Wednesday 28 January 2015

You can't beat a last minute winner!

Last week I ranted about the Welsh Premier League and the structure, and basically wined about anything there was to moan about.
However on Saturday I was kind of made to eat my words, as GAP Connah's Quay and Newtown played out the most exciting game I have seen this season, and midway through the season, it did have significance.
I went up there like a Newtown fan again, full of optimism knowing that the Robins had enough in the tank to get the job done.
However what followed in the next 45 minutes was without doubt the worst half of football I have seen since covering the league, no offence to Chris Hughes, Allan Bickerstaff and their players.
It was awful with one chance being created by both sides, but fair play to on loan midfielder Ryan Fraughan, he took it well.
At half time I was seriously contemplating leaving. I wouldn't have done but it is the first time covering a game I have ever considered it.
But then it all changed. The second period was unbelieveable. It wasn't the best of specticals but my got it was a game of football all right.
Jason Oswell has been out of form recently, and his turn of form interestingly conicided with my departure from Newtown.
Me returning to cover the game could be seen as a sign of his superb turn and volley brought the scores level and gave the Robins hope.
However it was short lived as Rowlands equalised as he and his side capitalised on some suspect defending at best.
But one thing I have learnt in my time covering Newtown and the WPL, is that the Robins never, ever lie down.
Luke 'Mr Reliable' Boundford levelled it up, but from then GAP should have won it.
Throughout the second period the hosts had numerous chances to win it, and Hughes and his side would have been counting their lucky stars they were still in the game with five minutes to go.
Mitchell volleyed wide and Newtown pressed but it wouldn't go in, and as the GAP sub was baring down on goal in the last minute, it looked all over.
But Dave Jones, who has grown and grown in confidence this season, putting in some absoloutly superb displays this season pulled off one of his most important saves of the campaign.
And from that the Robins went down the other end, and a flick on found Tom Goodwin who poked the ball home sending the 60+ Robins fans and the players into raptures.
I was pleased for Goodwin who had been dropped from the side recently, but came back in, played a blinder and got his just reward.
For their seasons efforts it was nothing more than Newtown deserved after their superb start to the season, despite not really deserving to win on the day.
Thinking about it, if Newtown would have failed to win on Saturday, and not qualified for the top six it could have been labelled as a failure or a step back.
My view on that could be because of added pressure due to last years superb campaign, but I think it would have been a step back.
On paper it would have been, and I think Hughes and his players would have been kicking themselves if they had failed to win.
Hughes and Calum McKensie have built a solid team at Latham Park now with a dependable goalkeeper, reliable back four, a classy midfield, and a front line that can score goals.
And that is all on a shoe string budget compared to the rest of the league.
His January additions of Cadwallader and Partridge have been shrewd, however he has indicated all January he wants a striker, but time is ticking in the window.
Jason Oswell has been immense, and started the season with a bang, but it showed he couldn't do it all on his own, as his goals have slowed up.
Saturday's screaming finish could spark him back into life in front of goal, but I think Hughes is right in trying to bring in a new forward.
John Owen of Caersws was a target but that seems to be off the table. It could have been a great signing, after I was left very impressed by the former Porthmadog strikers display against Guilsfield for the Bluebirds a few weeks ago.
I have heard a few names banded about, including some top class players but it remains to be seen if another marksman can be added.
But with attacking prowess in the form of Hearsey, Boundford, Mitchell, Price, Oswell and Sean Evans, Hughes isn't light on fire power.
And looking at the squad as a whole, and what should be the make up of the top six, depending on a Carmarthen miracle tonight, the Robins have every chance of Europe through the play-offs.
If I was a Newtown player now I would be looking at passport renewal prices.

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