S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

[Kowalski]

Sit down to watch the Welsh Cup semi-final between Llanelli and Rhyl and then marvel at Rhyl's pub team aesthetic; the flailing elbows of Mr. Lee Hunt, the scything fouls of their defence, the cultured hoofing into the corners.

1.10PM S4C

Enjoy!!!

[Jorge Porbillas]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Shocking defending by Rhyl and Corbisiero puts the Sosban ahead after just 6 minutes.

Kowalski, wouldn't you prefer a Rhyl v Bangor final?

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

From the point of view of beating them in the final yes. From the possibility of qualifying for Europe, I'd prefer to play Llanelli as they'll probably have won the League, we won't even have to win the game.

Having said that I'm not presuming we're already in the final, we haven't won our semi yet. Newtown's lovely in the rain by the way

[rick derris]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

did you do the double header of the match and the laura ashley museum?

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

The only double header I managed was a couple of pints in the clubhouse, the game was called off due to the inclement weather.

Next week though I will give it some serious thought, we're going back for a second try.

[Jorge Porbillas]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

A fantastic strike by Rhys Griffiths puts the Sosban back in front after Lee Hunt had brought Rhyl level seconds before half time.

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

You mean European Golden Boot contender Rhys Griffith.

[Jorge Porbillas]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Mark Pritchard nets a third for Llanelli

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

If one were to look at the flags the Rhyl fans have in front of them, a couple of Free Wales Army ones and a few dragons, one would assume that it's a hotbed of Welsh Nationalism when in fact it's one bloke that brings them.

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Rhyl make it 3-2. Goalkeeper Lee Kendell taunts Llanelli's fans by indicating score with fingers, in the manner of Steve McMahon at the end of Championship decider in may 1989. A minute later he concedes a penalty by bringing down a Llanelli player in the area, what a tool. Llanelli 4 Rhyl 2

[rick derris]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

WHO IS THE GUY WITH THE CIGAR?

[rick derris]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Lee kendall used to play for haverfordwest

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Which guy?

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2

[rick derris]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

the guy on the sideline smoking the HUGE cigar

[Jorge Porbillas]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

rick derris wrote:

the guy on the sideline smoking the HUGE cigar

Llaneli chairman, Nitin Parekh

[Kowalski]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Llanelli through to final

[Aldo Simoncini]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Damn, wanted Rhyl in the final, Llanelli won't bring more than 100 fans. Also, seems we've waved goodbye to another Racecourse ground final, will be at Newtown or Aber now, most probably.

Means we're in the UEFA Cup if we beat YMCA next week. Got tickets for Spurs Blackburn, so thinking of getting rid of those to go to the Semi. I'd got as far as Oswestry yesterday before the Radio told me the game was off.

[mirko bolesan]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Hmmmm..

http://www.welsh-premier.com/news.php?ID=6575

BARRY WANT RETURN TO ELITE

SEVEN-times champions Barry Town view the league's proposal to split into two divisions as an opportunity to regain their top flight status.
Existing clubs are already facing difficulties in meeting the stricter UEFA licencing criteria which come into force for the domestic season in 2009/10.
The FAW predicts only six clubs will achieve the standard this year at the appeals stage and Barry reckon their stadium, facilities and expanding youth development put the club among Welsh football's elite.
"The Premiership needs to set higher standards to attract the respect of the public and the UEFA regulations are a great opportunity for the Premiership to finally insist on the best for Wales' top flight league," says Barry chairman Stuart Lovering, whose club are on the brink of promotion from Welsh League Division 2.
"It also needs to focus on those clubs in the biggest populations capable of supporting big crowds. "The Premiership should ensure that Cardiff, Swansea and Newport all have Premiership teams based at attractive stadiums.
"A Cardiff United team based at Leckwith, a Newport City or United based at Spytty Park and a Swansea United team playing in a quality stadium are crucial to the Premiership's future - even if it means promoting them from lower divisions, renaming or merging teams or starting new teams under the management of the area's football development officer."
Lovering also echoed comments by ex-TNS boss Ken McKenna about the standard of Welsh Premier pitches.
"All pitches must meet strict quality criteria as to the playing surface - you can't play decent football on park pitches.
"You need a smooth surface to allow for a fast quality passing game. All Premiership teams should sooner or later play on FIFA 2 third generation technology pitches which could also be used for the first team and Academy teams to train on."
Lovering adds that the FAW should provide financial backing for the "elite" clubs with a minimum of £20,000 - £30,000 each year depending on their finishing position.
"These 6-10 clubs would also have to be safeguarded from relegation except to any other club that meets these higher standards - and only if all 10 Premiership clubs meet the higher criteria. "The BBC and other media would be far more interested in a Premiership where Welsh football is played on excellent pitches, in modern stadiums in front of big crowds between clubs that represent the largest populations in Wales. The Premiership must recognise and accept that it is television, above all, that can bring in the money to sustain and improve the Premiership.
"I would hope that Barry Town would be invited to join the top Premiership from the beginning, wherever we finish in Division 1 next season and provided we are promoted this year).
"Other clubs just spend money on their teams but I have invested over £60,000 on improving the club for the medium to long term benefit," added Lovering.
9 April 2008

[Aldo Simoncini]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

He's got some radical and innovative ideas, something that's sorely lacking in Welsh Football really. But it's bollocks really isn't it?

[My Name Is Ian]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

Well, it's that word again, isn't it?

Franchising.

[Aldo Simoncini]

S4C brings you "Grand Slam Sunday 2"

http://www.welsh-premier.com/news.php?ID=6590 The League has voted to reduce the League to 10 clubs, and establish a 'second division' of 10 clubs.