TT No.153: Mike Latham - Sat 28 January 2012: Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Div 1; CPD Bodedern 0-3 Holywell Town; Attendance: 60 (h/c); Admission: Ł3; No programme; FGIF match rating: 4*  

 

 

 

Matchday images (37) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/CPDBodedern 

 

Frost-free Anglesey again provided a respite on a day that dawned unpromisingly; a check telephone call to the friendly voice at the other end of the line confirmed the game was definitely on and it was full steam ahead along the A55, a road I have got to know really well these past few weeks.

 

League leaders Holywell Town were the visitors, a team I had seen several times in recent years. I knew they played good football and had a following of cheerful and passionate spectators, a feeling confirmed by my visit to Anglesey. I knew less of the home team, CPD Bodedern Athletic FC, other than after a fine pedigree following the original club’s formation in 1946 they had been forced to resign from the Cymru Alliance in 2007 due to a shortage of players.

 

Re-formed as Bodedern Athletic FC, they took their reserve team’s place in the Gwynedd League and gradually rebuilt with a predominantly young side. They also changed home grounds from the school in the village to a field adjoining the village hall on Church Street, known as Cae Ty Cristion. An imposing building overlooking the field gives the ground its name, Ty Cristion which translates as Christian House, a former coaching inn now converted into holiday cottages.

 

It was a dry and relatively warm afternoon on Anglesey with the pitch looking in good condition despite recent rain. The village hall provides the dressing room accommodation and the home club have installed an immaculate tea room in a portable building by the entrance, decked out in the club colours of green and white.

 

The playing area, which has sweeping views across sheep-filled fields to three sides, has been railed-off with dug-outs installed along the far side. Behind the near-side goal a small seated stand has been built with the legend ‘CPD Bodedern Athletic’ on the roof. There is also a smaller covered stand that resembles a bus stop. Most of the spectators gathered by the entrance, behind a stone wall, preferring the hard standing and slightly elevated view to standing on the wet grass around the rest of the ground.

 

By kick-off time around 60 spectators were in attendance and they witnessed a fast flowing and entertaining game officiated by a veteran referee who seemed to know everyone present. Though some of the challenges were a mite agricultural he kept a lid on tensions with a smiling and tolerant approach aided by two efficient linesmen. He made only one booking and that late-on in a game that, had it been controlled by some local referees of my acquaintance would have descended into a card-athon with no more control of proceedings.

 

The visitors had the edge in the final third, scoring twice in the first-half and sealing a hard-fought win with a late third goal just after the home side hit the post. I thought there was little to separate the teams and that Bodedern tried hard to play good, constrictive football on a heavy pitch.

 

Though the game had certainly been hard-fought with some meaty challenges, it was good to see players from both teams congratulate one another at the final whistle as the players took it in turn to shake the hands of their opponents and the officials.

 

I really enjoy watching this level of football in Wales and the league is fortunate to have a good website that is regularly updated with fixture and postponement news. A visit to Bodedern comes highly recommended.

contributed on 28/01/12