RUTHIN TOWN 0

BUCKLEY TOWN 1

IN sport, as in life, it is sometimes the case where you simply do not perform to your best.

It’s true that Ruthin had at least four potential starters sidelined for the Huws Gray Alliance clash at home to Buckley Town, but the squad is such these days that it was still a good team that team boiss Chris Williams sent out on Saturday.

It’s a credit to Williams, the rest of the management team and to the players that expectations are that much higher these days, and sometimes it is easy to forget how difficult the league is.

Buckley are a good side and they gave Ruthin a very good game at the Globe earlier in the season, where the visitors did well to get a point.

Buckley were also in good form on Saturday.

They dominated most of the possession in the first half without creating too many chances, while they limited Ruthin and stopped the home side's usual creativity.

These types of games are often decided on small margins and this was the case when Buckley pressure resulted in a corner five minutes into the second half.

Aled Bellis sent the ball to the far post, where Luke Blizard side-footed it towards goal.

Ruthin number one Ryan Goldston was able to parry this shot, but Blizard followed up to bundle the ball over the line.

While it was a scrappy goal, it was one that Buckley deserved.

The away Town also had a penalty shout when the ball popped up and hit Dafydd Evans’ outstretched hand, but the referee had seen an infringement just before.

Ruthin tried to get a foothold in the game and they introduced Wil Owen, then Llyr Morris and finally Tom Watkin-Jones into the proceedings to play with two strikers.

However, Buckley were still able to push Ruthin onto the back foot. Ryan Goldston put in another good performance as Buckley saw out the game to take the three points back over the mountains.

When a squad is being utilised to its full, it is not always easy to keep producing to the highest level, but a word should go to Kevin Evans.

He was struggling with his groin before the game and was visibly suffering during the contest.

Evans continued to battle on and he gave an excellent display at the back.

His partner was 19-year-old Dafydd Evans, who was playing only his third game at centre back and he also had a good game.