There was little success in Europe for Welsh sides this season. Haverfordwest’s dramatic win against KF Shkendija in the Europa Conference Leage was a bright spot in quite disappointing campaigns for all involved. As the season has progressed, memories of European nights have been put into the background in the Cymru Premier but one side in Wales is still competing in Europe and it may not be who you think.

Llantwit Major, of the Cymru South, are competing in the Fenix Trophy, a European competition for semi-professional and amateur clubs across Europe with a unique focus of hospitality, community and sustainability. The competition, which is recognised by UEFA, was set up in 2021 by Italian non-league side Brera Calcio. Since then, amateur and semi-professional clubs from across Europe have been invited to compete in being crowned champions of European amateur football.  Llantwit Major’s group in the competition include the English side Enfield Town and the Danish team BK Skjold and the side from South Wales hosted the Danes in their first foray in the continental competition.

BK Skjold, a club based in Copenhagen, in the shadows of the grand Parken stadium, play in the Danish fifth division. They were founded in 1915, and are the current holders of the Fenix Trophy after beating Prague Raptors at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium last year.

Before a ball was even kicked the crowd were treated to a rendition of the Champion’s League theme song, a sly nod at the differences between modern football and the grassroots ethos of the Fenix trophy. Both the Danish and Welsh national anthems followed shortly afterwards.

The match almost looked like Boca Juniors versus Feyenoord with Llantwit Major in their classic looking blue and yellow kit and Skjold in their red and white shirts with black shorts and socks. But Llantwit Major’s charming Windmill Lane ground hosted no superstars. Instead, the match was a perfect advertisement for amateur football.

The side from South Wales came out of the gates very strongly and had a couple of clear-cut chances very early on. Their forwards, Woodington in the number 9 shirt and Kimmins who wore number 10 both looked to put the Danes on the back foot as early as possible.

On 36 minutes, Llantwit Major’s right back Jamie Miller was sent off for a challenge on a Skjold player, leaving the home side with only 10 men for the rest of the match. With their one-man advantage, Skjold ramped up the pressure at the end of the first half with several chances but none that troubled ‘keeper Jack Lansdown too badly.

Over half-time, while many of the 742 in attendance retreated to the clubhouse for some refreshments the conditions worsened. In the first 45 minutes the grey, cloud-filled sky held its nerve just about, but for the second half the heavens opened, and the rain made pitch conditions more treacherous.

Both sides began to struggle to to cope with the conditions of the pitch, but BK Skjold managed to start the second half strongly and create several chances. The physical battle in the midfield proved important and Skjold were able to push forwards several times.

Despite this, it was on 55 minutes that the underdogs made their own piece of history and broke the deadlock. Llantwit Major’s number 10, the diminutive Matty Kimmins, capitalised on a defensive error from one of Skjold’s centre halves, controlled the ball on the right-hand side of the box and with his second touch, smashed the ball across the face of goal and into the left-hand side of the net.

Skjold pushed for an equaliser and had several chances to get back on level terms but were denied by Lansdown in goal, his most spectacular save came on 83 minutes when he was able to get down quickly on his right and palm an effort off the line.

Ten-man Llantwit Major were able to hold on to their slim lead and came out victorious against the holders to record their first ever win in a European competition. It wasn’t a Champions League game, there was little fanfare or praise but that doesn’t make the game any less special. It was a match, much like the Fenix Trophy as a whole, that embraced the joys of grassroots football. Two community clubs, from wholly disparate places came together on a cut-up pitch in South Wales in a celebration of the beautiful game.

 In the rain and under the clouds, ten-man Llantwit Major pulled off a hard-earned win against the holding Champions and recorded their first ever victory in a European competition. They still have to face Enfield home and away and make the trip over to Copenhagen to face Skjold again in the group stage but if results go their way, European glory is not too far off from becoming a reality in South Wales.