Cymru North: Leaders Prestatyn defeated, Bangor take spoils at Rhyl, Flint close gap

Just 233 spectators saw Rhyl beaten 2-1 at home by long-time rivals Bangor City in the Cymru North.

It must have been one of the lowest-ever crowds to witness a league game between two coastal foes who used to regularly attract four-figure attendances when both were in the Cymru Premier not so long ago.

The Lilywhites failed to make their possession pay at the Educate Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The home side’s game plan was disrupted early on when Ross Stephens was forced off with an injury, Aaron Hassall coming on and Tom Creamer switching to central midfield.

A physical Bangor side were allowed to make numerous late challenges which mainly went unpunished until finally Emmanuel Agyemang saw yellow for a bad tackle on Max Peate.

The combination of Agyemang and referee Aled Williams were at the heart of the next action which saw the visitors take the lead.

Ben Burrows failed to clear the ball and a pass from the Bangor right saw Agyemang judged to be in an offside position from the assistant-referee as he raised his flag, the striker going on to finish past Rory Crowther. However, man in the middle Williams intervened to award the goal to Bangor in the 34th minute.

Rhyl responded positively and were rewarded five minutes later. A free kick floated into the box by Hassall was met by Sam Molyneux , whose glancing header past Gabriele Brino brought the Lilywhites level in the 39th minute.

However, just before the break a good cross from Massimo Sammartino enabled Simone Rea to head into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw the majority of possession for the Lilywhites as the visitors sat further and further back, but Rhyl failed to find the creativity to unlock the away defence.

Hassall’s shot was tipped over by Brino, who also denied substitute Callum Roberts late on.

Conwy Borough 2 Buckley Town 3

Connor Littler netted twice as Buckley claimed a cracking three points at Y Morfa.

Bucks dominated the early stages and took a seventh-minute lead when Littler, the smallest man in attack, headed in a goal.

In the 13th minute Craig Whelan lobbed the visiting keeper to even the score.

Buckley had a number of chances to re-take the lead, but in the dying seconds of the first half Boro’s leading scorer Corrig McGonigle fired in a spectacular goal to make it 2-1 at the turnaround.

Four minutes into the second half another delightful move by Buckley saw the ball received by Aron Williams, who turned three men and found the back of the net.

On the hour, Littler made it 3-2 with another powerful header.

As much as Conwy pushed forward for the remainder of the match they failed to breach the Buckley rearguard, which stayed strong until the end.

Rest of the Action

There was a surprise at Cae Baker where leaders Prestatyn Town suffered just their second league defeat of the season in going down 3-2 to Penrhyncoch.

Steffan Gittins bagged a 94th minute winner for the Roosters. who had earlier struck through Ifan Burrell and Steffan Davies, Jordan Davies and a Rhys James own goal keeping Town in the contest before that dramatic ending.

Flint Town United closed the gap on Prestatyn to just four points thanks to Brandon Burrows’ decider in a 1-0 verdict at Gresford Athletic.

Porthmadog also upset the form book with a 2-1 win at Colwyn Bay, who had been victorious in their previous five Cymru North fixtures.

Mitch Bryant put the Seagulls in front, but Iddon Price and Ilan ap Gareth hit back to seal a deserved success for Port.

Jamie Roberts and Matthew Jones were on target as Llangefni Town took the honours 2-1 at Corwen, Harry Pooler striking first for the hosts.

Iwan Matthews (2) and Khyam Wyton (pen) ensured Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant ran out 3-2 winners at Llanfair United, Alun Hughes and Ben Jones netting for the home team.

Guilsfield v Llandudno was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.