Trefelin snatch victory and go 8 points clear as Lee Trundle debuts
Ynys Park hosted the top of the table clash in the Welsh Football League Division 3 that saw leaders Trefelin welcome 2nd placed Trethomas. However the hype for the title race was almost overshadowed by the debut of former Swansea City professional and Welsh League Division 1 superstar Lee Trundle.
For the table trailing Bluebirds a win was needed in order to keep the pressure on the title favorites. While for the leaders themselves, a win would see them go 8 points clear at the top. Trefelin played in all red while Trethomas played in all blue.
The game began a slow cautious contest in cold and windy conditions and it was unclear as to who were dominant starters. But what was clear was that the game would have to pick up in entertainment in front of an incredible crowd that packed the sides of the pitch.
And the pace of the match would soon increase as some physical tackles went in. The handling towards the punishments of these challenges was heavily disputed by fans and players all through the game.
After the 10 minute mark, Trethomas suddenly came out of the blocks with a few half chances. The number 11 in blue, Lee Ashman struck a sweet left footed full volley just inside the box that was on target, but went straight into the keeper’s hands. Trethomas were threatening. Shortly after bluebird front man, Matthew Prosser had his header, 6 yards out, hit the crossbar to make up the biggest chance of the game.
And seconds later, Shaun Best’s flying boot was deemed high and dangerous enough for him to see red. So as a consolation for missing a golden opportunity, the away side’s opponents were down to 10 just 35 minutes in.
At half time, the goalless scoreline did not reflect the story of the first half. Trefelin had a mountain to climb if they were to win against a formidable Tretohmas side.
What was a shock to most in the first half was that Lee Trundle had rarely been involved and had barely a sniff of goal. As well as that, Damon Thomas, a man with 21 league goals this season, had not seen a chance either for Trefelin.
This would all change in the second half.
Minutes into the second half Adam Williams hit a sensational half volley from 30 yards out which was whiskers wide of putting the Bluebirds in front. And soon after that, Adam Johns, the Blues number 10, was denied by Mark Snell from 10 yards out. It was a brilliant reflex save diving to his left stopping what was seemingly a certain goal.
The away side would soon regret all of these missed chances. On the hour mark a Trefelin man was bundled over in the box and awarded a penalty. The man to step up was of course the debutante, Lee Trundle. With no nerves at all, he stepped up and precisely powered the ball into the bottom left to put the ten men hosts in front.
He and his team thought he had won it until the 85th minute when Adam Johns redeemed himself for his earlier miss with a scruffy right footed shot into the bottom corner to equalize for his side. It was a goal that set the visitors’ celebrations alight. At one point their previously sent off manager came running on the pitch Jurgen Klopp style as he couldn’t contain his emotions. It showcased just how much was on the line in this match.
Nevertheless, the Bluebirds’ joy was short-lived as Trefelin snatched victory two minutes from time. Damon Thomas scored his 22nd of the season and it was one of the solo goals of the season as he began his run from deep in his own half. After skipping a few defenders on the break he topped off his miraculous run with a nice placed finish worthy of winning a match. The celebrations are probably still going as Trefelin have fought past their greatest test to sail 8 points clear at the top.
