Where are you going?

Shame Irish walked away. I enjoyed reading his posts on here, especially on non-Rovers games/matters. I don’t think though that you can completely remove a football club from your DNA so hope he will return at some point. Chewbacca too. Think the Fenix trophy has evolved since that post a couple of years ago. It is a great idea and I hope it goes from strength to strength. Anything that builds bonds and friendships between different teams is a good thing imho. Everyone at the game had a good time, and Llantwit are my new non-league favourites. Just love their eccentricity, creativity and off the wall lunacy. Still laughing at the Mr Blobby keepers shirt even now

Caerau Ely vs Rogerstone AFC Welsh cup 3rd round

Home team in Cymru South (2nd Tier), visitors in Gwent County League (4th tier in FAW pyramid) for a place in the last 16 of the Welsh cup. Could the visitors bridge 2 levels in the pyramid, and what sort of standard is Gwent County league given that Cymru South is like parks football?

Those questions were answered within 25 minutes. A combination of profligate finishing, an excellent save and some dogged defending kept the scores level till then, but once the first goal went in it was always likely the floodgates would open and so it proved. Ely scored 3 similar goals where their players were afforded far too much room in the box and left with routine finishes then added a fourth from the penalty spot after an agricultural challenge from a Rogerstone defender scythed down a home player.

Further carnage ensued in the second half even with a rash of home substitutions and two further goals were added. On 65 mins Rogerstone got a consolation when a cross from the right was not dealt with and was bundled home by CF Luke Thomas. Ely took their foot off the gas but still had enough to add two more similar goals. Final score 8-1 but this could have been a cricket score if Ely had really gone for it. Gulf between the two leagues is huge and based on today, Rogerstone would struggle to compete with teams in the bottom league of the Downs.

Rogerstone is a large village between Newport, Risca and Caerleon whilst Ely is a suburb of Cardiff. The village team is the older of the two dating back to 1890 but reformed in 1950 and this is the furthest they have got in the Welsh cup in their history. Ely have been around since 1955. Their Cwrt-yr-Ala ground is unremarkable with two small seated stands on either touchline on the halfway line (both with interrupted view) and a small but homely clubhouse.

Entrance £6, no programme (either hard copy or on line), £1.50 for a Gregg’s cheese and bacon pastry and £1 for a tea. Att 120 including a good few from Rogerstone who made some noise when they scored. Despite the glut of goalmouth action, this was the least enjoyable game I’ve been to across the bridge, probably because it was such an uneven contest. If Rogerstone could have hung on for an hour before conceding then it might have been a more interesting watch. Caerau had 7 different scorers too.

Maccabi London Lions 2 Wormley Rovers 0 (Gladwish Challenge Trophy).
Both are members of the Spartan South Midlands Football League and are both mid-table. Lions have had a short history, formed as MALEX in 1995. A name change and progress up the leagues followed for (as the name suggests) this all-Jewish Club. I think they are dropping "Maccabi" name though. 
Short trip along the M25, down the A1/M, left at the first r/about. The ground itself is not signposted, I presume for security reasons? But I knew where it was from google maps. Plenty of parking. Main pitch in immaculate condition, one decent sized covered stand to the right as you walk in, just a path around the rest of the pitch. Main Clubhouse under refurbishment, but very clean and tidy bar/cafe perfectly adequate. There must have been another 4 or 5 pitches (grass and 3G) and looks a really impressive set-up. Some big cars in the car park, there must be some serious money floating about. Lions in blue, Wormley Rovers in their usual red shirts & black shorts. Weather - dull, overcast, no wind.
1st Half. Lions better all over the pitch. No long balls. Quick, one touch passing. Not pointless possession play though. Both sides quite pyhsical, but played in good spirit. Lions were having a lot of success down their right, but just lacked the final killer pass. Mid-way through the first half Lions unlocked the Wormley defence, neat ball through the middle, leaving a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Tidy finish (caught on camera for a change!). Lions kept on top and the odd Wormley attack was easily dealt with. Not long after the first goal, a second arrived. A corner came in, a shot initially parried by the keeper, looked like it was going over, keeper adjusted his position, the spin on the ball brought it back just under the bar, and he desperately scrambled to keep it out, to no avail as it came off of the stanchion and keeper helped it into his own net. Some sniggering from some of the Lions players. 2-0 and a mountain to climb for Wormley. Wormley were getting frustrated by this point. A late tackle left a Lions player writhing on the floor, Lions No5 came piling in and the proverbial melee ensued. Officials discussed the sequence of events and dished out a a yellow to the Wormley tackler and the Lions No5. Very good refereeing to keep everything under control. Bottle of Pironi at HT.
2nd Half. More of the same. A Lions ball ran along the Wormley goalmouth and just lacked a touch from one of three players for 3-0. Lions hit the post and crossbar. Wormley just found it all too much to deal with. After the fisty cuffs before HT the game settled down. No more yellow cards and I though very good officiating. Wormley bench were a bit gobby. Frustrated. But sometimes you're better off just taking a loss on the chin. Very professional set up at Lions, wouldn't be surprised to see them climb further up the pyramid.
Entry: £8. No programme (paper or on-line). 2 bottles of Pironi a little toppy at £8.
Attendance: A rather disappointing est 35-40.