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Penrhyndeudraeth v Trearddur Bay United

7 May 2012
Gwynedd League
Penrhyndeudraeth 5 Trearddur Bay United 5 (att 120)

An incredible 90 minutes, and the first time in many years of watching football that I've seen a game end in a 5-5 draw. Not bad entertainment for the bargain £2 admission price.

The out-of-date table on the Gwynedd League's website makes it hard to be certain, but I think this point was enough to confirm Penrhyndeudraeth as champions, ahead of the visitors who finish as runners up.

They clinched the title the hard way though. Despite starting well and dominating the early exchanges, it was Trearddur Bay, from Anglesey, who went ahead. They didn't just sneak in front, but exploited the home side's defensive lapses to race 3-0 ahead.

As you might guess from the final score, defensive failings were shared by both sides, and Trearddur Bay helped the home side get two back before half time. First their keeper punched a corner into his own net, before a second own goal reduced the arrears further.

That should have been a launch pad for Penrhyndeudraeth to take a grip on the game in the second half, but instead the visitors re-established their three goal lead.

But with both sides creating chances, and the woodwork being hit at both ends, there were always likely to be more goals, and it was almost inevitable when Penrhyndeudraeth scored three more to level the game.

Penrhyndeudraeth is close to Porthmadog, and the village football ground, Maes-y-Parc, is easy to spot on the main road. It's basic but adequate for this level. Most of the pitch perimeter is roped off, and there's a pair of dugouts, with the club name painted on the top. Add a tea bar, a scenic setting, large crowd, and the 10 goals, it would hard to get a better afternoon's football, despite the pouring rain, which began shortly before kick off, and stopped shortly after the final whistle.






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