CPD Y Glannau play Barcelona side during weekend trip to remember in Spain

If you’re a football team and want to travel abroad to play a friendly game, you might as well take on someone like Barcelona!

That’s what North Wales club CPD Y Glannau did last weekend, although it wasn’t the likes of Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets or Robert Lewandowski they were facing.

The opposition was the more modest Sporting Club Barcelona, who play in a local league similar to Y Glannau, but nonetheless sunny Spain was still a glamorous location for the St Asaph-based tier 5 side to test their skills.

A 20-strong party from Y Glannau made a weekend of it in the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia.

The bonding trip had been arranged for some time, with the club requesting a free date on this weekend.

Their stay included a friendly match which Sporting Club Barcelona won 2-1 after the visitors had taken the lead through Chris McQuillen.

Arriving at the game with just four minutes to spare, a result of the previous night’s socialising, Y Glannau started really well considering they didn’t have time for a warm up, and notched an early goal.

Josh MacGillivray played the ball in, Corey T Williams got the flick on and McQuillen finished at the second attempt.

Sporting Club played the right way, always playing out from the back, using the wings well and moving the ball about very nicely.

They produced a dazzling move midway through the first half but were denied a goal after a stunning save from Brad Wright.

However, the hosts went into the break 2-1 up. Wright got a hand to the equaliser but just couldn’t quite keep it out, while the second goal was down to slack defending.

In the second half Y Glannau played very well, knocked the ball around with confidence, worked and pressed hard and just give it their all.

Against the run of play Sporting Club were awarded a penalty, but substitute goalkeeper Hayden Nicholls produced a great save.

Glannau had a lot of chances. MacGillivray’s lovely effort from distance almost catching their keeper off guard, Deio Jones headed against the corner of the bar, Zak Hughes, McQuillen, Aaron Dodwell and Joey Fontana also all went close, but it just wasn’t to be.

The visitors got let off late on twice with SCB missing a sitter, then Ged Burke with two moments of great defending, a tremendous last-ditch tackle and a brilliant block denying a sure goal.

The club said on their social media after the game: “Honestly what a fantastic experience. After the game both teams stayed behind for over 5/6 hours, drinking and having a great time and that’s what it was all about.

“We want to thank Sporting Club for a great weekend and wish them all the best in their respective league.

“For our lads it was all about making memories and enjoying it and we sure did.

“It’s been great to have Salmon (Ryan Jones) down from Dubai, class player and it was good for the lads to catch up with him.

“Back to training on Tuesday then back into our normal routine on Saturday as we travel to face Rhyl Dragons at Belle Vue.

“From all of the players at Glannau we just want to thank management for organising such a class trip. We all appreciate the hard work you all put in. As players we couldn’t ask for a better club to be at.”