TT No.236: Paul Roth - Saturday 19th April 2008; Welsh League 1st Division; CAERLEON vs. AFAN LIDO  Result: 2-1; Att: 150 (?);  Entry: £2 with 24 page programme; Weather: Heavy rain & cold.

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Meeting my great pals Bob and Hillary at the Premier Inn at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, my stop over for the Saturday night, would mean another boozy and fun-filled day, and that was exactly what it turned out to be.   Caerleon, a mile or so East of Newport, really is a lovely place, being situated on a bend in the river Usk and boasting fantastic, well preserved Roman ruins. It's a picturesque place, too.   Before the football we went for a drink in the superb Wheatsheaf pub in Llanhennock, set high up above the valley and river below, and the Bell and Hanbury Arms in the town itself. All are GBG listed.   Cold Bath Road, just off the town centre, is where to find Caerleon AFC's headquarters. The pitch is fully railed(with green railings, the clubs' colours), there is a small stand (again painted green) for shelter from the   elements and at the furthest end, behind the goal, a modest clubhouse, resplendent with old team photos from the club's past. The goalnets are, you've guessed it, green also!   It only cost £2 to get in (a man takes your money at the green gate across the narrow road from the club) and this includes a modest, but most welcome, 24 page programme (the adverts inside it do tend to drag on!). With pleasant vistas all around, this is a very nice setting to watch football in.   In the week ahead I'm going to get myself galvanized, as after yet another soaking, I'm sure rust is soon going to start appearing upon my bodywork! I'm sick and tired of the ****** rain!   This Welsh League match was played in a good spirit and was very competitive, with the home side just about deserving their narrow victory by the odd goal in three. The defeat all but ends the promotion aspirations of the team from Port Talbot.   After the game, and I know this is not relevant to the football but was part of my day all the same, we visited the Crown at Churchill and the Blue Flame at Nailsea, both in Somerset...Bob and Hilary's adopted County. These two GBG listed pubs were absolutely stupendous and if you are ever down that way for a match, seek them out. You WILL love them.   A great game of football, superb pubs and beer, a fantastic location but above all, shared with my lovely friends.   FGIF RATING...there's not a number high enough!

contributed on 20/04/08