Nathaniel MG Cup reports – 1876 win a thriller at Holywell, Buckley and Porthmadog progress
NATHANIEL MG CUP FIRST ROUND – NORTHERN SECTION
Saturday, July 22
Holywell Town 2 (Edwards pens 26 & 90+3)
Bangor 1876 3 (McGonigle pen 65, Hughes 68, Clarke 87)
Report: Jonathan Ervine
Photos: Matt Johnson
Quite an upset as Bangor 1876’s first competitive game as a Cymru North club saw them win away at last season’s runners-up Holywell.
Saturday’s Nathaniel MG Cup first round tie played on a damp surface at the Achieve More Stadium saw the Wellmen 1-0 up at half time before the second period brought a major turnaround.
A much-awaited contest was full of drama from start to finish.
The hosts were first to threaten inside the opening minute when Morgan Murray’s powerful low effort flashed across the face or goal.
Craig Whelan and Les Davies fired off target for the visitors before new striker Sam Jones was bravely denied by Holywell goalkeeper Shaun Pearson.
In the 26th minute, the hosts won a penalty when Huw Shaw was adjudged to have brought down Mark Winslade. Zebb Edwards converted the spot-kick.
Bangor went close to a quick equaliser when a cross from Sam Jones deceived Pearson and came back off the woodwork.
Ten minutes before the interval, Corrig McGonigle swung in a corner from the left and a goalbound header from 1876 new centre half Iolo Hughes was blocked.
Shaw then saved a full stretch from Winsdale before Danny Andrews fired the rebound over from close range.
Joe Sullivan twice came close to a debut goal for Bangor before the break, a powerful low shot that Pearson turned round the post followed by a strike which cleared the bar.
Half-time: Holywell 1 Bangor 0
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts were reduced to 10 men. James Rutter caught Joe Sullivan with a late challenge and was instantly shown a red card. Sullivan was helped from the field after the impact of the challenge and replaced by Harry Galeotti.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts were next to threaten. Winsdale intercepted the ball and rounded Shaw but his attempt was cleared off the line by Tom Clarke.
The same player was soon denied again by a good Shaw save.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Bangor had a chance to equalize from the penalty spot after a foul on Sam Jones. McGonigle stepped up to take the kick and beat Pearson with a powerful shot down the middle.
In the 68th minute, Bangor took the lead in a somewhat fortuitous fashion. Following a free-kick on the left, an attempted clearance by Edwards struck Iolo Hughes and rebounded into the net.
Chances fell at both ends before with five minutes left, Bangor extended their advantage. McGonigle delivered from the left and Clarke turned the ball home.
In the third minute of injury time, the hosts were awarded a second penalty which was confidently.converted by Edwards.
Despite some further Holywell set-pieces before the final whistle, the Bangor defence held out to secure a hard-earned victory.
Porthmadog 4 Llanidloes Town 2
What a debut for Porthmadog’s new signing Shaun Cavanagh!
The striker netted all four goals in his team’s thrilling 4-2 success over Llanidloes at Y Traeth.
Cavanagh, in his second spell with Port where he was top scorer in his first stint in 2018-19, believes it is the first time he has netted four times in a senior game.
The 25-year-old completely stole the limelight in the second half, but at the break Craig Papirnyk’s side trailed 1-0 to a James Smallwood goal, despite having all the pressure.
Everything turned around in the second stanza as Cavanagh netted a seven-minute hat-trick, scoring on 48, 54 and 55 minutes.
Llanidloes were not quite finished as Smallwood notched his second on 61 to set up a tense final half-hour.
The tie was not truly settled until the 87th minute. Jason Banks made it a hat-trick of assists when he set up Cavanagh for his fourth.
Buckley Town 2 Mold Alexandra 1
Super sub Connor Littler bagged a late winner for Buckley just two minutes after coming off the bench.
Town took an 18th minute lead at The Globe through an Adam Smith goal and it remained 1-0 up until there was 72 on the clock when Eric Durnell equalised.
However, Littler took the field in the 77th minute and knocked in the decider on 79.
The drama was not over as Mold earned a penalty which Danny Warren took but Town keeper Ryan Goldston saved.
In the 93rd minute Alex’s Ellis Hickey was shown a red card.
Caersws 1 Guilsfield 3
Andrew Evans and Iwan Matthews (2, 1 pen) secured Guilsfield safe passage to the second round.
Neil Mitchell’s 11th minute penalty had put Caersws ahead, but Guils turned the tables in the second half with a three-goal salvo.
Friday results
Chirk AAA 0 Denbigh Town 1
Ruthin Town 3 Llandudno 2
BYES: Gresford Athletic, Prestatyn Town