Bridge Meadow looks a real picture

The playing surface at the Bridge Meadow Stadium was in perfect condition for the visit of Cardiff Met, despite lots of rain – and that was down to the yeoman efforts of groundsman Kevin Haldane and his trusty side-kick Alan Thomas.

Kevin spent long hours tending the turf but was quick to sing the praises of his pal, who had been at the ground every day in the week before, because Alan is a real worker for the club and typifies the work of a number of hard workers on the day, with Alan, Eddie Bunston, Alan Adams, Tony Jones and Barrie Webb as the oldest, but keenest ball boys, the club has ever known!




 

Alaric was deserved Man of the Match

Alaric Jones has worked very hard to overcome niggling injuries and was immaculate in this game in his role as centre back alongside Scott Tancock and Nicky Watts, who also came close to taking our nomination.

Full backs Daniel Summerfield and Cameron Keetch completed a redoubtable back five and behind them keeper Wojciech Gajda had what Fraser Watson and I thought was his best performance between the sticks!

Well done Dean and Co

It is always nice to be able to sing the praises of the match officials and on this occasion it was veteran ref Dean John who took the plaudits for a quiet but decisive approach that kept the game flowing.

For Dean, who hails from Cwmbwrla, Swansea, it was his first time in the middle since the lock down and he had James Shiels and Connor Thomas, with Ryan Kenny as fourth official.

Well done boys – and enjoy the rest of the season!




 

Dan shows how to take spot kicks

If top players wanted proof of how to tale penalties then they need look no further than the match-winner  after 42 minutes that helped secure the vital three points for The Bluebirds.

Danny Williams was hauled down in the box, picked himself up and planted a screamer into the top right corner to totally send Met keeper William Fuller the wrong way!


 

Wayne clearly delighted with vital victory. . .

When Fraser Watson and I interviewed Wayne Jones for our show on ‘Pure West Radio’ he was obviously thrilled with the rest but still analytical and looking forward to the challenges posed by Aberystwyth (Tuesday) and New Saints (Saturday) – and for us he’s the best manager we gave come across because he is always available, win or lose, and also enjoys a bit of fun. So thanks ‘Wolvesey’ – and keep up the good work.



 

. . . And Christian has class as well 

Fellow manager Christian Edwards is obviously in the same mould because after talking to ‘Sgorio’ he came straight over to Fraser Watson and me for a chat. He was clearly disappointed that his young charges lost but was quick to praise Haverfordwest County and answered every question with total honesty.

Even when I called him Christian Richards instead of Christian Edwards he didn’t pull me up but carried on with a quiet assurance. So thank you too, Christian – you would always be welcome back as far as we are concerned!



 

Nice to chat to a born scorer and born goal preventer!

It was nice to chat before the match to Jack Wilson and Sean Pemberton, who represent the talent of youthful local players and the total commitment of someone, who at 35 years of age, leads the team by example.

Jack is out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in the friendly at Barry Town and his proven knack of grabbing vital goals will be missed, and Sean was giving his old knees a bit of a rest before the next two big challenges, although he did have five minutes at the end so he could collect his win bonus!
Totally different in most ways they share a commitment to The Bluebirds which typifies the whole squad’s approach and is why they are doing so well at the moment!



 

Hard work for administrative staff . . .

Praise also needs to be given to The Bluebirds’ backroom staff because with so many technical matters needing to be arranged in the pandemic, especially with regard to health and safety, they are refusing to let their relative newness get in the way.

Julie Le Grice had a big pair of shoes to fill when she took over from Barry Vaughan but has dealt with all the directives passed through by the FAW, organisation of matches and a multitude of other matters whilst working from home – and she really has proved to be an asset to the club.

Jordan Griffiths was appointed this season as  media officer and his tweets have received an amazing million hits all over the world, especially in countries like Poland, India and the USA – and we have to say that with regard to the local press he could not have been more pleasant and helpful.

So to Julie and Jordan we say a huge thank you!




 

. . . And new coaching staff has fitted in so well!

Also worthy of praise are the relatively new assistant coach Mark Murison and fitness guru David Le Grace, the husband of the afore-mentioned Julie.

It is a pleasure to see the way they take charge of the lengthy warm-up sessions, alongside old timer Micky Ellis and goalkeeping coach James Devonald. Throw in physio Ben Ventura and medical officer Richard Thompson – and The Bluebirds now have a super-strong backroom staff!