Druids haven't Finnish-ed yet in Euro excursion

Published date: 06 July 2012 |
Published by: Tom Norris
Read more articles by Tom Norris


Cefn Druids take on Finnish outfit Mypa-47 at The Racecourse last night 

Cefn Druids take on Finnish outfit Mypa-47 at The Racecourse last night 

Cefn Druids take on Finnish outfit Mypa-47 at The Racecourse last night 

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Will the last one out turn off the lights?

The Finnish tourist board better be ready for a Cefn invasion following Druids gritty goalless draw last night.

Full of character and composure, Druids more than matched their more illustrious visitors, and with better fortune they could be making the trip to Scandinavia with an advantage.

George Hughes will have sleepless nights wondering what might have been had he placed his header two inches to the right, while Kieran Quinn volleyed wide from seven yards.

To a man they Druids' players did their team, fans and manager proud, holding MyPa at arms length for the entire 90 minutes.

MyPa had the majority of possession, as one would expect, but they did very little with it as Druids forced them into wide areas on numerous occasions.

The game began like a chess match with both sides keen to work one another out, Druids happy for MyPa to pass the ball around in their own half.

The Finnish outfit were able to work the ball nicely into the home side's final third, but once the ball neared Chris Mullock's goal any move broke down due to a mixture of solid Druids defending and poor decision making by MyPa.

Instead, it was Druids who looked the more dangerous on the break, Josh Dures denied a header from Mike Burke's left wing cross by goalkeeper Antti Kuismala's desperate catch.

Xhevdet Gela and David Ramadingaye tried shots from distance as MyPa tried to increase the tempo, although this played into Druids' hands.

The home side stole the ball inside their own third before springing a counter-attack that came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

Lone striker Steve Jones held the ball up inside his own half before setting Rees Darlington free down the left, his ball into the box was met superbly by captain George Hughes who saw his header cannon off the upright, Jones denied a simple tap-in by some last ditch defending.

MyPa responded with Ville Saxman twice trying his luck, the first strike forcing Mullock into a neat save with his feat and the second effort flying harmlessly over the top of the crossbar.

Corners were looking like MyPa's best goalscoring avenue, Niko Kukka's vicious delivery with the half drawing to a close cleared off the line by defender Adam Hesp.

Moments later another Kukka delivery looked sure to be met by the outstretched leg of Saxman, but the ball somehow failed to make contact and Druids were left off the hook.

It was a case of so far so good as the referee blew for half-time, especially with Jones' free-kick forcing Kuismala into a save in what was the last action of the first 45 minutes.

The game settled into a familiar pattern after the interval, MyPa having the bulk of the possession and territory but Druids looking dangerous on the counter.

A superb piece of play from Burke allowed Mark Harris to free his defensive shackles, and once the full-back had reached the edge of the MyPa penalty area he forced Kuismala into a fine save.

The resulting corner could have amounted to something but Dures and Hesp got in each others way and the ball was hacked clear.

MyPa seemed reluctant to put the ball into Mullock's area, which was strange given that it looked the most likely way of opening the scoring.

A whipped cross from the increasingly involved Ville Oksanen was destined for the boot of Riley O'Neill before Gareth Edwards did enough to prevent a clean strike.

At the other end, Jones set Harris free but rather than cross or shoot, the 25-year-old dawdled on the ball and lost possession from which Ramadingaye fired a warning shot over Mullock's bar on the break.

Druids were expected to tire but there was no obvious signs of fatigue except for Jones bout of cramp, and it was the home side who once again threatened to score.

A panicked clearance from MyPa's Lody handed Hesp the chance to launch another missile into the visitors' box and with Kuismala only able to help the ball on to Quinn who sent a vicious volley wide of the left upright.

With time running out, Druids had to decided whether to stick or twist as they won a throw deep inside the MyPa half, unfortunately for Huw Griffiths' men the ball ended in the arms of Kuismala.

MyPa sent the ball forward for one last time, but Druids had done their job, the 800-strong crowd erupting with delight as Dabanovic blew for full-time.

It will take some time for the achievement to sink in for the players who will remember the occasion for years to come.

n It also finished goal-less at Bangor City where Nev Powell’s side were held at home by Zimbru Chisinau.

Making their debuts for City in the tie were former Chester duo Chris Simm and Liam Brownhill.

Llanelli fought back from going two goals down to keep alive their hopes of progression against KuPS.

They eventually went down 2-1 thanks to Jason Bowen. And boss Andy Legg will be confident his team can turn it around at home leg next week.

Where the match was won and lost

Cefn Druids (5-4-1): Mullock 7; Harris 8, Hesp 8, James 8, G Edwards 8, Darlington 7; Dures 8 (Price 74 7), Hughes 7, Quinn 7, Burke 7 (Duckett 89); Jones 9 (Cann 80). Subs Not Used: Ackerley, Griffiths, McElmeel, J Edwards.

MyPa (4-3-3): Kuismala 7; Koskinen 7, Lody 6, Aho 6 (Vuorinen 37 6), Vesala 7; Gela 8, Ramadingaye 7, Saxman 7 (O'Shaughnessy 78); Oksanen 7, Kukka 6 (Sihvola 62 6), O'Neill 6. Subs Not Used: Iiskola, Soiri, Anttilainen.

Referee: Nikola Dabanovic (Montenegro).

Attendance: 813

Man of the Match: Steve Jones – Provided the perfect outlet for Druids with his impressive hold-up play and neat flicks.

Magic Moment: George Hughes was inches away from making a name for himself, his header glancing off the upright.

Moan of the Match: It was a shame that not more local football fans had turned out to see Druids.

 

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