Cymru North: Airbus now clear leaders after 1876 lose at Mold, Guilsfield off the mark

JD CYMRU NORTH

Llanidloes Town 1 (Bird 31)
Airbus UK Broughton 5 (Eyre 40, Evans 45+3, Palmer 62, Baker 71, Peers 87 pen)

Despite falling a goal behind Airbus bounced back to record a fourth straight win and claim outright leadership of the Cymru North.

The visitors started very brightly and created plenty of chances but lacked an end product, Craig Lindfield and Jordan Evans going close.

Against the run of play, Llanidloes found themselves 1-0 up when Connor Bird netted in the 31st minute.

In the 40th minute, the Wingmakers grabbed a well-deserved equaliser after great work from Lindfield set up Jake Eyre for a fine finish.

Added time at the end of the first half saw the hosts earn a free kick just outside the box

Jordan Evans stepped up to strike a superb effort which could only be pushed into the roof of the net by keeper Luke Evans.

Airbus began the second half powerfully and on the hour mark, Joe Palmer’s 25 yard wonder hit found the top corner for 3-1.

Substitute Sam Baker added number four on 71 minutes, taking advantage of great closing down work from Eyre.

Five minutes remained when Airbus were awarded a penalty, which George Peers calmly converted.

Mold Alexandra 3 (Warren 18, Duffy 70, Cox OG 86)
Bangor 1876 1 (McGonigle 45+2)

Bangor 1876 lost their 100 percent league record as Mold ran out deserved winners at Alyn Park.

Whilst the visitors showed promise in the early stages, the Alex took a 16th minute lead when Danny Warren volleyed Rhys Nash’s cross into the net.

1876 had an almost immediate chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty.

Alex Swindell, the home keeper, was adjudged to have committed a foul, but Sam Jones saw his effort saved.

For the rest of the half both sides swapped attacks. The next notable moment occurred in the 38th minute when defender Iolo Hughes was replaced by top-scorer Corrig McGonigle

A decisive moment seemed to have arrived for 1876 in the 44th minute. Liam Morris ran into the area with the ball and found McGonigle with an expertly-judged square pass.

McGonigle then calmly dispatched his seventh goal of the season and 400th of his career (see separate article on Grassroots North Wales) with an assured finish.

Morris almost put 1876 into the lead with a shot that was well-saved by Swindell before Craig Whelan also had a good chance, but the scoreline remained equal as half time arrived.

Both sides began the second half in a positive frame of mind. The first action of note included the Alex forcing Carl Jones to make a good save from the proverbial point-blank range.

Les Davies missed an opportunity to edge the away side in front before Mold made it 2-1 in the 67th minute.

A skillful pass from Joe Ormrod found Sam Duffy in enough space that he was able to advance towards goal and calmly score past Jones.

The blues in red pushed hard for an equaliser, but the home lead was extended in the 85th minute when Dan Cox inadvertently scored an own goal.

Bangor pressed till the end, but with Swindell in good form Mold were not to be denied.

Porthmadog 0
Guilsfield 1 (Matthews pen 81)

Iwan Matthews’ 81st minute penalty was enough to secure three points for a Guilsfield side whose high pressure, high intensity game proved decisive in bringing them a first win of the campaign.