North Wales Coast West Premier Division – Pwllheli conquer the Bridge to close gap on table-toppers Bethesda

ERYRI CONSULTING NORTH WALES COAST WEST PREMIER DIVISION

Menai Bridge Tigers 1 (Graves 54)
Pwllheli 2 (C Jones 16, Kempster 70)

Report and pictures: Jonathan Ervine

Pwllheli moved to within seven points of leaders Bethesda Athletic with five games apiece left after taking the honours at Treborth tonight.

Pesda can make the gap 10 points again if they defeat visitors Gwalchmai at Parc Meurig tomorrow.

Tonight’s battle saw the Tigers and Pwll play out an entertaining encounter under floodlights at the Bangor University pitch.

Previously unbeaten in 2023, a run of 11 matches in all competitions, fourth-place Menai were aiming for the victory to keep them among the leading sides.

But it was the Llŷn Peninsula men who threatened more in the opening quarter hour and Dion Lewis in the Menai goal did well to pull off a double save from Adam Hall.

However, it wasn’t long before the away team took the lead. Carl Jones got in behind the home defence and found the net with a well-placed lob from the right side of the area after 16 minutes.

Kelvin Frazer had a chance for Bridge after breaking into the Pwllheli box, but his left-footed shot lacked power and was comfortably saved by Aaron Smith.

Moments later Callum Graves saw an opportunity for the home team but couldn’t direct his hooked effort on target.

Late in the opening period, Frazer was off-radar after he found himself unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors continued to threaten and went close to extending their advantage when Carl Jones dispossessed Johnny Roberts on the right of the area but his shot from a tight angle was deflected wide for a corner.

HALF-TIME: MENAI BRIDGE TIGERS 0-1 PWLLHELI

Just after the restart, Pwllheli went on the attack and Louis McFarlane sent a shot narrowly wide from just over 20 yards out.

However, it was the Anglesey-based hosts who levelled the match after 54 minutes when a cross from the right by Callum Thomas was headed in at the back post by Graves.

The equaliser spurred on the Tigers and they enjoyed a greater share of possession and looked a more dynamic force in attack.

However, the visitors almost regained the lead, but Carl Jones’ long range shot hit the bar and bounced over.

With 20 minutes left, Pwllheli went 2-1 up. Menai failed to clear a corner, which allowed Sol Kempster to head his side back in front from six yards out.

As the clock ticked down, the islanders went in search of a second equaliser but found it hard to break through a well-organised Pwllheli defence. Graves’ header following a cross from the right skimmed the top of the net.

Pwllheli looked potent on the counter and Steffan Toplis could have made it 3-1, but was unable to quite dribble round keeper Lewis after he had been sent through on goal.

Inside the final minute of normal time, the Bridge’s Jamie Jones’ powerful free kick from 25 yards went inches over the bar.