Cymru North – Chirk AAA only home winners, Colwyn Bay now seven unbeaten

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS – SEPTEMBER 23-24

Chirk AAA 2 Prestatyn Town 1

Report: Nigel Roberts

Eight matches in the Cymru North over the weekend and just one home win – courtesy of Chirk.

A minute’s silence prior to the game was impeccably observed by both players and supporters of both clubs in memory of former Chirk player Adam Bradshaw and friend of the club Melvin Jones, who both passed recently.

Chirk were dealt an early blow, central defender Matty Williams going off injured on 12 minutes with Caleb Davies replacing him.

Prestatyn went ahead on 18 minutes when the hosts failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Jack Holden who managed to squeeze his shot past keeper Mark Richards.

Town were dangerous on the break with both the impressive Tom Hilditch and strike partner Danny Atkins looking lively.

Hilditch got clear and really should have squared for Atkins, but decided to chance his luck from an acute angle and shot wide with his team-mate unmarked in the middle.

Chirk’s central defenders Jake Ellison and Caleb Davies both soon got the measure of the striking pair and restricted their activities with a sound performance.

The Colliers did have a fair share of the play in the first period without creating too many chances.

Chirk came out all guns blazing in the second period and Town’s impressive keeper Josh Cooke was forced into some good saves.

The home team made a double substitution on the hour with Ed Baker and Steff Rogers replacing Jack Orbell and Ryan Davies respectively.

And it was Baker who made a big impression, firstly setting up the equaliser for Rhys Edwards to slot home from close range on 75 minutes.

Then Baker made it 2-1 on 78 minutes when he confidently shot home from a Ryan Williams corner.

Late substitutes Louie Middlehurst and Lewis Clamp combined well only for Middlehurst’s powerful shot to graze the bar.

Gresford Athletic 1 Holywell Town 2

Report: Steve Roberts

Holywell came away from Clappers Lane with a hard-earned win which moved them up to third while also sending Gresford to the bottom.

Zebb Edwards nearly broke the deadlock for the visitors from an early corner, but his header was cleared off the line.

Gresford replied when Dominic Deacon’s shot was saved well by Keighan Jones, then Jacob Barratt’s effort from the rebound hit the post.

Town went close when the dangerous Morgan Murray found Dave Forbes, but his diving header flashed inches past the post with the keeper beaten.

On the stroke of half time, the Wellmen’s Kai Edwards watched as his header flew narrowly wide of Rhys Williams’ post.

Holywell took the lead with 63 minutes on the clock. Ilan ap Gareth burst forward from midfield, beat a couple of challenges then fired goalwards, forcing Williams into a great save, but the rebound was put away by Forbes.

Johnny Haseldin’s side found the net again, but the referee had already blown for a foul on Forbes in the penalty area. Zebb Edwards converted the spot-kick for 2-0.

Barratt so nearly replied as his shot came back off the post and rolled back across the face of the goal, but thankfully for Town no-one was there to steer the ball home.

Athletic pulled one back on 85 minutes. A ball back to Keighan Jones bobbled just in front of him, forcing him to miss-kick and Deacon was able to tap home.

It was a nervy final few minutes, but Jones pulled off a couple of great saves to deny Gresford their equaliser.

Buckley Town 1 Colwyn Bay 4

Bay moved temporarily six points clear at the summit after extending their unbeaten league record to seven matches at the expense of third-place Buckley on Friday.

The Seagulls made a flying start and after nine minutes Dylan Allshorn volleyed in at the far post from a great cross by Cai Owen.

Buckley threatened to make Bay pay for missed chances when they equalised with an overhead kick by Iwan Jones on 24 minutes.

Ryan Woods made a good save at the near post to prevent Bucks taking the lead, but Colwyn scored twice in the last three minutes of the half to lead 3-1 at the break.

Tom Creamer netted with a great strike from just inside the area, then in added time a Tom McCready free kick was nodded into the goalmouth by Lewis Sirrell for Guto Williams to head his first goal for the club.

After a competitive second half, where Woods did well to deny Buckley a second and Bay had a strong penalty appeal rejected, the visitors made sure of the points with a fourth goal in added time.

Matty Hill’s driving run into the area ended with a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Llanidloes Town 0 Conwy Borough 2

In the week Borough appointed Anthony Weaver as their new manager the team’s fortunes changed on the field as they celebrated a first league win of the season which hauled them off the bottom.

After a goalless first half, Craig Whelan put the visitors in front on 64 minutes and Conor Davies added a second after 78.

Moses Barnett was player of the match for the Tangerines.

Guilsfield 0 Cefn Druids 1

Josh Roseberry-Beamond notched the 32nd minute goal that earned Druids a very welcome three points.

Roseberry-Beamond applied a finish from a very difficult angle to put the Ancients in front.

Despite the late dismissal of Jaden Timmis, Druids held on for a fine victory.

Penrhyncoch 0 Llandudno 2

A successful away trip to Cae Baker, with second half goals from Marc Williams and Morgan Owen ensuring second-place Llandudno travelled back to North Wales with all three points,

Williams struck on 61 minutes and Owen after 83. Gaz Evans also rattled the crossbar from a free kick.

Penrhyncoch created a number of chances, but were unable to take them, Shaun Pearson performing well in goal.

Mold Alexandra 1 Ruthin Town 2

One goal in each half secured Ruthin the points at Alyn Park.

Sam Jones opened the scoring on 20 minutes and Gwion Owen doubled the away advantage after 54.

Ruthin went down to 10 men after 64 minutes when Ilan Hughes picked up a second yellow.

Mold pressed but all they could manage was a late consolation penalty from Danny Warren.

The result scuppered Alex’s 100 percent home record.

Porthmadog 1 Holyhead Hotspur 1

Report: Mr Treflyn Jones

A worthy crowd of 346 witnessed a hard-fought encounter which produced a fair result.

Hotspur started the brighter and keeper Morgan Jones was forced into a good early diving save from a 20 yard thunderbolt by former Port play-maker Jay Gibbs.

On 13 minutes, Port took the lead when a fine left-footed cross by Ifan Emlyn from the right found the head of Nathan Williams, who did ever so well to outjump his marker and nod home.

Holyhead rallied, Harry Lewis testing Morgan with a well-struck free kick.

It was no surprise when the visitors levelled on 31 minutes with Gibbs striking a terrific, unstoppable free kick from some 25 yards.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both sides attempting to attack with pace.

The mercurial Rhys Alun often looked dangerous for Port as he refused to be intimated by Hotspur’s sometimes strong-arm tactics at the back.

At the other end, a splendid save was produced by Morgan from a great Jack Walsh strike on the hour.

In the final 20 minutes, a flurry of yellow cards were brandished at both teams as they went tooth and nail for the win, but it remained 1-1.