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Problemau'n pentyrru / Problems mounting Even before the ref blew his whistle for yesterday’s game we knew we had a tough challenge ahead of us. Ruthin were on something of a revival since changing managers, apart from their setback at Druids last week. Steve Kehoe and Grahame Austin were suspended - Steve after a poor performance from the referee against Flint Phil Williams pulled out of the game an hour before kick off due to work commitments and Scott Sephton and Leon Newell were asked to start after being out of action for 3-weeks/month with injuries. Josh Banks played the whole game with a hamstring strain (as we had no cover in his position - Fozzy unavailable) and he could hardly move in the last 30 minutes. Dan Pyrs also played with a bruised foot After the game started, a blatant foul on Grahame Boylan which would have resulted in a penalty, came a shocking decision. A two footed tackle on Rhys Roberts (yes the player took the ball) but look at what else he took. (See the photos of Rhys's shin and ankle following the challenge). Now the ref didn't even give a foul saying the player won the ball………..!!!!!! What about diving in, intent, ferocity of the challenge???!!! To Rhys's credit he played on for 75 minutes in this condition as we had no suitable replacements. 
Carl Owen's leg still only allows him to be a bit part player (cold weather doesn't help his condition). Ceri James pulled his hamstring (Manager had to replace him who has not played in 3 years!!) The referee then saw it fit (after giving nothing for the challenge on Rhys or when one of their players kicked out in the box), to send Campbell to the stands for complaining to the ref that we had been trying to substitute Ceri for 2 minutes and the ball had been out of play 3 times!!! To add to our woes, John Owen landed awkwardly after shooting and buckled his knee, and had to be assisted in walking off the pitch (looks like a bad injury) and Gruffydd John will also be out Saturday. So all in all I think it was something of a miracle that we had 11 players standing on the pitch yesterday, let alone win the match. One thing that was evident despite the lack of quality and that was the fighting spirit and determination of the battered and bruised players on the pitch, giving everything to the cause. Now our next mission is to try and ensure we have 11 players available for next weekend’s game against Penycae.” Gareth Parry |
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