Ardal North East – Corwen celebrate first win of the season, Cefn Albion grab top spot

ARDAL NORTH EAST REPORTS – OCTOBER 8

Corwen 3 Llangollen Town 2

Report and photos: Gavin Billington

Off the mark and off the bottom – congratulations Corwen on their first league win of the season, secured thanks to an heroic 90th minute penalty save from keeper Nathan Roberts.

Lee Pope’s side picked up three points at the eighth attempt when Llangollen Town visited the War Memorial Park on Saturday.

James Davies fired over for the hosts early on before Llangollen’s Jacque Coates looped the ball into the air from just inside the Corwen half, forcing home keeper Roberts to come off his line to try and collect.

Llan striker Benjamin Wilson won the race for the ball, but sent his header over the bar.

In the 28th minute, Oliver Crimp’s throw-in was helped forward to Andrew Roberts, who in turn played the ball across to James Davies.

From almost the same spot as his last effort, Davies blasted the ball beyond Benjamin Lloyd to open the scoring – 1-0 to Corwen.

In stoppage time Corwen failed to clear their lines, allowing James Samuels to get around Crimp to collect a cross, but he was unable to level as Roberts got behind his shot.

The loose ball was gathered by the visitors, who delivered back into the area, where Wilson headed over.

Half-time: Corwen 1 Llangollen 0

Five minutes after the break Delwyn Jones took a throw-in quickly, which caught out Prescott, allowing Andrew Roberts to get through on goal and place the ball into the top corner of the net to double Corwen’s advantage.

In the 72nd minute Llangollen had a golden opportunity to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty. Wilson sent Roberts the wrong way to half the deficit.

With 11 minutes left, Andrew Roberts was bearing down on the Llangollen goal, when he was stopped in his tracks by goalkeeper Lloyd.

After consulting with his assistant, the referee deemed the keeper had impeded Roberts unfairly, resulting in the award of a penalty.

Scott Evans took the spot-kick and found the top corner for 3-1.

Llangollen earned a free kick just outside the Corwen penalty area in the 82nd minute, which Kristian Jones played back to Gwilym Keddie, who fired home from the edge of the D to bring the deficit back to one goal.

As the game entered the 90th minute the referee pointed to the spot for a third time, and it was Llangollen’s turn again after a handball from a home defender.

Wilson was on spot-kick duty again, but this time was denied a brace as Roberts pulled off a brilliant save to keep his side’s lead intact.

Deep into added time, Town won a corner, but were unable to profit, meaning Corwen had broken their duck.

Cefn Albion 3 Rhos Aelwyd 0

Albion went top of the table after brushing aside local rivals Rhos in a battle of the high-flyers at Clywedog Park.

Second-half goals from Alex Williams, plus substitutes Luke Griffin and Jordan Jones (penalty) clinched the points.

Nathan Williams almost added a fourth when he headed against the crossbar.

Dolgellau AA 3 Llanrhaeadr YM 2

Great win for Dolgellau with goals from David Edwards, Rob Evans and a late one via Gerwyn Williams.

James Burgess and Lewis Davies replied for the visitors.

Llandrindod Wells 1 Builth Wells 1

Ashley Jones put Llandrindod ahead on 26 minutes, but Christopher Roff responded for Builth after 59 to earn a point.

Llanfair United 6 Welshpool Town 2

Ryan Knott missed an early penalty for Welshpool before Llanfair went on to win emphatically at Mount Field.

Max McLaughlin (3), Richard Davies (2) and Thomas Gregory split the home goals, Ethan Kinsey with both for the away side.