Druids in the Spotlight
The last 3 seasons
By Webmaster/Rheolwr y Wefan
October 12 2002
Flexsys Cefn Druid's Programme Editor, Andrew Edwards, reviews his side's first 3 season's in the League of Wales for the Cefn-Mawr club. Find out how the club have adapted to the step-up to the National League.
Druids in the League Of Wales
SEASON 1 – 1999-2000
Druids were promoted to the League Of Wales in 1999 and have been there ever since and this is the story of our stay in the League Of Wales.
Our very first game in the League Of Wales was away to Inter Cardiff, the previous season’s runners-up. In what must (at the time) must have been classed as a big shock (remembering this was of course before Inter were forced to recruit players from neighbouring UWIC) Druids won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Phil Jones.We only gained one more victory before November 13th when we played Newtown at Plaskynaston. This date may not seem too remarkable to many people reading this article but this was my very first Druids match. I will tell you the short story of how I was introduced to the club. I must thank Rene Bruce-Pinard, arguably Druids star player at the time, as he worked at my school. One day we got chatting and one thing led to another, and eventually I decided to go to watch the match on the Saturday, mainly, at the time to watch Rene. Druids, then, were one from bottom in the league and desperately needed the win. Druids eventually won 2-1, with Bruce-Pinard scoring the winner. I have been hooked on Druids ever since. I’m even allowed to train with the team, which has helped me grow out some of the difficulties I was having at the time and this has given me great pleasure.
Anyway, more about our first L.O.W. season. We went on a superb run after Christmas winning 11 out of the last 17 matches of the season. Of the 11 we had impressive wins at Plaskynaston against Rhyl (January 21st), Cwmbran Town (1st April) , a side that included ex-Welsh international Mark Aizlewood and ex-Manchester United player Deiniol Graham, who has since become an avid critic of the L.O.W., and Llanelli (February 5th). The last game included a stunning solo effort from Huw Griffiths. Away from home we beat eventual league champions T.N.S. 3-0 on January 29th at the Treflan Recreational Ground with two goals from Bruce-Pinard and one from 16 year old, Craig Wilkinson, who made waves at L.O.W. level before joining Preston North End in late February. Craig, of course, is now back with Druids and might well have another chance at a higher level.
One unusual aspect of the season was the draws, only two. We had to wait until March 3rd and the 3-3 come from behind draw against Bangor City at Farrar Road, which we could have even won if Aled Rowlands had converted a penalty.
Eventually the Druids finished the season 13th with 41 points from 34 games and this was definitely a successful campaign as we had easily avoided the drop back down to the Cymru Alliance.
SEASON 2 – 2000 - 2001
With few changes to the squad except the departure of Ross Jeffries to Oswestry Town, and the signing of goalkeeper Daniel Holdcroft from Rocester, Druids embarked upon season 2000-01 with a lot of confidence and more expectation of a Premier Cup spot. Our first home match against Rhyl on August 18th was attended by our biggest crowd in the L.O.W (611) , including Joey Jones! Druids won 2-1 against the Rhyl side that included none other than Lee Trundle, who now plays for Wrexham and destroyed many L.O.W. defences in his time with the Lilywhites, didn’t score against us! Goals from Mark Rutter and Mike Davies won the day for Druids.
Another victory at Stebonheath against Llanelli gave us the perfect start to the season. Although we lost our next three league games against Carmarthen Town (3-4),
Newtown (1-2) and Port Talbot (1-2). This was cancelled out by an impressive win against T.N.S. at Plaskynaston on September 29th. One anecdote from this night was the story involving matchwinner Rene Bruce-Pinard and myself. Rene, in need of some boots for the night’s game went to several sports shops in and around Wrexham with my brother in-law and me before buying some. When he scored the winner I ran from my position next to the dug-out shouting “It’s the boots!”. Well, it must have been something because Rene made a great start to that season before a bad ankle injury in a game against Rhyl at Belle Vue in the second round of the Welsh Cup on October 14th saw him out for action for three months. In my opinion, he has sadly never been the same player again. Rene now plays for Llandudno Town in the Cymru Alliance.
