John Hughes to make a speedy and full recovery from his recent illness. A word of thanks must also go to Mr David Parry of Rhos Aelwd FC for all his help in the build up to the game following John's enforced stay in Hospital, it's great to know that in times of adversity the Football Community in NEWFA Area can be relied upon to help out!!

Tuesday 26th January 2010

NEWFA 1 v 1 CWFA

played at The New Saints FC

In another great advertisement for the quality of Football in North Wales, these two unbeaten teams went head to head at The Venue, and the game lived up to all expectations. Both teams looked to play a short, sharp passing game and the surface at TNS certainly helped their styles. It is fair to say that NEWFA enjoyed most of the possession in the first half without really penetrating, but the constant probing of midfielders Josh Griffiths and Aled Evans and the willingness of Mike Pritchard to chase everything up front kept CWFA on the back foot. Having said that the best chance of the night fell to Ross Frame of CWFA who broke clear and was left with just the keeper to beat but his effort went just wide of the right hand upright. NEWFA responded with a slick move down the left, and as the ball was played into the box to Niall Chalinor's feet it looked like he had nowhere to go, but an exquisite turn and shot just shaved the bar with the keeper well beaten.

The start of the second-half exploded into life, as straight from the kick-off CWFA went forward and Josh Breeze beat the keeper with a 25-yard chip to put the visitors 1-0 up. Most of the spectators were unaware of the goal as they were still inside trying to get warm!! NEWFA continued to dominate possession but still lacked that killer instinct to score, although second half sub Jack Chaloner did have a couple of efforts well saved. As the game went on, the recent inactivity due to the weather began to show, and the sharpness of the inter-play disappeared, but NEWFA got back on level terms after 70 minutes with a delightful glancing header from Jack Williams at the near post, following a superb cross under pressure from the left by Kenny Dwyer. Special mention must go to the defenders of NEWFA who coped admirably throughout the ninety minutes.

Thanks to The New Saints FC for hosting the match in their unique arena.

Thanks to Phil Blagg at NWN for the match photo's

Monday 8th March 2010

NEWFA 3 v 1 NWCFA

played at Buckley Town FC

After three previous attempts to get this game played, it was a feeling of relief all around as the weather god's relented, and the game kicked-off on time at Buckley Town's impressive stadium. With several of our regulars missing, we always knew this would be a tough game against last season's winners, but nobody had told our lads that, because they set about the job in hand right from the first whistle. Inside the first 5 minutes Michael Pritchard burst through the Coast FA's defence, but was tackled by their last man and had a strong claim for a penalty turned down, but somehow he still managed to get a shot away whilst lying on the floor, but it was deflected just past the upright. After 15 minutes the Coast FA were awarded a penalty, and Jake Cassidy stepped up and slotted home for a 1-0 lead. This seemed to trigger the Coast FA to attack and they spurned a great chance to go two up, when a shot came back off the post.

Gradually though the NEWFA team got a foot-hold in the game and came close on a couple of occasions without really testing their keeper, though at the other end the strong runs of Jake Cassidy were causing some anxious moments in the NEWFA defence. In the 37th minute NEWFA got the goal their play deserved, following a sweeping five-man move which started deep inside their own half, which was very well finished off from 15yards by Jack Williams. Whatever both Jamie and Steve said at half-time certainly paid early dividends, as NEWFA carried on from where they ended the first half, by playing some lovely free-flowing football. Again the willingness of Michael Pritchard to chase everything up front caused problems to the Coast FA's defence. In midfield the energy of Aled Evans and Jack Williams ensured NEWFA were always in control. Then there was a strong defensive line superbly led by Jack Chaloner.

On the hour mark, following sheer persistence by Jack Williams down the left, he set up Aled Evans to hit an unstoppable shot into the net for a 2-1 lead. Five minutes later Pritchard looked to have squeezed a goal in from a very acute angle, but the ball clipped the top of the bar and went away to safety. But on 70 minutes Niall Chalinor sprung the offside trap and coolly slotted a low shot into the bottom corner with only the keeper to beat. At 3-1 the game was over, but credit to NWCFA for refusing to think along those lines, as they continued to probe. But NEWFA were always a threat on the break, and substitute Callum Parlour did his chances of being included for the next game no harm at all, with an impressive cameo. He set up his Club colleague, Pritchard with the best chance of the night, but somehow he contrived to miss his kick from six yards out. It made your Dad laugh anyway Pritch, especially when you went down with cramp…… I'm sure he told you all the way home how he would have expertly finished it!! Can I just pass on a huge thank-you to Stewart and his gang at Buckley Town FC for the superb welcome they gave everyone from both NEWFA and NWCFA. Nothing was too much trouble, and they even retrieved the ball went it went over the perimeter fence!! If you haven't been to a match at their ground at Globe Way, Buckley, then do so soon, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the surroundings. After the match it was great to meet an old adversary of ours - former goalkeeper Colin "Docker" Snead - who is now mine host at The Blue Bell, and he and his staff provided a superb buffet.

We shall return!!

Friday 28th May 2010

CWFA 6 v 1 NEWFA

played at Penrhyncoch FC

The final game of this years tournament saw the Team travel to Penrhyncoch, unfortunately it took us one hour to get through heavy traffic in Newtown which saw us arrive after three hours on the road at 7.25pm. It was agreed to delay the KO to 7-45pm, not an ideal preparation for the deciding game in this season's Inter-Association Trophy. Unfortunately it showed when CWFA took the lead after five minutes. It went down hill from there and team went to pieces and went in at the break 3-0 down.

After one of the best half time talks I have ever heard the team came out with a different attitude in the second period, and although they conceded a further three goals they gave their all, Niall Challinor scored the only goal for NEWFA with a powerful shot. A disappointing result and it would be easy to make excuses but CWFA deserved their victory and the Tournament win.

Finally, a big thank you to all the U-18s squad, there has been some fantastic football played, also huge thanks to James Hunter, Steve O’Shaughnessy and Andy Roberts for all the hard work they have put in to getting the Squad together and playing so well.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
CWFA	4	2	2	0	13	3	8
NEWFA	4	2	1	1	7	9	7
NWCFA	4	0	1	3	3	11	1