BRECON Corries hosted Pontlottyn on Bank Holiday Sunday in a fixture organised by the South Wales Alliance league to accommodate the UK Groundhoppers.
The Groundhoppers are an organisation who literally ‘ground hop’ all over the country visiting the footballing tiered pyramid. Over the Bank Holiday weekend they attended 11 matches over four days, one of which was Corries’ first league fixture of the season. Having organised a bar, food supplied by Morgans Family Butchers, Brecon, and an army of helpers, the scene was set.
The match attracted a gate of more than 250 people and was kindly sponsored by SEER Construction LTD. Pontlottyn are a decent outfit and we knew that the game would be hard fought but off the back of a few disappointing results against Penydarren BGC and Merthyr Saints away the boys were up for it. Manager Damien Daniels said: “Today is a great occasion with some fans travelling from as far way from Eastbourne. Some of our squad will never have played with such a large crowd so the platform is set for them to look their teammates in the eyes before the game and leave nothing on the field of play. A win is what this club demands given the effort the club has put into today’s hospitality, the continued support of sponsors and supporters and, from my side of the house, the effort shown during pre-season and the early stages of this campaign.”
In a well contested 1st half the Corries edged possession and play and should have been a goal or two to the good but it was the second half where the fitness of the home team paid dividends. Goals from Jack Bain and Craig Jones saw the Corries win 2-0 and secure all 3 points.
“There’s nothing more pleasing than seeing the Corries win at home in front of a bumper crowd and keeping a clean sheet in the process. Games and events like this don’t just happen. I’d like to thank all of the volunteers for making this occasion the success it was, the groundsmen Bob and Malcolm for the condition of the playing surface, SEER Construction LTD, the loyal supporters and the players and coaching staff. We’ve now got some hard work to do off the field to ensure the long-term future of Brecon Corries AFC with the construction of our own clubhouse on site.” (Barry Jones – Assistant Vice Chairman, Secretary and Club Treasurer)
Recent results have seen Brecon Corries beat Blaenrhondda 3-4 away in Q1 of the JD Welsh Cup. Q2 rounds are next week with the Corries welcoming local rivals Penydarren BGC to the Rich Field on September 9.
Recent rule changes will also take effect from the weekend where teams will be able to field five substitutions in all league games and WJ Owen league cup.
In other news, the Corries would like to wish Brian Keddle all the best as he takes his trade to Brecon Northcote having decided to go and play for them. His talents on the field will be missed having scored countless goals in the years he has represented the club.