JD Cymru North: Happy birthday Johno – here’s three points! Holywell’s unbeaten record ended by leaders

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS – DECEMBER 16

Bangor 1876 2 (McGonigle 38, Whelan 90)
Guilsfield 1 (Evans 28)

Jonathan Ervine describes the action

Bangor 1876 manager Michael Johnston enjoyed the perfect 36th birthday present on Saturday – three points which lifted his side up to sixth in the Tier 2 Cymru North.

And the capture of those points could hardly have been more dramatic with local lad Craig Whelan heading a 90th minute winner in front of an ecstatic Nantporth crowd.

On a cold and windy Saturday afternoon, 1876 and Guilsfield played out an entertaining encounter.

After an even start, Bangor’s Mason Blackwell-Jones played a neat pass through to Corrig McGonigle. The striker tried to nudge the ball past Robbie Williams but the Guilsfield goalkeeper saved with his feet.

After 28 minutes, it was the visitors who took the lead following a quick break. Iwan Matthews’ initial shot was blocked but Andrew Evans side-footed in the rebound.

Bangor responded positively, Iolo Hughes and Dan Cox going close with headers.

Eight minutes before the interval, the hosts drew level. After neat passing between Cai Powell-Roberts and Sam Jones on the right, the latter’s ball across the face of goal was fired in from close range by McGonigle for his 16th goal of the season.

Shortly afterwards, Guilsfield’s Jamie Hyne headed narrowly wide.

HALF-TIME: 1-1

Bangor made a lively start to the second half, Williams saving well from McGonigle’s stabbed effort before the ball was cleared for a corner following a goalmouth scramble.

With just under ten minutes left, the home side again went close as another goalmouth melee occurred after goalkeeper Williams failed to claim a corner.

Shortly afterwards Bangor thought they had scored after an inswinging corner from McGonigle hit the inside of the post. However, the officials ruled the ball hadn’t crossed the line before it was cleared.

Then came the dramatic conclusion. In the final minute of normal time, Whelan met Joe Culshaw’s free-kick with a downward header back across goal that found the net.

Eight and a half minutes into injury time, Guilsfield had a chance to get the ball into the box via a free-kick from near halfway. They looked set to side-foot in a late equaliser but were denied by a last-ditch challenge by Iolo Hughes. After the ball was cleared, the final whistle sounded.

Next up for 1876 is a home game against high-flyers Flint Town United on Wednesday 20 December (7.30pm).

Mold Alexandra 2 Denbigh Town 0

Revenge for Mold over a Denbigh side they had lost 3-2 against at Central Park last month.

It was a good recovery act from Michael Cunningham’s side following a 5-3 defeat in their last outing at leaders Airbus eight days earlier.

The first chance at Alyn Park on Saturday fell to Mold as a corner was headed wide at the near post by Rhys Nash.

Town replied with a chance of their own on 12 minutes, Matthew Worrall having a sight of goal from distance but blasting over.

Mold applied plenty of pressure with the wind in their favour, drawing Aaron Jones into two superb saves.

On 23 minutes Josh Lock almost put Town ahead when a corner routine fell to him but his curled shot narrowly missed.

An Alex free-kick from the left was swept in and clipped the bar.

Half-Time: 0-0

Perhaps Town’s best chance of the game fell on 54 minutes when Lock picked the ball up on the edge of the box and his side-footed effort was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Alex Swindell.

With just over 25 minutes to play, the deadlock was finally broken. Danny Warren ran onto a hopeful ball at the byline before crossing for Jake Roberts to nod home his 15th goal this campaign for Alex.

On 77 minutes that lead was doubled when Warren from just inside the box managed to slam the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 18 goals this term.

Late efforts from the visitors brought no reward.

Denbigh will aim to bounce back on Boxing Day when they take on Ruthin Town in the Vale of Clwyd derby at Central Park.

Holywell Town 1 Airbus UK Broughton 2

Leaders Airbus inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Holywell and moved six points clear at the summit.

With ongoing drainage work at Town’s Achieve More Training Stadium, the match was switched to Deeside Stadium in Connah’s Quay.

The Wingmakers threatened first when Oliver Lanceley was put through and the onrushing Shaun Pearson made a great save to deny him.

Town’s first real chance saw Brady McGilloway’s shot saved by ex-Wellmen keeper Keighan Jones.

After 20 minutes, the ‘home’ side took the lead. Gareth Evans unleashed a great shot into the top corner giving Jones no chance.

The visitors equalised a minute later when Jordan Evans slid the ball past Pearson into the bottom corner.

The goal gave Airbus the impetus and they made it 2-1 with 28 minutes on the clock as Evans in a similar position scored his second.

Holywell responded well. Mark Winslade was denied by Jones before Ryan Edwards’ free kick smashed against the post, the keeper then saving from the rebound.

McGilloway’s low ball from the byline only needed a touch for an equaliser, but unluckily for Town, there was no-one to apply it.

Town looked to strike at the start of the second half, Danny Andrews’ free kick kept out impressively by Jones.

Airbus had a big chance to kill the game when the unmarked Daniel Collins was in acres of space, but his shot flew wide of Pearson’s right-hand post from close range.

Pearson was then called into action, saving well from George Peers.

Holywell pushed for a leveller, but it would not come.

It got worse for the Wellmen when Myles Hart was sent off for pulling down an Airbus player who was through on goal.

From the resulting free kick, Pearson produced a good stop from Jordan Evans.

Town threw everything forward but were unable to grab the deserved equaliser.

Caersws 2 Buckley Town 2

All-square at the Recreation Ground, Rhys Hesden giving Caersws a second-minute lead before Connor Littler levelled on 14.

Liam Driscoll edged Bucks ahead on 55 but Neil Mitchell made it 2-2 after 74 and that was the end of the scoring.

Ruthin Town 6 Llanidloes Town 1

A welcome and emphatic win for Ruthin, who had not registered a victory in their last seven attempts.

Sam Jones, Luke Molmans, Gwion Owen (2), Tom Dyer (penalty) and Keyni Mills split the home goals, Rhys Evans with a consolation for the Daffs.