Chirk are staying up! Also, it’s farewell to the Colliers and Buckley Town managers

Phil Pearce (red – 5) celebrates his late leveller for Chirk. ALL PHOTOS: BRIAN PRYDDEN – many thanks

JD CYMRU NORTH

FINAL TABLE: http://www.allwalessport.co.uk

CHIRK AAA 2 (Phillips 43, Pearce 79)
BUCKLEY TOWN 2 (Jones 15, Teixeira 34)

Club legend Phil Pearce scored the goal which ensured Chirk got the point needed to remain in the JD Cymru North next season.

For the Colliers to go down, they had to lose to Buckley and Conwy Borough required a victory at Ruthin Town.

As it happened, Conwy were beaten 4-0 and were relegated, so even a defeat would not have cost the AAA’s their tier-two status, but Andy Pryde’s men still succeeded in the task asked of them.

In today’s encounter at Holyhead Road, Buckley had led 2-0 with goals from Owen Jones and Ruben Lima Teixeira, but Chirk bounced back in the 43rd minute through Josh Phillips.

Chirk dominated proceedings in the second period before Pearce’s dramatic equaliser late on.

The 31-year-old centre back has played largely for the Reserves this term, but when needed for the firsts he stepped up and did an admirable job – as he has done in so many previous seasons – rounded off by that goal.

It was a battling performance from a depleted Chirk team and the point was the minimum they deserved.

So Chirk retained their Cymru North status which was always the main objective this season.

FAREWELL TO THE MANAGERS

Andy Pryde is showered with champagne to celebrate his spell as Chirk AAA manager

After today’s game, both managers stepped down – Andy Pryde of Chirk AAA and Buckley Town’s Dan Moore.

Pryde has been in charge at Holyhead Road three seasons and did a great job in guiding the Colliers into the tier 2 Cymru North/Cymwu Alliance for only the second time in their history.

And Dan Moore gets the treatment too!

Moore has had a successful six-season stint with Bucks.

The 32-year-old took over as first team manager at the start of the 2017/2018 season after a spell as assistant, and after a dramatic 86th minute equaliser in the final game versus Brickfield, he guided Town back into the Cymru Alliance at the first time of asking.

He has since performed marvels in building up the club on and off the field.

FAW RESERVE LEAGUE (NORTH EAST)

RHOS AELWYD 0
CHIRK AAA 5

Chirk continued their great form with a resounding 5-0 win at Ponciau Banks.

The victory takes Chirk to within three points of leaders TNS and 15 points ahead of third-placed Penycae – although they have 5 games in hand.

Leading the way was leading scorer Harvey Edwards with a double penalty blast, with other goals coming from Jack Jones, Jack Antony and veteran striker/player manager Anthony Jones.

Excellent team performance. Next up is Llay Welfare at Holyhead Road on Wednesday evening with a 6.30 kick off.