North Wales Coast West Premier Cup – Corrig hat-trick guides 1876 into next round

NORTH WALES COAST WEST REPORTS – MARCH 12

PREMIER CUP

Amlwch Town 1 Bangor 1876 4

Report: Matt Johnson

Corrig McGonigle netted his first hat-trick for new club Bangor 1876 in a comfortable victory at Lon Bach.

There was another small historical detail attached to Saturday’s game – it was the first time 1876 had played a competitive match after the first week of March (Covid ending their debut 2019-20 season early and then completely wiping out 2020-21).

The visitors began this Premier Cup tie at Amlwch very positively, McGonigle and Jamie Petrie hitting shots that were virtually cleared off the line in the first 10.

The blues in red continued to apply attacking pressure for the next 20 minutes.

Les Davies struck the bar, McGonigle missed narrowly and home keeper Tommy Torr made a couple of noteworthy saves

1876 took the lead when Sion Edwards was felled in the box in the 29th minute and McGonigle netted from the spot.

McGonigle scored his second in the 33rd minute. A weak defensive clearance found the feet of Davies, who exquisitely floated a pass to McGonigle, enabling the former Conwy Borough striker to score with an assured finish.

The 35th minute provided more scientific evidence that 2-0 is the least secure lead in football as Luke McGivern controlled a pass from Richard Jones to make it 2-1.

In the last minute of the first half, 1876 restored their two-goal lead. Petrie’s shot hit the bar and Davies headed the descending ball past Torr’s valiant blocking attempt.

The second half was only seconds old when 1876 were awarded their second penalty. McGonigle completed his treble with another shot of firm assurance.

With 44 minutes left to play, the contest was far from over but as Amlwch continued to attack, 1876’s stoic defensive duo – Tom Clarke and Corey Jones – remained strong.

Alwyn Roberts came on for Harry Galeotti in the 57th minute and whilst he may not have scored, 1876 fans will have been very encouraged by his performance.

Roberts either went searching for the ball or was able to bring other players into the action with excellent hold-up play.

CPD Aberffraw 0 Llanberis 2

Cal MacDonald put Llanberis ahead in the 10th minute and the lead was doubled on 55 through an own goal from home keeper Darren Baker.

Glantraeth 1 CPD Mynydd Llandegai 0

Paul Bryant scored the winning goal in the 38th minute from an Arwel Williams assist.

Gwalchmai 1 CPD Gaerwen 0

Konner Druce was an unlikely goal-scoring match-winning hero for Gwalchmai in this island derby at Maes Meurig.

Normally a top-class goalkeeper, Druce suffered a broken hand two weeks ago which ruled him out of taking the gloves, but he offered his services as an outfield substitute on Saturday.

And within a minute of taking the field just past the hour, Druce banged in the deciding goal.

CPD Nefyn United 6 Menai Bridge Tigers 2

Ifan Jones was a four-goal star for the Penwaig in Saturday’s cup encounter at Caer Delyn.

Tomi Evans and Josh Piper added singles for the hosts, Dafydd Healy and Callum Graves with consolations for the Tigers.

CPD Pentraeth 3 CPD Pwllheli 3 (Pwllheli won 5-3 on pens)

Pwllheli went through 5-3 on penalties after a thriller at Bryniau Field ended 3-3.

Jordan Roberts gave Pwll a 15th minute lead, but Leon Owen levelled on 21 and Zac Williams put Pentraeth ahead just before half time.

Daniel Roberts made it all-square two minutes into the second half, then on 75, Tom Verburg edged Pen back in front.

Jac Williams restored parity at 3-3 in the 87th minute and it went to pens with Pwllheli prevailing.