Ardal North East – victory at last for Corwen, win for Cefn Albion edges them closer to summit

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST REPORTS – MARCH 26

Corwen 4 (Billington 61, S Evans pen 72, Harrison 84, Cordiner 89)
Penparcau 0

Report: Gavin Billington

After seven straight league defeats – and 11 matches without a win in all competitions – Corwen finally struck gold at the War Memorial Park on Saturday.

Ben Heath and Lee Pope’s side scored four times in the closing half-hour to sink Penparcau.

It was Corwen’s first league win since a 4-1 success over Kerry in November.

The first attempt at goal fell to the visitors, as the ball was played through to Liam Jaques, who hit a shot on the turn which went narrowly wide.

Ten minutes later a throw in was collected by Corwen’s Scott Evans, who played a great ball across to Oliver Crimp. He cut inside before unleashing a shot that had goalkeeper Lewis James beaten, but struck the bar.

A few minutes before the break, Evans curled a free kick at goal; which was on target, but tipped over by James.

Half-time: 0-0

After the restart, Owen Cordiner unleashed a low shot which looked in all the way; however James was able to get low and stop the ball finding the bottom corner with a great save. Jaques then went close for Penparcau.

Just past the hour, came the breakthrough.

Evans floated a free kick into the penalty area where Ryan Billington was on hand to score with a bullet header for his second goal in as many weeks.

Seven minutes later, Evans’ free kick was tipped over by James.

With 18 minutes to play, Cordiner was bearing down on goal and about to unleash a shot, only to brought down by the keeper, resulting in a penalty being awarded.

Evans took responsibility for the spot kick and despite James diving the correct way there was too much power and accuracy on the shot – 2-0 to the hosts.

In the 84th minute, Cordiner turned provider as he played a through ball to Kian Harrison, who got through on goal before firing home.

There was still time for Corwen to put icing on the cake, as in the 89th minute the ball smashed against the Penparcau crossbar and rebounded into the path of Cordiner, who slotted home.

Da iawn Corwen!

Team: Nathan Aldridge, Matthew Williams, Sean Cottrell, Charlie Parkinson, Harry Pooler, Ryan Billington, Oliver Crimp, Scott Evans (c), Owen Cordiner, Kian Harrison, Haydn Grindley.

Cefn Albion 4 Bow Street 1

Albion closed the gap on leaders Chirk AAA to seven points with two games in hand by beating Bow Street.

James Jones put Albion ahead in the ninth minute before the in-form Iolo ap Dafydd levelled for the visitors.

The second half saw the Cefners take command, Jordan Williams, Conner Kendrick and Alex Williams notching the second, third and fourth goals.

Rhos Aelwyd 3 Four Crosses 0

Daniel Roberts, Scott Reeves and James Rumsey bagged the goals as Rhos comfortably saw off the bottom side.

Dolgellau AA 1 Kerry 2

A surprise home loss for Dolgellau to next-bottom Kerry.
Huw Mainwaring and Ben Hendleman supplied the away net-finders, substitute Gethin Evans responding.

Carno 2 Machynlleth 1

Ryan Pugh and substitute Ben Phillips found the net to set Carno up for victory, Aaron Jones replying for Mach six minutes into stoppage time.