Catch-up: Ardal North West – Nantlle stay top, Bangor 1876 and Rhyl 1879 both victorious

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS – OCTOBER 15

Bangor 1876 6 (McGonigle 5, 19 & 44, Petrie 52, Galeotti 53, Morris 72)
Brickfield Rangers 0

Not a bad way to go into your biggest game of the season to date – on the back of a 6-0 victory.

Bangor 1876 tuned up for this Saturday’s first competitive fixture against CPD Y Rhyl 1879 by hammering fellow high-flyers Brickfield at Treborth,

The result put Michael Johnston’s side second in Ardal North West ahead of the weekend derby clash with co-undefeated 1879 at Belle Vue.

Last Saturday saw Corrig McGonigle notch his fifth hat-trick of the season and make it 27 league and cup goals combined.

The sight of a team called Rangers playing in green and white hoops and against a team wearing blue and white at Treborth would certainly have been a curious sight for fans of Scottish football.

Brickfield posed an early threat when Harry Fuller shot wide from 20 yards and that seemed to provide a wake-up call for 1876, who went straight up the other end and took the lead when McGonigle was found in space breaking into the box.

After controlling the ball, McGonigle beat visiting goalkeeper Adam Jones with a calm left-footed finish.

Brickfield had a great chance to equalise when a neat passing move resulted in Andrew Vale’s side-footed effort being well saved by the feet of home keeper Huw Shaw.

Just before the quarter hour mark, Rangers advanced again but Isaac Dawson’s long range effort was tipped over by Shaw.

Bangor, however, doubled their advantage on 19 minutes. 

Les Davies was fouled in a central position 25 yards out and McGonigle stepped up to curl an effort into the top right hand corner despite Jones managing to get a hand on the ball.

Rangers rallied with Vale and Dawson having chances, but 1876 got back on top and as half-time approached, McGonigle managed to complete another hat-trick. 

After neat interplay with Liam Morris on the left, the prolific attacker found the bottom corner with a calm finish.

Half-time: 3-0

Jamie Petrie found the net from 20 yards in the 52nd minute not long after McGonigle had hit the post.

A minute later, 1876 added a fifth. Petrie showed pace and determination on the left to keep the ball in play. His ball across goal was met powerfully at the back post by Harry Galeotti, who scored for the third consecutive game.

In the 71st minute Bangor made it six when Davies flicked a long throw from substitute Shaun Lock into the path of Liam Morris, who applied a calm finish.

Saltney Town 2
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 3

Gareth Thomas’ side bounced back from their first defeat in 40 matches the previous weekend with a hard-fought success at Saltney.

1879 made it five straight wins since their promotion to Ardal North West which sets them up nicely for this Saturday’s first-ever competitive fixture with Bangor 1876.

A large crowd is expected at Belle Vue for the renewing of rivalries between teams representing the coastal town and city.

Manager Thomas made several changes going into last weekend’s match at the Dragon Steel Stadium. 

Goalkeeper Ryan Roberts came back into the starting 11, with Jonny Taylor available for his first game of the season, making the bench.

1879 were looking to maintain a 100% winning start in the league after suffering their first loss in 400 days to Ruthin in the Welsh Cup last time out.

Within a minute of the kick off 1879 would find themselves 1-0 up. Great work by Macauley Taylor down the right saw him deliver a superb ball to Kieran Ellis, who fired past home keeper Alex Swindell.

After a great start for the visitors, the home side went on to boss possession in the first half. 

1879 keeper Roberts was called into action time and time again, but was more than up to the challenge, as was the defensive unit.

Rhyl eventually turned the tables and with nine minutes of the half remaining. Alex Jones found Jack Higgins, who placed the ball low and hard past Swindell to double the lead.

Saltney began the second half on top and cut the deficit on 53 minutes, Stephen Chiocchi netting.

Alex Jones and substitute Jonny Taylor had goals ruled out for offside before Rhyl made it 3-1.

Alex Jones delivered a wonderful pass to Taylor, who rounded the keeper and found the back of the net.

The home side would pull one back late on, defender Leon Flatman curling the ball beautifully into the top right-hand corner.

Late drama saw Saltney midfielder Tom Rowlands shown a straight red.

Flint Mountain 3 CPD Y Felinheli 2

Goals in added time from Gary Roberts and Kyle Smyth delivered a dramatic victory for Mountain.

Smyth put the hosts in front on 20 minutes before goals from Jack Cain and Aled Emyr, the latter with 80 on the clock, looking to have swung things Felinheli’s way before the late twist.

Hawarden Rangers 1 Denbigh Town 3

Nathan Brown gave Denbigh a 16th minute lead before Lee King-Magee levelled for Hawarden on 34.

Jake Walker clinched the points for the visitors with goals on 38 and 85 minutes.

Llanrwst United 0 Bodedern Athletic 0

Described as not the most entertaining of games at Parc Gwydir, both sides just about deserved to take a point apiece.

Nantlle Vale 2 Llangefni Town 0

Leaders Nantlle kept their fine form going.

Jamie Thomas handed Vale a 41st minute lead and an Ashley Owen penalty on 82 sealed the points.

Llangefni had Gerwyn Roberts red-carded with 81 minutes gone.

Rhostyllen 2 Llandudno Albion 4

Three welcome points for Albion with record scorer Dave Maddock, Adam Hold (2) and Ryan Vaughan providing the goals.

It was 2-2 until the 85th minute, after which Vaughan and Hold settled the result.

Tom Douglas and Taylor Williams twice brought basement boys Rhostyllen level.