After my trip to see Berwick Rangers, I was lucky enough to be able to be able to go to Llangollen Town FC to see them play.
Llangollen set in the valley of the river Dee is a town frequented by tourists for its picturesque setting, the Llangollen herritage railway, and the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire canal. The whole area is a UNESCO World Herritage Site, including the amazing Pontcysyllte Aquaduct.
The football pitch has a stunning backdrop, too, with hills and trees all around, just meters away from the water flowing in the valley floor. There was plenty of parking, with overflow cars parked on the adjacent field. Over 100 people had turned up on a glorious evening with the car registering 30 degrees with the blue sky interrupted by some high white ribbons of cloud.
The yellowing grass pitch sloped from side to side, and the uneven surface had not been helped by some previous mole activity.
There was a modern club house with changing rooms and spectators facilities, infront of which was a 2 tier covered seating area with some standing behind it
The pitch is surrounded by railings and a flat concrete path. There was a lot of chat and banter in both English and Welsh within the good crowd of about 100+. With only 5.3 miles by car between the clubs, it was a very local derby.
One of the ladies from the food kiosk came round with a tub and card machine during the game, suggesting a payment of £4 to watch the match and seemed to be getting a good response.
With an expansion of the top league in Wales at the end of the season, a good finnish by either of these two clubs could bring better chances of promotion.
Llangollen Town F.C 0 Cefn Albion 2
Tuesday 12th August 2025, Kick off 18.30 pm. Ardal North League, North East Division (Third tier of Welsh Football). 15th v 4th
Llangollen; Shirts red and blue vertical stripes with red shoulders and blue patch on the back. Blue shorts. Goalkeeper in all grey.
Cefn Albion; All white strip, shirts with blue shoulders. Goalkeeper in all lime green.
Albion were on top in the 1st 15 minutes with some tasty tackles on the hard ground.
The temperature had not dropped and the teams came off for a quick drinks break on 23 minutes.
Within 2 minutes of the re-start a Llangollen defender handled a shot on goal. Albion’s number 6 hit it hard into the top right of the net to give them a 1 nil lead.
Llangollen were being continually pegged back and their rearguard play looked solid. The Llangollen goalkeeper was also called on to make some good saves.
Play was interrupted with balls being lost in the adjacent trees and bushes.
But just on half-time a long ball to Albions number 6, was controlled, steadied, and slipped along the ground, beating goalkeeper, for a forward to tap in. If not for that goal Llangollen could still have been in it as the referee immediately blew for the break.
During half-time an impromptu game between 20 or so lads,at one end kept some of the crowd amused.
Llangollen came more into the game as the second half started with play being very even. Another drinks break was needed halfway through the 45 minutes, after which Cefn made various changes and but for the home teams goalkeeper, would have added to their tally.
The defeat for Llangollen sent them to the foot of the league table whilst Cefn Albion moved up to second.
This was a beautiful evening for football, appreciated by all spectators, but hard work for the players in the heat. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the efforts put in by Llangollen for the spectators. It’s going to be a long, hard season for them, though.
Luckily, there were some chips in the clubhouse, which was spacious and manned by two happy women. One of which collected the 4 pounds from the fans. What would clubs do without such helpers.
While in the area, I also visited the Cambrian Herritage Railway at Oswestry. A well run little railway which had an engine with reference to football.
Alun Evans was a key player for Liverpool and Villa in the 1970’s and scored 130 goals in his senior career in both England and Australia.
payonthegate 