2pm 10 July 2021
Welsh Cup, First Qualifying Round
Ruabon Rovers 2 Saltney Town 7
There's lot of talk of football 'coming home' at the moment. But whatever the outcome of the Euro 2020 final this was perhaps the moment football did come home. Welsh football at least.
The FA of Wales was formed in 1876 at the Wynnstay Arms pub in Ruabon. The pub still exists, and behind it is a recreation ground that, after a gap of fair few years, is once again home to a football club with the Ruabon name.
Ruabon Rovers, reviving a name that played in the Victorian era, were formed last summer. Covid, and the resulting season-long shutdown of Welsh football below the top level, meant a frustratingly long wait for competitive action.
The club kicked off their North East Wales League season last weekend, allowing at least some preparation for the visit of Saltney, two levels higher in Welsh football's new-look pyramid.
If football, and more specifically the Welsh Cup (on display pitch side ahead of kick off), was 'coming home' to Ruabon it was clear early on that it would be a fleeting visit. A devastating spell after around 20 minutes left Rovers trailing by four goals. Saltney added another before the break to lead 5-0.
The second period was much better for the hosts. They pulled a goal back early on and grew in confidence. The tie was beyond them, but drawing the half was a deserved reward for their efforts.
Ruabon Recreation Ground is a basic venue, as you'd expect for a public park that hasn't hosted regular football for years. The club was well organised for their big day though, part of the pitch was roped off and programmes were on sale.
The cup tie, and the revival of a Ruabon football club, seems to have captured the attention of the village. The crowd may be been boosted by groundhoppers from far and wide, but there were plenty of locals keen to see their team in action. There can't have been many Welsh Cup ties today that will have got close to the maximum crowd of 100 currently imposed by the FA of Wales.
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