Ardal North West: Nantlle beat leaders, Llangefni hit six, Llay and Pwllheli edge narrow wins

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

Nantlle Vale 4-2 CPD Y Rhyl 1879

It was a great day for Nantlle Vale as they ended leaders Rhyl 1879’s 11-match unbeaten league run with a fine performance at Maes Dulyn.

The Penygroes hosts entered Saturday’s game in good form, having won three on the bounce, and will have retained fond memories of an excellent 4-3 victory at Belle Vue towards the end of last season.

Rhyl had won 2-1 at Vale earlier last term, but were under no illusions that the opposition would be a tough nut to crack in this latest battle.

Referee Carl Hagan got the players together around the centre circle before the game as the Maes Dulyn crowd gave a minute’s applause in memory of former player, manager and committee member Hefin Foulkes, who recently passed away.

Rhyl started strongly, but were stung on five minutes when Nantlle striker Ashley Owen beat the offside trap, cutting in from the left and firing home spectacularly.

The home side saw blood and mounted an onslaught. But for brave defending from the visitors the score could have easily got out of hand.

As the pressure subsided, chances started to come for the Lilywhites but to no avail, and Vale were able to get a second just before the break, Caio Inch converting from a Jamie Jones through ball.

Half-time: Nantlle Vale 2-0 Rhyl 1879

The second half saw 1879 substitute Oliver Buckley cause havoc every time he had the ball at his feet.

Pressure was building from the travelling side, but on 72 minutes, and against the run of play, Jamie Jones would get Nantlle’s third.

Not letting the score deter them, Rhyl continued to push for a goal and they didn’t have to wait long. An Adam Hold corner on 74 minutes ended with an almighty goalmouth scramble and Macauley Taylor was able to force the ball over the line.

With the bit between their teeth, the Lilywhites pressed on and were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Mark Roberts outside the box with two minutes remaining.

Dead-ball specialist Hold dispatched a stunning strike that bent around the wall and into the far side-netting.

With the score at 3-2, 1879 went for the equaliser and paid the ultimate price, as Nantlle countered and Ashley Owen slotted into an empty goal to seal the points.

Vale’s Guto Gwenallt was shown a red card before the end.

Nantlle Vale: Oliver Jones, Aled Williams, Richard Jones, Sion Jones, Iwan Lane, Sion Williams, Jamie Jones, Ashley Owen, Harri Hughes, Caio Inch, Cai Morgan. SUBS USED: Aled Williams, Guto Gwenallt, Cian Pritchard.
Rhyl 1879: Ryan Woods, James Jones, Adam Hold, Miles Todd, Reece Fairhurst, Sion Williams, Sam Ashton, Alex Jones, Mark Roberts, Macauley Taylor, James Cairns. SUBS USED: Dan Sim, Oli Buckley, Meirion Pughe.

Llangefni Town 6-2 Saltney Town

Three late goals for Llangefni gave the final scoreline at Cae Bob Parry a slightly flattering look.

Visitors Saltney took a second-minute lead through George Davies, but by half time goals from Dan Thomas and Matty Jones had edged Cefni in front.

A missed penalty from Jones on 61 prevented the Anglesey hosts making it 3-1, but four minutes later Thomas did notch a third for the islanders.

Three minutes later, Sean Williams pulled one back for the Bordermen and suddenly it looked like game on again.

It remained 3-2 until the 89th minute when sub Iwan Jones bagged number four for Cefni.

John Littlemore and Iwan Jones added further net-finders in overtime to bring up the home half-dozen.

Llay Welfare 2-1 Conwy Borough

Substitute Owen Roberts’ 74th minute goal sealed a hard-fought win for the Welly at The Ring.

Scott Swords handed Llay a seventh-minute lead from a Jonathan Collo assist, but it was 1-1 at the break after Toby Jones levelled with the help of Isaac carey.

The hosts’ joint-manager Mike Gadie was shown a red card on 70 minutes, but there was better news for Llay when Roberts bagged the winner.

Pwllheli 2-1 Holyhead Hotspur

Pwllheli recovered from a goal down to celebrate their first league victory in five games.

Hotspur were one-up at the interval, Cory Williams maintaining his good form in front of goal thanks to a Sam Gregson assist.

Josua Lloyd Jones made it 1-1 on 74 minutes before Steffan Toplis grabbed the decider with 90 gone.