Ardal Northern: West – CPD Y Rhyl 1879 take over top spot, East – Llanrhaeadr celebrate first win
ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE REPORTS – DECEMBER 3
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 3 Hawarden Rangers 0
At the third time of asking, Rhyl 1879 accepted the opportunity to go top of the Ardal North West table.
Having failed to beat Denbigh Town (1-2) and Brickfield Rangers (3-3) in their previous two games, where wins would have taken them to the peak, Gareth Thomas’ side finally hit the summit at the expense of latest opponents Hawarden.
Rhyl had won 2-0 at their latest opponent’s ground three weeks earlier and for the return, home boss Thomas would be without the injured Leon Atkins, Tom Cain, Kieran Ellis and Macauley Taylor.
Within seconds of the start Aaron White would see his effort saved by Rangers keeper Jonathan Simpson.
In the 21st minute Alex Jones’ shot came back off the inside of the post, White was first to the rebound but Simpson punched his attempt out for a corner.
Just past the half hour, a short corner by Jack Davies was played to captain Reece Fairhurst who slotted the ball low and hard into the box where Jack Higgins was first to react and fire into the net.
Early in the second half, Jack Davies sent the ball in via a corner from the right, and rising above the defence Alex Jones connected low and hard and found the net for 2-0.
Rhyl could have scored many more but for Simpson’s heroics keeping the margin down.
They did manage a third on 65 minutes when Chris Bennett sent a wonderful ball into Higgins who put the ball past Simpson to score his second.
Rhyl are home again this Saturday to Nantlle Vale.
CPD Y Rhyl 1879: Luke Wilmot, Sion Williams, Casey Faulkner, Miles Todd, Reece Fairhurst (C), Dan Sim, Aaron White, Alex Jones, Chris Bennett, Jack Higgins, Jack Davies. Subs: Ryan Roberts (GK), Elliott Evans, Jonny Taylor, Warren Adam, James Jones.
Nantlle Vale 1 Llandudno Albion 1
On the back of four successive defeats, Albion pulled themselves out of the bottom two with a courageous draw at Maes Dulyn.
The day started well for the visitors with Elliot Jarvis putting them ahead on five minutes.
It remained 1-0 until the 59th minute when Nantlle benefited from a Paddy Hold own goal.
Llay Welfare P Bodedern Athletic P
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant 4 Corwen 1
Basement side Llanrhaeadr celebrated their first league win of the season at the expense of a Corwen outfit which remain floundering in the bottom three.
The away side looked to take the lead in spectacular fashion when Matthew Pleavin crossed into the box, where former Llan player Gruff Evans went for a goal with an overhead kick, but his effort cleared the bar.
Midway through the half Corwen’s Harry Pooler’s shot from distance was parried by Paul Edwards, causing a scramble, but a great last-ditch tackle prevented an away goal.
On the brink of half time, Llan’s William France played a free kick into the Corwen box, where James Burgess could only head off target.
Corwen grabbed the lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Haydn Grindley sent a great delivery across the face of goal, allowing Gruff Evans to knock the ball home at the far post.
The goal seemed to spark the home side into life, as they went for the jugular straight from the restart.
The ball was played into a crowded box, where William France picked out Joe Vaughan, who lashed into the top corner to level.
Two minutes later Llanrhaeadr were on the attack again and won a free kick near the corner flag. A home player saw his shot saved by Nathan Roberts and then cleared by Corwen.
The hosts won the ball back and Burgess lofted into the 18-yard box, where Ryan Broadbent leapt up to head home.
Despite the substitute appearing to be the furthest player forward and therefore offside, the goal was awarded, capping a mad five-minute spell, where the net was found three times in a game where a goal looked unlikely.
With four minutes of the 90 to play, Corwen gave the ball away and with men committed forward, Broadbent was in acres of space. He fed Vaughan who slotted the ball home.
Corwen’s Henry Evans hit a free kick against and over the bar before in the 11th minute of stoppage time, Broadbent’ struck the crossbar and from the rebound William Morris was able to stoop and head in.
Welshpool Town 3 Llandrindod Wells 4
Welshpool’s fightback from 4-1 down could have earned them a draw only for a late missed penalty.
Thomas Durant put the visitors ahead after a minute, but in no time Ethan Kinsey levelled.
Durant struck again for Llandrindod on eight minutes and Town received a further setback when Ryan Knott was red-carded before the break.
When Daniel Hall and Robert Nicholls made it 4-1 to Wells after eight minutes of the second half, the game looked over.
However, in the 86th minute Jake Parr hit back for Welshpool and then Adam Knott reduced the deficit to one by scoring again on 89.
Then a penalty was awarded to the hosts, but Richard Litchfield was unable to convert. Some game!