At this stage of the season Druids gave a debut to Kevin Scott in the game against T.N.S. in a dead rubber in the Gilbert League Cup on October 6th. Scott had started the season in the now defunct Druids reserve team and had been scoring more goals than I have hot meals. So Gareth Powell gave him a chance in the first team and his faith paid off as Scott scored two goals that night in a 4-3 defeat and eventually he went on to become our leading scorer scoring 12 goals in the L.O.W. and impressing many people along the way with his pace, superb left foot and his ability to take long throw-ins, as good as a corner with Scott around.
On November 5th came our first home draw in the L.O.W. against Haverfordwest County. The match was played on a Sunday to avoid clashing with a Wrexham home match .One set back to the game being held on a Sunday was that manager Gareth Powell couldn’t attend due to his strong religious beliefs. The game ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw after goals from Scott, Frank Mottram and the ever dependable Mike Davies. On the subject of Frank Mottram, he came to Druids with rave reviews after his time with Bangor City and the fact that he was the league’s leading scorer in their championship winning season of 1994-95 . At Druids, however, he really disappointed. Granted he was coming back from an injury but he never fitted in at Druids, possibly due to his personality. He left the club after the game at the Weirglodd against Rhayader on Boxing Day with some supporters saying he was arrogant and others saying he was quiet and misunderstood.
As the season developed it looked a distinct possibility that the impossible could happen and Druids could reach the promised land of the F.A.W. Premier Cup. Two big wins in January against relegation-haunted opposition, firstly Llanelli (5-1) and then UWIC Inter Cardiff (6-2), in what must have been the one of the smallest ever atendances at an L.O.W. match as only 61 people turned up for the clash at Cardiff International Stadium. One interesting fact to have come from this game was that three players of the surname scored for Druids they were Mike Davies, Jay Davies and Andy Davies.
Three days after this game on January 30th came the biggest disaster possible and, of course, it had to come against our arch rivals Oswestry Town at Plaskynaston. It seemed that Druids were in control after 44 minutes leading 2-1. This prompted me to make a joke bet with James Hunter (then Oswestry, now Druids first team coach) saying I bet you £1000 that Druids win! Thank goodness it was only a joke as Druids found themselves 3-2 down at half-time against a side that now vouches for half the Druids team. The second half was a disaster! As Aled Rowlands had a penalty saved by Dave Blower and Oswestry’s three man attack destroyed our three man defence, eventually winning 7-3.
Things could only get better after that display and they did for the next three matches with victories over Port Talbot and Aberystwyth Town and a 3-3 draw at the Treflan Recreation Ground against T.N.S., in a match that witnessed Aled Rowlands see red and Druids spurn a 3-1 lead after 50 minutes. This saw us rise to sixth in the table but this didn’t last.
After a 3-1 defeat at Bangor City on February 23rd, Druids lost their next SEVEN games against Barry Town, Cwmbran Town (twice), Newtown, Caersws, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Afan Lido ending any crumb of a chance of the Premier Cup. However we beat Rhayader Town on April 16th, which saw a superb goal from Craig Wilkinson, in only his second game back at Druids after his spell at Preston. Yet again we finished 13th..
Sadly, Gareth Powell thought he could do no better and on the evening of 23rd May 2001 he phoned his players telling them of his decision to resign as manager and to make a clean break from football.
SEASON 3 – 2001- 2002
He was eventually replaced by ex-Rochdale and Leeds player Steve O’ Shaughnessy, who had just been unfairly dismissed from Oswestry Town, in many people’s eyes.
At this stage there were many changes in personnel at the club, including Huw Griffiths, who went to Bangor City, and Simon Richards, who briefly joined Unibond Premier side Colwyn Bay. The main players that came to the club were Ross Jeffries, his twin brother Brett and Dave Blower all from Oswestry Town, also Dave Cunnah arrived, after many years at Cymru Alliance side Lex XI.
The players who remained had to get used to the new set up, and at the new approach of Shaugh, compared to the more tactical approach of Gareth. Even now I refuse to compare Shaugh and Gareth as their approaches and personalities are so different and comparison would be unfair on both of them.
