With 20 league goals and 24 across all competitions in just 16 games, Kaine Bentley is one of the North Wales stars of the 2023-24 season so far.
The 20-year-old Gwalchmai ace banged in another hat-trick at the weekend as the Premier Division leaders saw off nearest challengers Nefyn United 4-2 at Maes Meurig.
Gwalch are now undefeated in their last 15 league and cup games and look well poised to push for the title in the new year.
In difficult conditions on Saturday, the ground staff working wonders to get the game on, Gwalchmai played with the wind in the first half and took just eight minutes to break the deadlock, Bentley unleashing a 25-yarder into the top corner.
Marc Evans rattled the post for the home side before on 15 minutes Gwalch were awarded a penalty and Bentley made no mistake.
Evans’ experience was key in inspiring the younger players around him. John Jones struck the woodwork after a solo run and it was well deserved when Evans, popularly known as ‘Logs’ made the scoresheet.
Josh Piper pulled one back for Nefyn and it was 3-1 at half time.
In the second half, Gwalchmai’s defence was rock solid against the strong wind.
And they made the points safe on 76 minutes when Josh Owen’s through ball released Bentley to complete his third hat-trick of the campaign.
Captain Llyr Williams’ late reply for the Penwaig was no more than scant consolation.
Unbeaten Bont moved four points clear at the summit after a four-goal triumph over Caergybi.
After a goalless first half at Cae Stanley, Luke Phillips edged the hosts in front four minutes into the second period.
Shaun Roberts, Cameron Owen and Alex Kalafusz added further goals to wrap up what was in the end a convincing success for the table-toppers.
Two first-half goals seven minutes apart from Dylan Griffiths and Andy Williams set up Cefni for an excellent three points at cup heroes Llanfairpwll.
Cian Griffiths-Jones was red-carded for the visitors on 29 minutes, but the visitors retained a two-goal lead until the break.
The second half was red-card crazy with Cefni’s Arwyn Williams, Kyle Jones and manager Graham Jones all getting their marching orders on the 55-minute mark.
Iwan Williams also saw red for Llanfairpwll, making it 10 aagainst eight with 35 minutes still to play.
Luke Winter pulled one back for ‘Pwll on 58, but there were no further goals, the eight-men taking maximum spoils from a feisty encounter.
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