JD Cymru North – Chirk celebrate first win in 13 attempts, Colwyn Bay and Holywell remain unstoppable

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS – FEBRUARY 11

Chirk AAA 3 Mold Alexandra 1

Report: Nigel Roberts
Photos: Brian Prydden

After 12 league matches without a win Chirk picked up the victory their recent improved form deserved which puts daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

The Colliers scooped their first three points since September with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Mold Alex which gives Andy Pryde’s men a great confidence boost in their fight against relegation.

It was no surprise when on loan TNS striker Rhys Edwards deservedly nudged the home side ahead on the half-hour mark.

Chirk led at the break, but Mold equalised when their giant centre-back Steve Watkins headed in from a corner just minutes into the second half.

However, minutes later Max Mclaughlin fired Chirk back in front when he struck a fierce shot from 20 yards past Elliot Quinlan in the Mold goal.

Chirk were playing with confidence and another recent signing, Tristan Lloyd, made it 3-1 on 67 minutes to give the home side a solid lead which they never looked like surrendering.

Colwyn Bay 4 Cefn Druids 1

The unflappable Seagulls recovered from a goal down to beat Cefn Druids 4-1 at the 4 Crosses Arena to make it 21 straight league wins and stay 12 points clear at the top.

Bay suffered a first half blow when skipper Tom McCready had to go off with an injury and they struggled to really trouble Druids keeper Michael Jones, although he did make an excellent double to save to deny Tom Creamer and then Matty Hill.

In the 28th minute Druids broke quickly and Stefan Jones fired past the advancing Jack Crichton to edge the visitors in front.

Three minutes into added time at the end of the half, the Ancients failed to deal with a free kick into the area and Dylan Allshorn rifled an equaliser into the roof of the net.

The Bay then dominated much of the second half, but missed a chance to take the lead when Lewis Sirrell fired a penalty against a post.

However, three minutes later great work by Alex Downes on the right opened up the chance for Stef Edwards, who finished to make it 2-1.

On 75 minutes substitute Sam Hart broke free on the left and chipped a clever ball over the keeper. It was probably going in anyway, but Cai Owen raced in to make sure it went over the line.

Late on a pinpoint free kick by Ryan Edwards was headed home by substitute Guto Williams.

Holywell Town 4 Guilsfield 0

Jake Cooke bagged a hat-trick and top-marksman Dave Forbes also got on the score-sheet as Holywell completed a 17th straight league victory.

Town took the lead on 20 minutes. Mark Winslade’s shot from the edge of the area was only parried by the keeper, but Cooke tapped in from the rebound.

Tom Bibby thought he had added a second, but the assistant had his flag up for offside.

The Wellmen doubled their lead deep into injury time. Danny Andrews controlled the ball well and released Cooke, who beat his marker and coolly slotted past the advancing keeper.

Nine minutes into the second half, a lovely through ball by Ilan ap Gareth found Cooke, who cut inside and fired home to complete his hat trick.

More chances came Town’s way before they added a fourth with 86 minutes played.

A great ball by Aidan Farren enables Forbes to put away his 21st goal of the season in all competitions and 11th in the league.

Holyhead Hotspur 0 Gresford Athletic 2

Revenge for Gresford as they won away against a Holyhead side which beat them 3-1 at Clappers Lane seven days earlier.

Athletic survived an early scare when a Hotspur effort rattled the post in the second minute.

It was not long until Gresford took the lead, with Toby Gallagher-Keenan’s eighth-minute shot falling into the path of Dominic Deacon, who tapped into an almost empty net.

The visitors continued to dominate the game, but it remained 1-0 up to half time.

No further goals arrived until the 80th minute. Substitute Steffan Gittins played Charlie Mann through on goal and he slotted the ball calmly past Ben Heald.

Nathan Williams was named Gresford’s Man of the Match.

Llandudno 4 Llanidloes Town 0

Four different scorers appeared on the sheet for a Llandudno outfit which swept aside their visitors with some ease.

Shaun Cavanagh broke the deadlock with a 33rd minute penalty and it remained 1-0 up to the interval.

Eight minutes into the second half, Joe Chaplin recorded his 10th league goal of the season for the Seasiders.

Marc Williams’ 14th of the campaign made it three and substitute Julian Williams struck close to the end.

Prestatyn Town 2 Porthmadog 1

This one was goalless until Porthmadog goalkeeper Morgan Jones was red-carded on 70 minutes.

Jones rushed out from his area and crashed into advancing Prestatyn attacker Jack Holden just outside. Referee Karl Berry sent off the keeper.

In the 78th minute, Dean Davies put Town one-up after a scramble in the box following a free kick.

Port responded well despite being a man short and on 85 minutes a Gerwyn Williams shot found the net for what seemed a deserved equaliser and a share of the points.

But two minutes into added time Davies, scorer of the first goal, broke to the byline and turned provider for Jack Gibney to shoot home and break Port hearts.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Conwy Borough 1 (Craig Whelan 62) Buckley Town 1 (Asa Hamilton 70)

Ruthin Town 2 (Gwion Owen 40, Llyr Morris 67) Penrhyncoch 1 (Courtney Perkins 83)