Ardal North West – Albion and Mold progress in cup, league joy for Brickfield, Nantlle Vale and leaders Llanuwchllyn

ARDAL NORTH CUP FIRST ROUND

Llandudno Albion 2 (Dan Evans 43, 62)
CPD Porthmadog 1 (Matty Jones pen 13)

After a difficult run of four fixtures on the road which had failed to deliver a single victory, Llandudno Albion bounced back in style at home to beat league leaders Porthmadog in the first round of the Ardal North Cup.

Port started promisingly at Maesdu Park, and on four minutes a great cross from the left by Rhys Alun was netted first time by Matty Jones only for the ‘goal’ to be ruled out for offside.

On 13 minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Marcus Banks was tripped in the box. Up stepped Matty Jones to send the keeper the wrong way.

From then on, the Albion grew more and more into the game and the pacy Lee Stokes proved a constant thorn in the side of Port’s defenders.

Stokes sent in a very good-looking shot from 20 yards, but fortunately for the away side, it went straight into the grateful arms of Dylan Roberts.

In the 42nd minute, after creating several good attacking moves, Albion were level when a fine cross by Joe Carey on the left flank was headed home powerfully by Dan Evans.

Half-time: 1-1

The second half looked worrying for Port even before it started as keeper Dylan Roberts was replaced by his deputy and namesake Bradley Roberts due to an injury.

Albion continued to look dangerous on the break and it took a well-timed block by Sol Kempster to foil a seemingly certain goal.

On 55 minutes, Port’s Matty Jones got on the end of a pinpoint cross, but his close range shot went over the crossbar. A bad miss.

Two minutes later, however, Port were given the nearest thing to a lifeline when they were awarded another penalty, the reason for which was rather unclear.

Matty Jones took it, but this time goalkeeper Louis Williams pulled off a fine one-handed save diving to his right.

Then in the 62nd minute, Albion were ahead when a high, deep cross evaded Bradley Roberts and Dan Evans scored with a fine header – his sixth goal of the season.

There followed a lengthy spell of pressure by Port, during which Albion left back Calum Jones was shown the red card for a second bookable offence as he fouled Dewi Thomas.

Despite being down to 10 men, Albion held on admirably to progress to the next round.

Llandudno Albion: Louis Williams, Ryan Vaughan (Liam Jones 88), Calum Jones, Dan Roberts, Joel Lloyd, Dan Evans, Jos Jones, Luke Smith (Ricky Jones 77), Lee Stokes, Joe Carey (Anthony Marshall 68), Adam Hold.

Porthmadog: Dylan Roberts (Bradley Roberts 45), Gareth Jones-Evans, Josh Banks (John Littlemore 71), Stuart Rogers, Sol Kempster ,Dewi Thomas, Nathan Craig (Paul Lewis 52), Rhys Alun, Matty Jones, Marcus Banks, Julian Williams.

Mold Alexandra 3
Llanrwst United 0

Danny Warren’s second half hat-trick sent an impressive Mold side into the next round of the Ardal North Cup.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

Llanuwchllyn hit top spot in the Lock Stock Ardal North West with a 3-1 victory at Brymbo.

Goals from Tom Watkin Jones and Gwydion Ifan put the visitors two-up before Finley Dyer hit back for the Steelmen.

A 70th minute Alan Huxley own goal, which Llanuwchllyn credited to their player Joe Evans settled the points.

An eight-goal cracker between Llay Welfare and Y Felinheli ended all-square at 4-4.

Jonny Taylor struck first on 15 minutes for Llay, but Rhys Parry levelled after 26 to make it one-apiece at the break.

Adam Davies restored the Welfare lead three minutes after the turnaround, Gavin Lloyd Jones equalised after 57, but Tom Wells put Llay ahead for a third time seconds later.

Gruff John and Gavin Lloyd Jones then hit back for Y Felinheli to finally edge the visitors in front, but Dean Bryan restored parity on 88.

Iwan Edwards of Felinheli was shown a red card before the end.

Brickfield Rangers enjoyed a great trip to Blaenau Amateurs, where they ran out resounding 9-0 winners.

Jardel Lima Teixeira got the goals flowing on two minutes, then Andy Vale (2) and Haci Ozlu made it 4-0 by half time.

Vale added two more after the break, Isaac Dawson, Ozlu (pen) and a Iwan Jones own goal making up the nine.

Cemlyn Owen picked up two yellow cards for the Quarrymen.

Nantlle Vale are up to sixth after a 2-1 triumph at bottom side St Asaph City.

Ashley Owen struck on 12 and 86 minutes for the visitors, Andy Booker having equalised on 15 for Saints.