North Wales Coast East Division One – NFA and Amateurs close gap on leaders Abergele, Glannau grab late leveller

REPORTS: NORTH WALES COAST EAST DIVISION ONE (APRIL 1)

Abergele 3 CPD Y Glannau 3

Late substitute Josh Macgillivray’s free kick deep into added time earned Y Glannau a superb point away to the leaders.

After a narrow 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture in January, Gele expected a tough game and so it proved.

The hosts started the stronger and were winning the midfield battles, but the first big chance fell to the away team, Joey Fontana firing over the bar.

It was Abergele who edged in front, however. A Brizy Wilson ball into the box was headed in by Liam Roberts on 17 minutes.

Tawse Cox blasted wide for Y Glannau and a last-ditch tackle from home keeper Cain Folly stopped Harrison Bellis getting off a shot.

The half time whistle arrived with Gele ahead 1-0 and playing some good football.

Glannau were the livelier at the start of the second half.

Harrison Bellis equalised on 55 minutes with his 50th goal in all competitions this season, Ged Burke and Fontana combining to set him up.

Y Glannau were buzzing now, Chris McQuillen hitting the bar before the same player’s corner was headed goalwards by Fontana, but the ball was cleared off the line.

The visitors finally took the lead on 72 minutes, Alec Williams with the free kick into the box, Fontana flicking on and Kyle Hedge made it 2-1

The home team brought on Ricci Thomas and he scored on the volley with his first touch to make it 2-2.

Jack Hoult scored his 17th goal of the campaign late on to put Gele ahead before a straight red card for Tommy Lloyd left them down to 10 men.

That late Macgillivray strike ended up in the back of the net to see both teams take a point.

ABERGELE: Cain Folly, Chris Davies, Brian Wilson, Lewis Moroney, Ben Williams, James Hay, Sam Ashton, Liam Roberts, Jack Hoult, Dom Holland, Connah Atkinson.
Subs used: Jack Lloyd Williams (for Roberts 68), Ryan Pamment, Ricci Thomas for Holland 76), Tommy Lloyd.

Y GLANNAU: Brad Wright, Zak Hughes, Osian Williams, Chris Bower, Kyle Hedge, Tawse Cox, Chris McQuillen, Ged Burke, Harrison Bellis, Joey Fontana, Alec Williams.
Subs used: Josh Macgillivray (for A Williams 84), Thomas Jones (for Hedge 90+2), Tomos Williams (for Burke 71), Richard Peskett (for Cox 71), Aaron Dodwell (for McQuillen 90+3)

NFA 3 Rhyl Dragons 1

Nine straight league wins for NFA who missed a good few opportunities but still collected the all-important three points.

David McHugh put the hosts in front after five minutes, but Dragons hit back on 31 through the in-form Colin Sargerson, named club Player of the Month for March.

Matthew Robinson restored the NFA lead on 53 minutes before Niall McGuinness notched a decisive third after 79.

The home side had beaten Dragons by an identical score in the REM Jones Cup in February.

NFA are now third, seven points behind leaders Abergele but with two games in hand.

Penrhyn Bay 2 Rhos United 5

Lewis Sealey was a hat-trick hero for Rhos whose improved second half performance earned them maximum points from their derby neighbours.

Sealey, 19, moved up to 21 goals in all competitions with his treble, including 19 in Division One.

Phemmy Allison and Scott Court added the other away goals. Sealey and Tom Skelley provided two assists apiece and John King was the Rhos man of the match.

Replying for Penrhyn Bay were Solomon Dickens and Aaron Gregson.

Rhyl All Stars 0 Llandudno Amateurs 5

Another three points on the road for Amateurs with a dominant 5-0 win against a hard-working Rhyl All Stars.

A much improved All Stars under Rob Cunnah were frustrating Amateurs in the first half and the visitors were unable to get out of second gear.

A Chris Smyth hat-trick, Joe Jones free kick and Morgan Davies goal brought up the Amateurs tally.

Carl Nichols and Gaz Sharp’s team are in fourth spot, eight points adrift of leaders Abergele with two games in hand.