Betws off the mark with first win under new manager – guess who it is?

Played one, won one. That’s the record of new Betws-y-Coed manager Paul Maxwell

Guess who is the new manager of Betws-y-Coed FC?

None other than Paul Maxwell, former boss of Rhyl Dragons, who folded last month.

And Maxwell made a dynamic start in charge today as his Betws side defeated Rhyl All Stars 3-2 in a North Wales Coast West Division One clash at the OPS Wind Arena in Llandudno.

It was Betws’ first win since December 2021, although in fairness, they did miss the whole of the 2022-23 season to take a break from football.

Nonetheless, it was a first victory for the Conwy Valley outfit in 22 matches which had brought three draws and 19 defeats.

Betws were without a win in 10 league starts this season until today. They are still bottom of the table, but are now just a point behind the team above them, Prestatyn Wanderers.

Maxwell has signed a number of ex-Dragons for his new club, including this afternoon’s hat-trick hero Jack Gibbon, Saeed Jones, Martin King and Kevin Gorry.

Asked how much of a difference it is between managing a team in Rhyl and a new area 30 miles away, Maxwell said: “I’m just loving the project trying to turn it around here. And if you love the game you travel wherever it takes.”

Today’s match at Llandudno saw Betws take a first-minute lead through Gibbon from a Billy Reynolds corner.

Owen Hughes levelled for All-Stars on eight minutes, but before half-time Gibbon struck again following another Reynolds flag-kick.

Into the second half and it became 3-1 on 50 minutes when Gorry was fouled in the box and Gibbon completed his treble from the spot.

Shane Roberts did pull one back for All-Stars from another penalty, but Betws held on for a great three points.

BETWS-Y-COED

Martin King
Pete Jones
Dan Gilbert
N/A
N/A
Dylan Powell
Connor Court
Luke Remnant
Jack Gibbon
Saeed Jones
Kevin Gorry
SUBS (all used)
Ian Tester
Connor Eglestaff-Thomas
Simon Blain
Gerallt Jones
Adam Stevenson