The opening league fixture of 2009 /10 at our nearest neighbours unfortunately didnt go to plan although the 3-0 scoreline was probably a little flattering to the hosts .
Preparation for the game wasnt ideal with the loss from Saturday of Keeper James Cairns and Skipper Richie Shier through suspension , Carl Baugh through work commitments and the late withdrawal of Mike Vaux . The positives were Mike Binning passed a late fitness test and Llanwern could welcome back Matt Currie ,Steve Perszewski , Ashley Sully and Danny Penn who were unavailable last weekend .
The game was played in bright sunshine and as was expected at a quick tempo with both sides looking to get the ball forward at the earliest opportunity . A few half chances at either end didnt test either keeper but it was the home side who took the lead in the 26th minute when a loose bouncing ball was picked up in the Ym midfield shifted early to the front man whos shot from 15 yards nestled in the bottom corner as Chris Hart could only get a glove on it . Llanwern should have been level on 36 minutes when a break from a YM attack left a 3 on 1 situation but midfielder Luke Palmer chose to shoot straight at the keeper when Power and Currie were suare of him . Mike Aviss then did well to work his way into the box but as he was about to pull the trigger from 10 yards a superb tackle came in from YM skipper Pardue . It was 2-0 right on the stroke of Half Time when a speculative shot from 25 yards hit defender Spiteri on the legs and sent the already diving Hart the wrong way .

HT 2-0

With a slight tactical change Llanwern started and ended the game in the ascendancy freeing Matt Currie on the left to create chances and delivers decent crosses , The game was being played predominantly in the Ym half but Perszewski snatched at a volley and a great header from a corner hit a defender on the back of the head as it was heading for the top corner , half chances were being created without the killer touch and troubling of the YM keeper . Matt Pimm , Nick Aherne and Danny Penn all came on to add to the attacking line up and add fresh legs and it was Pimm who nearly scored but his 20 yard drive screamed over the crossbar when he possibly should have hit the target .
Keepr Hart was a virtual spectator but for one strong right handed save pushed around the post on 79 minutes .
As is the norm with the beautifil game for all the pressure it was Llanwern who conceded the next and final goal , as they pushed and prodded Ym broke and a fine finish from the right side of the box made it 3-0 on 88 minutes

FT 3-0

The game was played in a good spirit and referreed superbly by Steve williams , both sides were only interested in playing football which was a credit .
As stated 3-0 was a little flattering at FT but Llanwern now have to pick themselves up for another 3 local derbies in the space of 10 days and hope to get a few absentees back ASAP and get a settled look to the squad and look to get the right blend in the starting eleven .

Remember there are 33 games to go !!!!!