Cymru North: Late third goal seals Gresford second win at 1876 this season

JD CYMRU NORTH

Bangor 1876 1 (McGonigle 48)
Gresford Athletic 3 (Ozlu 27, Gallagher-Keenan 47, Spridgeon 89)

Report: Jonathan Ervine
Pictures: Matt Johnson

It could have been a different story had 1876 managed to grab an equaliser while on top after reducing the arrears to 2-1 early in the second half, but a late Gresford third clinched them a second win at Nantporth this season.

After an even opening 10 minutes, Athletic’s Dominic Deacon beat the offside trap and broke into the box but skewed his shot across goal and wide of the target.

Five minutes later, Gresford’s Paul Johnson strode forward and shot narrowly off target from 25 yards.

At the other end, Dan Cox entered the danger zone and his low shot across goal was deflected narrowly wide.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead after 27 minutes. Haci Ozlu got on the end of a long pass forward and beat Huw Shaw with a calm finish.

With 35 gone, Deacon nearly doubled Gresford’s advantage. He was initially denied by a save from Shaw before side-footing the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Moments later, Shaw again had to show good reactions to thwart Ozlu.

With half-time approaching, Bangor’s Liam Morris hit a shot from a tight angle that was well saved by Michael Jones.

Gresford’s Johnson had a good chance when he got on the end of a free-kick at the back post, but could only head into the side netting.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 0-1 GRESFORD ATHLETIC

Three minutes into the second period, Gresford doubled their advantage.

After an attack down the right the ball was played across the face of goal and turned home from close range by Toby Gallagher-Keenan.

Within a minute, Bangor got back into the game when Corrig McGonigle met a neat pass from Mason Blackwell-Jones and stabbed the ball past Jones.

Bangor then enjoyed a spell of pressure as they went in search of an equaliser but it was Gresford who had the next big opportunity.

Ozlu found space on the left of the penalty area and sent in a shot that Shaw did well to save with his legs.

With 20 minutes left, Shaw again foiled the visitors with his feet from Nathan Williams.

The hosts went agonisingly close to levelling when Cox’s shot seemed to be heading goalwards but took a deflection off Corey Jones and squirmed wide.

Gresford continued to threaten on the break and Shaw had to pull off another sharp save from substitute Joe Chaplin following a counter attack.

Inside the last five minutes Bangor threatened when Morris turned sharply on the edge of the box, but his powerful shot was repelled by Jones.

Following a corner kick to Bangor, Gresford then broke up the park with the clock ticking down. Sub Sam Spridgeon showed some pace to elude his marker and slot the ball past Shaw.

Bangor continued to battle away during injury time but there were no further goals.

BANGOR 1876

Huw Shaw
Dan Cox
Joe Culshaw
Corey Jones
Iolo Hughes
Tom Clarke
Mason Blackwell
Ben Owen
Gethin Thomas
Corrig McGonigle
Liam Morris
SUBS USED
Cameron Barry, Dylan Williams, Cai Powell-Roberts

GRESFORD ATHLETIC

Michael Jones
James Smith
Nathan Williams
Adam Hesp
Paul Johnson
Josh Griffiths
Simon Smith
Dominic Deacon
Leon Bennett
Toby Gallagher-Keenan
Haci Ozlu
SUBS USED
Harvey Ellis
Joe Chaplin
Charlie Mann
Sam Spridgeon

ATTENDANCE: 426