Player Profile: Steve Boydell
August 30th, 2012 // Player Profiles,Team News // Richard Boydell
Steve Boydell
Steve was approached initially by Vaders Secretary, Rob, to come and coach the Vaders due to his huge experience (old) and reputation. A little apprehensive at first but once he came and watched one training session he was soon a devoted Vader and helped immensely as coach.
After taking charge of team duties along with Rob during season 1 he decided to concentrate more on playing at the start of season 2 and left the headache of picking the team to Rob. This proved a good decision as he rolled back the years to earn several Man of the Match awards during the season as well as scoring some crucial goals (when the other team weren’t ‘cheating’).
Comfortable on the ball in any situation with no real weakness, Steve is the loudest voice on the pitch (has a great scream, but not quite as good as Titch’s) and helps others as much as he can. Can be open to more criticism from the boys when he messes up due to his standing, but can be a priceless member of the team in certain situations. Re-taken up team selection duties this season, remains to be seen how long he’ll stay that side of the touchline, although made a great start with team selection and a big win in first game of season 3.
Quick-fire Questions
Favourite position?
Manager
Favourite Vaders moment?
Signing for the 2nd biggest club in Europe, Garth Vader of course.
Worst Vaders moment?
Being knocked unconscious and spending the afternoon having my head sewn back together in POW.
Player Profile: Robert Boydell
August 30th, 2012 // Player Profiles,Team News // Richard Boydell
Robert Boydell
Vaders secretary, coach, player and everything in-between, Rob has put more effort into the club than anyone else. He organises training, team gatherings and match days and supplies everything needed by the League Committee and SWFA.
Often sacrificing a place in the team for himself, he should maybe play a little more as one of only 2 left footers in the squad. He’s had some inconsistent performances (by his own admission) which are mainly down to cameo roles and lack of minutes, but has shown as much effort on the field as he does off it. When he plays his left foot can be invaluable in some games as he can get in crosses from the left flank that nobody else in the squad can (a weakness of the Vaders). When playing, this has added to his frustration of all the ball being played down the right.
A good left foot, decent skill and faster than Blackie, he’ll be looking for some more minutes on the pitch this season before his age defies him. He may get it with Steve taking up team selection duties. And he deserves it.
Quick-fire Questions
Favourite position?
Left wing
Favourite Vaders moment?
The amazing support shown by the team and their families on the charity day for my daughter.
Worst Vaders moment?
Having to pick the team for the cup final, hardest decisions I’ve had to make.
Player Profile: Liam Barry
August 29th, 2012 // Player Profiles,Team News // Richard Boydell
Liam Barry
Liam only joined the Vaders mid-way through season 2 but once he got his opportunity to play he kept his place in the team all the way through to the Cup Final.
Towards the end of the season he became the Vaders ‘goals’ from midfield, scoring a memorable strike in the Cup semi-final against the Lamb & Flag. What he lacks in speed he makes up in effort and tenacity and he put in some key performances in the big games at the end of season 2.
Good in the air, fearless in the tackle and ready to put his body on the line for the full 90 minutes, he is a massive pain in the arse for opponents (and teammates most of the time) and makes it even worse with his wind-up antics on the field. He’ll be looking to keep his place in centre midfield despite competition for places hotting up at the start of season 3. Oh, and he’s not 40.
Quick-fire Questions
Favourite position?
Centre Midfield
Favourite Vaders moment?
Scoring the 40 yard wonder goal against Lamb & Flag Rangers in the cup semi final.
Worst Vaders moment?
The cup final and pouting with Steve.
Player Profile: Gareth Blackwell
August 28th, 2012 // Player Profiles,Team News // Richard Boydell
Gareth Blackwell
As third choice striker behind the free-scoring Ieuan Morris and Matthew James, Blackie hasn’t had as many minutes on the pitch as he would have liked and maybe his commitment deserves. However, he picked up Clubman of the year award for 2011/12 and reviles in the knowledge he scored the Vaders first competitive goal.
A few pounds lost and some mobility added would be a good idea and he could be pushing for a solid 20mins a game and a few more goals. We will hopefully not see another penalty from him though after 2 weak efforts in cup shootouts.
