Division 2 - Bargod Rangers 2 v 0 Llanybydder

A tough game this week, a match that would decide who was top of the league for the next few weeks at least. This fact seemed to spur Rangers into an inspiring start playing good flowing football from the first whistle and holding onto possesion and playing with some purpose.

Inside the first ten minutes a long ball up to Llan's giant striker saw Sam Skinner barking his name as he jumped to beat the striker to the ball, Llans player falling injured in a crumpled heap, much to the supporters praise. Well Won!! This seemed to set the tone for the rest of the team as there was no love loss in making 50-50 balls from the rangers back four and throughout. Llans awkward israili sriker met his match in Cefin Edwards who man marked him so well I thought he was going to follow him to the Llan touchline at half time!

The Israeli Llans only real outlet for much of the first half with his pace and twists and turns, but only managing to turn Edwards once and hit the target with safe hands from Josh Partis.

Rangers first real chance came from a thundering Ben Partis strike which rifled against the cross bar after Phil pollcock was felled after a mazy run.

Then came the goal, and a great goal it was too, Harri Stephens controlling it in the air and hitting a half volley into the bottom right hand corner from 25 yards, a real Captains goal in a big game.

Not long before half time and Pollcock was put through and had he put it either side of the keeper would have made it two nil, going for power the keeper palmed away for a corner.

Another break before half time could have ended in a goal, a great through ball from Partis on the left saw Llew Jones turn his man on the byline and with great vision square it back to the edge of the box with Pollcock dummying for the oncoming Stephens who shot wide of the target this time.

With 5 minutes to half time and leading one nil Llans giant striker was put through only to be halted by the oncoming Josh Partis who bravely took the ball and player, this time the Llan player couldn't carry on, both players suffering after the encounter however. Llans fresh legs seemed to briefly spark them into life a little and had a few breaks before the half time whistle, but Rangers defence stayed alert and went into the break deservedly leading.

Second half and Bargod upped the tempo and for the first half hour created three or four guilt edged chances to go somewhere towards sealing it. Memo Dag turned his man on the edge of the box superbly to creat a chance for himself but could only manage to force a good save. Next Llew Jones was guilty of missing an even better chance to convert when he was put through one on one by Llans own right back, maybe having to much time to think but the keeper doing well to keep them in in the game once more tipping it to the right with Dag failing to get on the rebound from a difficult angle.

The second goal finally came from an Aled Ap Neill freekick out on the left touchline, the ball superbly whipped in with pace and accuracy. With Stephens meeting it well but it rebounding off the line to Jones who once again showed this week his superb poaching instincts.

The last ten saw Llan push more men forward and creat some half chances with their israili striker finally learning how to pass this half and looking a better player for it. But it was to be Bargods day and deservadly so, a solid team performance with Keeper Josh Partis a commanding figure especially in those closing minutes with Llans final push, saving well twice at the death with hands and feet.

Both strikers worked back exceptionally well showing just how hard this team is willing to work for each other, it also showed they are not just there to score goals. Paul Farrelly was brought in from the reserve team and played very well if a little quite first half. Edwards and Skinner looked in complete control of the back four throughout. Man of the match though goes to Cefin Edwards.

Thanks to Joe Prentice for the report.