Croesyceiliog Athletic - 1

IN what can only be described as an unglamorous win with a shimmer of glitter and glam, Crickhowell Football Club managed to extend their season with a victory over Croesyceiliog Athletic in the second round of the Amateur Cup.

While the autumnal colours and temperatures blessed Crickhowell with fantastic scenery, it did little in the way of providing a playable surface for the cup encounter. A bobbly ground and slippery surface brought the quality of the game down from Crickhowell’s new found ‘tikka takka’ style into a slightly less attractive hit and run.

After going 1-1 in the first half with a tap in from goal savvy Benjamin Ward, the lead was obtained with a wonder strike from the golden boot of CFC’s newly formed centre midfielder, Michael ‘Nani’ Ling. As the ball was cleared from a cross ‘Nani’ pictured his name written above the doorframe of ‘The Swan’ as he struck the floating ball straight into the top bin.

Forty five minutes in and the first half of the game being was feeling a little cagey with sections of the pitch completely vacant. More unnervingly the old school system of a 4-4-2 seemed to bring the veteran midfield of Crickhowell into disarray, and in need of a firm talking to by the very same veteran midfield of Crickhowell.

As the whistle blew to announce the start of the second half Crickhowell had a firmer idea of the tactics needed to employ and release the full backs into the space. With joy coming down the wings and players filling the gaps like an all-purpose ‘Polyfilla’ Crickhowell cemented their lead. A mazy run from Joseph Tanti resulted in a penalty. Tanti deservedly stepped up and smashed home from 12 yards after swiping the spot clear of leaves.

In the man of the match performance Tanti once again found his name on the score sheet in a slightly more emphatic way. After a couple of touches out wide and cutting inside Tanti could hear the screams of Manager Mason in his ear, “Whip it in!!!”. Now what happens next is left to the reader, some say it was a cross, one says it was a shot. Either way, the destination was the same, straight into the onion bag. 4-1.

The next round of the cup sees Crickhowell meet Machen at Elvicta. A pitch that people are beginning to rename the fortress.