Newbridge-on-Wye 4 Builth Wells 2
Spar Mid Wales League Division 1
At: Penbont
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £38 hop ticket including 12 page £1 programme
Attendance: 322
Weather: sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:31; second-half: 47:12
After Rhosgoch, the second match on today’s hop itinerary was the Division 1 local derby between Newbridge-on-Wye and Builth Wells which turned out to be, though only for a few hours, a Welsh hop record holder.On the way down to the first game, a few miles north of Rhosgoch, I’d spotted a turn for a place called Glascwm. Now, the village isn’t one on the tip of many people’s tongue, but the name of ‘Glascwn’ brought back memories of cycling holidays and a simple-category youth hostel I planned to visit but never managed to visit. A quick look at the map suggested that driving to Newbridge via Glascwun wasn’t a detour at all. I expected the village to be at the top of a hill not as it was, downhill in a valley. The hostel closed in 1997 after 50 years of service and one of the outbuildings is still in situ.
After bad pre-trip planning for Rhosgoch, there was more of the same in Newbridge-on-Wye though this time I had the correct village but couldn’t find the ground. A quick drive round drew a blank and I asked a pedestrian. Trouble was this chap must have got his lefts and rights wrong as I ended up going round in a circle.
One feature in the centre of the village I kept noticing was a prominent fountain, made of polished pinkish granite opposite the New Inn. The inscription read: ‘Erected by public subscription in the memory of the Rev. J. E. Lloyd the first vicar of Newbridge-on-Wye & Llysdinam 1883-1902’.Finally, to end the frustration, I asked someone else with a better sense of direction who told me the ground was down the B4358, signed Beulau, from the main road at the northern end of the village. Aha, there was the ground on the left immediately after crossing the Rover Wye.
As with all the hop grounds so far, the place was buzzing. The sun shone brightly and warmly. And, to the delight of a non-meat eater, baked potatoes with butter, cheese and baked beans were on the menu.
Though players changed at the farm near the main road and walked up to the pitch, the ground named ‘Penybont’ boasted a wooden stand containing three rows of bench seating, and also a refreshments hut.
Hop games are always special and today’s game had an extra special ingredient. Just eight miles separates Newbridge and visitors Builth Wells and local rivals were meeting for the first time at senior level.
Looking at the league table, Newbridge hadn’t got off to a good start, losing their opening two league games. Builth, in contrast, had six points on the board from home victories over Presteigne St Andrews and Dolgellau which followed an opening day defeat at Berriew.Builth Wells (in orange shirts, black shorts and black socks) got the game underway in warm sunshine, admittedly with a blustery wind, and under a mostly blue sky. They attacked the near car park end in the first half.
Despite playing yesterday, Newbridge (wearing all white) got off to a great start by taking the lead in the 10th minute. Luke Boundford delivered a long throw into the Builth area which was poorly punched by keeper Ryhs Hughes. The ball wasn’t cleared and Jordan Cooper fired home. ‘Dan Farmer’ was announced as the scorer and there was logic to this – Farmer was no. 9 on the line-up borad but actually wearing no. 8 shirt.
The lead lasted nine minutes. Glen Huntley did well to tip Tom Brown’s initial shot onto the bar but Kevin Lewis slotted home the rebound. Playing into the wind, the visitors took the lead just before the half-hour mark. Steve Parry cross deep from the right and Shane Pritchard sent a looping header over Huntley and into the net.
The attendance headcount took place and the figure of 322 surpassed by just three spectators the previous record for a Welsh hop game of 319 set in 2006 at Aber Valley YMCA.Newbridge levelled things up in the 63rd minute. Gavin Samuel brought down Adriani Girolami inside the area and Matt Aubrey, once of Bristol City, buried the resulting penalty into the corner of the net.
It got even better for the home side three minutes later as they regained the lead. Aubrey slipped the ball into the path of John Samuel on the left side of the area who fired a low shot into the opposite corner of the net.
And Newbridge put the outcome beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Substitute Sam Hope crossed from the left and Aubrey scored his second goal of the game with a glancing header.
Full-time and the short five or so mile drive to Llandrindrod Wells.
Newbridge-on-Wye (white/white/white): 1. Glen Huntely, 2. Taran Lewis, 3. Phil Ruell, 4. Adriano Girolami, 5. Luke Boundford, 6. John Foster, 7. John Samuel, 8. Dan Farmer, 9. Jordan Cooper, 10. Matt Aubrey, 11. Steve Morgan. Subs: 12. Dan Bradbourn (not used), 14. Sam Hope (for Farmer, 72), 15. Cephas Grey (for Aubrey, 85), 16. Danny Evans (for Cooper, ht), 17. Kieran McAuley (not used).
Builth Wells (orange/black/black): 1. Rhys Hughes, 2. Jason Samuel, 3. Gavin Samuel, 4. Lee James, 5. Steve Parry, 6. Shane Pritchard, 7. Greg Lawrence, 8. Neil Davies, 9. Harry Barnstable, 10. Tom Brown, 11. Kevin Lewis. Subs: 12. Aled Jones (for Parry, 59), 14. Tom Rowlands (not used), 15. Shane Claridge (for Jason Samuel, 85), 17. Phil Draper (for Lewis, 76).
Referee: Paul Morgan (Aberystwyth).
Assistants: John Davies (Aberystwyth) and Dave Bywater (Prestigne).
Goals:
1-0 Jordan Cooper (10)
1-1 Kevin Lewis (19)
1-2 Shane Pritchard (29)
2-2 Matt Aubrey (63 pen)
3-2 John Samuel (66)
4-2 Matt Aubrey (81)
Cards:
Newbridge: none
Builth Wells: Steve Parry (YC, 31)