As Druids started our third season in the L.O.W. the aim was a mid-table finish added to a good cup run. All in all that aim was achieved as we are about to find out.
The season started with four consecutive defeats which saw us drop to the bottom of the table. This wasn’t a fair reflection on how we were playing, at home anyway, as we were pipped by Aberystwyth Town 2-1 on the opening day and lost out to a last minute winner to Lloyd Roberts of Connah’s Quay in the second home match in a game that could have easily have gone the other way. Druids weren’t bottom of the table long as on September 21st we took on Oswestry Town at Park Hall Stadium. We won the game 5-0 after two goals from Ross Jeffries, who at this stage of the season was the league’s leading scorer. The other goals were scored by Alan Williams, Richard Snell and an own goal by Hobson. This sealed what was, in many people’s opinions, Druids best ever performance. I know one thing it was the most satisfying performance as Shaugh showed “The Tractor Boys” what they were missing out on.
After this came an impressive win over Caersws at Plaskynaston and progression to the League Cup quarter-final for the first time, following another victory over Oswestry at Park Hall. Although at this stage struggling in the league after heavy defeats by Cwmbran Town , Carmarthen Town and Bangor City, the Welsh Cup was starting to become a welcome distraction after home victories over Cymru Alliance sides Llangefni-Glantraeth (6-2) and Ruthin Town (2-1) This last match was a very heated match, but Druids were into the last 16.
In December, Druids were playing well but, unfortunately, conceding late goals that cost them victory in three games against T.N.S., (a game that included two stunning strikes from Richard Snell), Newtown and Llanelli. The role was reversed in the 1-1 draw at Aberystwyth, as a late Snell goal earned Druids a point.
In the next month Druids could only play two matches. The 3-1 home defeat against a Tommy Mutton inspired Caernarfon Town and the League Cup quarter-final against T.N.S. on January 22nd.This saw Druids exit the competition 1-0 but not before we had Ross Jeffries sent-off and strong appeals for a penalty turned down. As February came Druids reached the quarter-final of the Welsh Cup after victory over Halkyn United at Plaskynaston and an unexpected 2-0 victory at Richmond Park against Carmarthen Town, after goals coming from the prolific Jeffries and Mike Davies.
Draws against Haverfordwest County and Caersws in early March saw Druids pull further away from the relegation mire. These two games were just a prelude to the tough looking Welsh Cup quarter-final against Cymru Alliance leaders Welshpool Town. After a few scares in the first half an hour, Druids pulled away for a comfortable 4-0 win in one of the performances of the season. A heavy 7-3 defeat at home to Bangor City side that included the prolific Marc Lloyd-Williams,(10 goals against Druids in two games) was followed by an impressive 2-1 away win over Rhyl. Rhyl was one of only two teams Druids did “the league double over”.
As Druids were sailing towards safety came the clubs most important match since 1904 against Bangor City at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium in the Welsh Cup semi-final on April 6th. If Druids won this game we would be playing European football. But like most fairy tales this one didn’t come true as Bangor won 5-0, thanks to a hat-trick from Marc Lloyd-Williams, taking his total in to 13 goals in three games against Druids last season.
Safety was secured, ironically, with a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Barry Town on April 13th.
THE SEASON SO FAR – 2002-03
During the close season refurbishment work took place at Plaskynaston as new perimeter boards were installed to tidy up the ground, much in need of a facelift, and all the advertising boards were moved across the ground to catch the attention of the T.V. cameras on their occasional visits.
Signings in the closed season included Joe and Danny Desormeaux from West Cheshire Premier Division side Christleton, the return of James Pierce from Cymru Alliance side Buckley Town and Ryan Jeffries, the older brother of Ross and Brett, joined from Gresford Athletic. Despite the departure of last season’s leading scorer Ross Jeffries to Colwyn Bay, hopes are high that Druids can mount a decent attempt at Premier Cup football.
Many thanks to Andrew for this article. If you would like to write a similar review for your club please feel free to send them in to - lofwwebmaster@yahoo.co.uk All articles will be included if suitable.