Cymru North: Craig Roberts wonder strike secures Llangefni a point

Llangefni Town 1 (Roberts 71)
Colwyn Bay 1 (Williams 62)
JD Cymru North – August 28, 2019

A Craig Roberts wonder strike cancelled out Julian Williams‘ opener to secure an impressive point for Cefni in front of a bumper Talwrn Road crowd.

Both sides started the game tentatively and chances were at a premium as it was a case of defences on top, a theme which would continue for the entirety of the first half.

The first sniff of goal arrived on 27 minutes when Town’s Alun Roberts was found in space just inside the box, but his strike from 15 yards went narrowly wide.

The visitors made changes early in the second half which paid dividends just past the hour, a cross by substitute Damien Ketley finding Williams at the far post to finish the move off in style with a half-volley from eight yards out.

Cefni pressed on in search of an equaliser, and a half-cleared corner was picked up by Craig Roberts, whose Paolo Di Canio style volley flew into the far top corner of the net to produce a deserved leveller.

There was some late pressure by Colwyn Bay in the final few minutes but to no avail. The Town could take confidence from another solid performance against one of the title favourites and were unlucky to not to take all three points with a strong penalty shout not given.

Colwyn Bay manager Craig Hogg felt his team deserved more than a point, and did not share the home side’s enthusiasm over the nature of their equaliser.

“We are disappointed not to have won the game,” he said. “Yes, it’s our first point on the board and our first competitive goal back in Wales and I’m pleased we are off the mark, but we weren’t great by any stretch tonight.

 “The game itself was a really difficult one against a team who were very well organised and executed a pretty solid defensive game plan.

 “We’ve again forced a huge amount of corners and created a lot of good chances, but we haven’t killed the game off when we perhaps should have.”

He added: “Their goal was a little fortunate, but I think they probably deserved a point in fairness with how well they fought their rearguard action.

 “We’ve got to move on quickly as we have another really tough game on Saturday against Llandudno – a big local derby with a lot of pride at stake!”

Next up for Llangefni is Conwy Borough away on Saturday, 2.30 pm kick-off.