Good skill on the ball and a knack for pulling the unexpected (sometimes untried), he can sometimes provide the final touch needed when the Vaders are chasing the game in the last 15. Blackie will hope for more game time than last season, but has his work cut-out with the impressive strikers currently in front of him and the addition of Robbie Walters to the squad.
Quick-fire Questions
Favourite position?
Striker
Favourite Vaders moment?
Opening 20 minutes against Railway Rhinos where we went 3-0 up and I was involved in all 3 goals. Went off injured, we won 3-1.
Worst Vaders moment?
Losing the Cup Final to the Red Cow
Garth Vader FC (4) vs (2) Coedely
August 28th, 2012 // Match Reports,Team News // Robert Boydell
Match stats:
Matthew James
Liam Barry (Pen)
Robbie Walters
Matthew James
Stephen Gould
So into season 3 The Vaders go, and with a cup final and promotion from the previous season the team are ambitious and full of confidence.
This confidence showed in a competitive yet seemingly easy win over last years premiership champions Coedely.
No doubt Coedely were the favourites having breezed the premier division in 2011/12, and having previously beaten The Vaders 6-1 in a pre-season friendly when the Vaders were formed in 2010/11.
This confidence was soon to be seen as a missed header in midfield saw the ball bounce to one of the Coedely forwards and The Vaders had to watch as he slotted it past Cookie and onto the unfortunate sliding boot of defender Allan Thomas, who turned it into his own net.
The Vaders though immediately re-grouped and within 4 minutes were level courtesy of a lovely effort from Titch.
The remainder of the first half was then a hard fought midfield battle with Coedely seeing very little in the way of chances, and the ones they did have were hit so far out of the field the balls are more than likely up in Croeserw. The Vaders dominated in every area of the park and were creating some chances. One paid off as a ball was put through for Robbie Walters to go one on one with the keeper. The defender determined to catch Robbie had very little choice but to bring him down. Narrowly avoiding a red card, somehow he got away with a yellow. Step up the oldest midfield maestro in the Bridgend League Liam Barry, not the best penalty we’ve seen him take, but it was a goal and that’s all that mattered.
So The Vaders went into the break 2-1 up, and full of confidence that this bunch of whingers could be beaten if the effort could be maintained.
Soon after the re-start The Vaders pushed for more goals, and within 10 minutes a cross ball from Matthew James to Robbie Walters who controlled the ball and shot from what seemed an impossible angle only to find the ball beyond the keeper and smashing the back of the net. 3-1 to The Vaders.
Shortly after Centre half/sweeper Christian Powys had to come off with an injury to his ankle. Loosing his height and the third leg he uses to clear the ball from time to time would no doubt cause some problems for the team. Right back Allan “Cwtch” (no longer “Captain Cwtch”) Thomas was moved to CB and Tom Evans came on for Powys and went into RB with a look of determination and a readiness to smash some skulls.
Within 2 minutes the change caused issues with Coedely playing a ball through the centre and finishing in the top left corner of Cookies goal.
Disappointing, but The Vaders didn’t let their heads go down and cracked on, and began crafting some more chances. Balls were coming in from Ieuan Morris and Richard Boydell on the flanks, and breaks were even being constructed at the back by CB Scott Sainsbury and LB Gareth “Gwmba” Hanbury.
It wasn’t long before Titch was put in on goal and finished from 20 yards, putting The Vaders 4-2 up with around 10 to go. It should have been 5 when Ieuan Morris gambled off a defensive error, skinned the defender and made the keeper look a tool when he sold him a dummy, enough to make room for an easy goal. Seeing Robbie Walters directly across he unselfishly passed the ball only for Robbie to put the ball somehow over the bar. Who knows how he managed to get that much lift on the ball from that little distance.
Cameo appearances from Rob Boydell, Gareth Blackwell and new boy Morgan Evans helped rest some tired legs in midfield and up front and the Vaders saw the 90 minutes out to win 4-2. A fantastic start from the Vaders, and a performance reminiscent of beating the Roid Cow at home last season.
The Bush next week, let’s hope The Vaders can play the same style of football and boss the game like they did in this one.
Man of the Match: Gareth Hanbury
Cock of the Week: Allan Thomas (own goal)
Quote of the Day: Rob Boydell: I’m glad he didn’t send him off, it would have spoilt the game
