Narrow victory for Kinmel Bay FC against Cerrigydrudion.

Kinmel Bay (3) Vs CPD Cerrigydrudion (2) at Y Morfa leisure centre 20/04/24.

Match report 20 April 2024, by team manager Alex Craig, and photos by Barry Griffiths.

Today was Kinmel Bay’s final league game of the season in what can only be described as a mixed bag season winning 12 drawing 4 and losing 8. 

Kinmel Bay’s management team of Leon Field Andy Thomas and Alex Craig set out their goals at the start of the season and have fell just short of what was predicted; however, a cup final win next week will leave the club in a great position going into next season. 

Today's game was always going to be hard for the Bay starting with a minutes silence for our GK Ash Lavender Uncle, we were also missing a number of regular players out due to different reasons. 

We started with a mix of first team players and Reserve players, but don't take anything away from the lads who stepped up they did not disappoint one bit today. We went into the game with just 13 players available. 

We got off to a quick start putting plenty of pressure on Cerrig with Ben Cawley and Jordan Bellham linking up well whilst playing some fantastic balls into Tate Walker. 

Cerrig soon got into the game working well in the middle of the pitch with some lovely football, but it was the Bay who took the lead on the 20th minute with a quick goal kick from Ash Lavender which bounced over the Cerrig back line and Ben Cawley was there to slot it home 1-0 to the Bay.

The game went back and forth with both teams having chances at each end but it was Cerrig who stuck next on 33 minutes gone, a free kick positioned towards the corner flag was whipped in by Tomos Jones and Alun Vaughan Evans reacted quickest to bundle the ball into the goal 1-1. 

Half Time Bay 1 Cerrig 1, a pretty even game so far. No changes were made at half time for either team and the second half started pretty much the same way with both teams creating chances, but Bays defence stood strong. The bays Liam Jones and Dan Wickerson tried to stop most of Cerrigydrudion’s attacks, but unfortunately Cerrig took the lead with 52 minutes gone when the ball was played down the right to Tirion Griffiths who cut inside and fired into the far bottom corner Cerrig we’re now 2-1 up. 

We always knew it would be tough going against a consistent hardworking side in Cerrigydrudion who are pushing for the league with NFA, but we dug deep and pressured Cerrig and it paid off on the 57th minute with a throw which was flicked on by Ben Cawley to Cory Owen who was left unmarked 25 yards out and he struck the ball on the half volley and it sailed through the crowded box and found its way into the bottom corner 2-2 58 minutes gone. 

Bay made their first change bringing a young Morgan Williams on for Dillan Roberts at RB we were now starting to frustrate Cerrig this causing a couple of yellows to be handed out to the away side as both teams put 100% in to find a winner.

Chris Evans for the bay made some great last-ditch tackles to cut Cerrig out, equally Cerrig defence was holding also doing the same. We had to make our final substitution on the 77th minute as Harry Woodfine replaced Mason Richards who was caught late and had to come off injured due to a horrific tackle. 

The lads started to push harder for the winner putting plenty of pressure on Cerrig Harry Woodfine turned the provider on the 92nd minute with a get flicked header to fall to Tate Walker who struck the ball lovely on the outside of his right foot passed the oncoming keeper nothing was stopping that 3-2 now to the Bay with just seconds to play Cerrig had a great chance to make it 3 - 3 but Chris Evans was there again to stop the attack for Bay. 

Mikey Gray blew the whistle to wrap up the league season for Kinmel Bay who showed heart fight and desire today with a depleted squad and done the management team proud. 

*Next Saturday we take on our friends Llandudno Junction in the final of the Cookson Cup at Denbigh Town 2pm KO. Kinmel Bay are asking for as many fans as possible to attend and be our 12th man so we can finally thank you all for our amazing support all season.