Reports from North Wales football – Wednesday, July 7

WEDNESDAY NIGHT NORTH WALES FOOTBALL REPORTS – JULY 7, 2021

TIER 4: NORTH WALES COAST WEST PREMIER DIVISION

Bangor 1876 3 (Thomas, Culshaw, Clarke)
Pwllheli 2 (Toplis 2)

Report: Jonathan Ervine

Pictures: Dafydd Hughes

Bangor 1876 made it 18 straight league wins since their formation but had to come through what was possibly their toughest test yet to maintain that 100% record on Thursday night.

It needed an injury time Tomos Clarke decider to clinch the 10-man hosts a 3-2 win over an impressive Pwllheli at Treborth.

The game had got off to a lively start after Gethin Thomas scored for the second match in a row, breaking into the penalty box and finishing well with his right foot in the fourth minute.

However, the lead didn’t last long. Steffan Toplis brought the visitors level in the eighth minute after rounding 1876 keeper Mark Hawkins and finishing well from a tight angle.

Just before the quarter hour, it looked like Les Davies had fired 1876 back in front with a powerful left-footed free-kick from 20 yards. However, the referee ordered the set-piece to be re-taken and the second attempt came to nothing.

In the 25th minute a goal arrived for 1876 – and in somewhat unexpected circumstances.

Joe Culshaw swung in a cross from the right wing, the ball eluded all the players, including the Pwllheli goalkeeper, and bounced in off the far post.

Within minutes, Pwllheli levelled for a second time after Jason Banks broke into the box and was adjudged to have been fouled by keeper Hawkins.

After a short delay, Toplis converted the spot-kick to make the score 2-2 after 31 minutes. It remained level at the break.

At the interval, Ben Owen replaced Dylan Williams in the 1876 midfield as the home side sought to make a strong start to the second period.

However, they faced not just the challenge posed by a resolute Pwllheli team, who continued to press, but soon also a numerical disadvantage.

1876 defender Cian Williams was shown a red card after clashing with a Pwllheli attacker only eight minutes into the half, which necessitated a tactical reorganisation.

The arrival of Cameron Barry off the bench provided the home team with renewed pace and impetus in right midfield after he took the place of first goalscorer Thomas.

A further change was made on the hour by the hosts as Sam Ashworth came on for Sam Roberts.

As the match entered the final 20 minutes, the visitors had a chance to take the lead for the first time when substitute Robin Thomas broke clean through but his effort was well saved by Hawkins.

With quarter of an hour left, Chris Jones went agonisingly close following a scramble in the visitors’ box but his shot was cleared off the line.

The game looked set to finish all square but that was before a moment of late drama.

Culshaw crossed from the right and 1876 defender Clarke rose high at the back post to score with a powerful header that secured a dramatic late victory.

Pentraeth 2 (Owen, Roberts)
Bodedern Athletic 3 (Thomas 2, Evans)

Leading 3-0 at half time, Bodedern should have been out of sight by the break, but they managed to hold on for the points despite a good fightback by hosts Pentraeth in the second period.

New signing Asa Thomas broke the deadlock on 26 minutes with the 525th competitive goal of his career – a fierce strike after good work from Sam Gregson.

Four minutes after another new face, although a returning one to Cae Ty Cristion in Marc Evans, lobbed the advancing keeper to make it 2-0.

And close to the interval Gregson was involved again as Thomas fired home with aplomb. Boded missed numerous other chances in the half.

In the second half, Pentraeth rallied and Leon Owen and Jamie Roberts scored for them, but the win went the way of the visiting side.

Man of the match for Athletic was Sean Pritchard.

Penrhyndeudraeth 10 (Watson, Smith 2, Price, R Jones, Henshaw, Quaeck, Regan OG, Pritchard OG, Griffiths)
Gaerwen 0

New Penrhyndeudraeth manager Iwan Williams’ first game in charge could hardly have gone better as they hit double-figures at Marc-y-Parc.

On top from start to finish, Tomos Smith netted twice for the hosts and there were own goals from Sam Regan and Christy Pritchard.

The rest all came in singles: Liam Watson, Iddon Price, Richard Jones, Cai Henshaw, Huw Quaeck and Aaron Griffiths sharing the haul.

TIER 4: NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Chirk Town 2 (Nicky Williams 2)
Llangollen Town 1 (Ruben Thomas)

A Nicky Williams brace was the difference between the sides in a very competitive game,

Ruben Thomas put Llangollen in front, but the prolific Williams turned the tables to seal a first three points in the Premier for the Taverners.

Cefn Mawr Rangers 0
Mynydd Isa Spartans 6 (Aitken 2, Mitchell, Atkinson, Reilly, Woolley)

A ruthless display from the Spartans, but Rangers will be very disappointed at their own performance.

Renowned goal-getter Jack Aitken scored twice for the visitors, Joe Mitchell, Mark Atkinson, Sam Reilly and Luke Woolley with one each.

FC Queen’s Park A
Hawarden Rangers A
(abandoned due to injury)

A serious injury to Queen’s Park player Niall Martin left him requiring an ambulance and ultimately caused the game to be abandoned.

Both clubs wish Niall a speedy recovery