Ardal North West – Bangor 1876 strengthen position in top spot with crucial win over Nantlle

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – APRIL 28, 2023

Bangor 1876 3 (McGonigle 8 & 16, Morris 38)

Nantlle Vale 1 (Owen 41)

Report: Jonathan Ervine

Two goals from Corrig McGonigle and a Liam Morris single delivered the win which gave a timely boost to 1876’s title hopes.

Michael Johnston’s side are three points clear at the summit following tonight’s success over renowned upset merchants Nantlle Vale.

The Ardal North West top three now stands:

Bangor 1876: Played 25 Points 62 (GD +47)
CPD Y Rhyl 1879: Played 26 Points 59 (GD +31)
Denbigh Town: Played 23 Points 58 (GD +57)

Remaining League Games:

Bangor 1876: May 6 – Hawarden Rangers (home)
Rhyl 1879: Fixtures completed
Denbigh Town: May 3 – Llanrwst United (away); May 6 – Nantlle Vale (home); May 13 – Rhostyllen (away)

Tonight’s tussle at Treborth saw Bangor take an eighth-minute lead when Morris had a shot from the edge of the area that was parried by keeper Owain Roberts, but McGonigle was on hand to net the rebound.

Within a minute, McGonigle came close to adding a second with a free-kick from a tight angle, but Roberts denied him with a fine save.

Just after the quarter-hour mark, McGonigle broke into the visitors’ penalty area after playing a one-two with Jamie Petrie and slotted the ball past Roberts with a calm finish to double the advantage and record his 53rd goal of the season.

Tom Clarke and Petrie went close before McGonigle’s strike rattled the underside of the bar and bounced away to safety.

In the 38th minute, Morris made it 3-0 with his 19th goal of the season. McGonigle laid the ball off and Morris took a touch to beat his marker before firing into the net with a powerful low shot.

Inside the last five minutes of the half, Nantlle pulled a goal back after a neat passing move saw the ball worked towards Ashley Owen in space on the left side of the penalty area. Owen beat Carl Jones with a well-placed low shot.

Vale could have been level by the break, Jamie Jones twice denied by Carl Jones, while Ashley Owen fired over from a promising position.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 3-1 NANTLLE VALE

In the opening minutes of the second half, Morris stung Roberts’ palms with a shot that the visiting keeper gathered at the second attempt. At the other end, Aaron Griffiths almost made it 3-2.

On the hour, Petrie’s shot was parried by Roberts.

Carl Jones saved well before the game entered a period when the two sides cancelled each other out.

Late on, Owen had a chance inside the box but Carl Jones came out to smother his shot.