Friday reports: Great wins for Holywell, Denbigh and Cefn Albion
REPORTS – FRIDAY, JANUARY 12
JD CYMRU NORTH
Gresford Athletic 0 Holywell Town 5
Jake Cooke was a hat-trick hero as Holywell made it clear they are very much part of the Cymru North title race this season with a five-goal away hammering of Gresford.
Holywell dominated from the start at The Rock, Tom Bibby going close with a header before Dammy Andrews forced a great save out of Gresford keeper Michael Jones.
However, it took the Wellmen until added time in the first half to break the deadlock.
Andrews whipped in a great free kick and Danny Sullivan headed home the opener.
Haci Ozlu fired just over for the Colliers early in the second half before Holywell went two-up on 57 minutes.
Great play by Bibby saw him burst forward and fire at goal. Keeper Jones was only able to palm it into Cooke’s path and he tapped in for 2-0.
Cooke struck again on 66, embarking on a dynamic run before hitting a great shot into the top corner.
Morgan Murray added a fourth on 81 before Cooke completed a treble.
Julian Williams’ great through ball released Cooke, who cut inside, passed a defender and drilled into the bottom corner.
New signing from Cefn Albion, Callum Mannion, went close to a consolation for Gresford, but this was Holywell’s night.
Buckley Town 2 Ruthin Town 2
Llyr Morris struck five minutes into added time to earn Ruthin a dramatic point at Deeside Stadium.
Two goals late in the first half from Callum Humphries and Adam Boydell put Buckley in astrong position before Jake Hughes-Hampson replied for the visitors just before the interval.
The second half was goalless until Morris bagged that late, late equaliser.
Denbigh Town 4 Llandudno 1
Despite falling behind to a second-minute goal Denbigh fought back to record an emphatic win over their visitors at Central Park.
Llandudno could not have wished for a better start when their new signing, Australian Stevan Stanic-Floody put them in front with a great header.
Just the start Denbigh wanted to avoid as they sought to bounce back from their 4-0 New Year’s Day loss to Ruthin Town and it could have got worse for Dewi Llion’s men when Fabrizio Murtas struck the woodwork on 14 minutes.
Town had a goal disallowed before levelling after 23, fine work down the left by Billy Holmes leading to captain Paul Fleming smashing into the top corner.
The hosts nudged in front on 32 when Nathan Brown’s corner dipped directly into the net.
Denbigh went 3-1 up right on half time when a long ball from Ryan Kershaw found a visiting defender, but Brown brilliantly won possession to blast in his second.
The home side made the perfect start to the second half when after just two minutes Matthew Worrall was played in on the right and slotted home.
Brown went close to a hat-trick when he rattled the bar, but 4-1 did the Vale of Clwyd hosts very nicely.
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST
Llansantffraid 0 Cefn Albion 4
Two goals apiece from Josh Astley and Alex Williams made it a very good night for the Albion.
Astley converted a 15th minute penalty before completing his double on 40.
Early in the second half, Astley had a great chance to make it a hat-trick, but keeper David Jones saved his spot-kick.
With new signings Conner Kendrick and Leighton Kendrick adding quality to the side, Cefn stayed on top.
It remained 2-0 until added time, when Alex Williams struck twice, Conner Kendrick and Luis Hughes with the assists.