Ardal North West: Pwllheli stun leaders Rhyl 1879, Pesda upset odds, Nantlle march on

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – REPORTS JANUARY 13

Pwllheli 3 (Ainsworth 14 & 45+1, C Jones 72)
CPD Rhyl 1879 0

One of the surprise results of the season saw Pwllheli send league leaders Rhyl crashing to a second defeat on the bounce.

Beaten 4-2 at Nantlle Vale seven days earlier, the Lilywhites came a cropper at The Rec on Saturday and had their lead at the summit cut to five points.

With second-place Nantlle having two games in hand, the title race now has a much more open look to it.

Pre-match signs were good for 1879 manager Gareth Thomas, who had new signing Callum Parry ready to play, while the home side had not kept a clean sheet since September.

However, Pwllheli were in buoyant mood, having grabbed a last-minute winner against Holyhead Hotspur the week before.

The visitors started well, Sam Ashton delivering a wonderful ball into new man Parry, who turned and shot just past the post.

Having soaked up the early pressure, the home side would see success from their first chance at goal on 14 minutes.

A short throw-in out on the left saw Ashley Ainsworth with his back to goal, turn the defender and enter the box, his shot finding its way under keeper Ryan Woods and over the line.

Rhyl rallied and on 22 minutes Oli Buckley fired low across the goal, but Pwllheli keeper Morgan Jones at full stretch was able to get a fingertip on the ball to push it onto the post before it rebounded back into his hands.

Pwllheli would double their lead late in the first half. Ainsworth capitalised on a defensive error and calmly lifted the ball over Woods for his 10th league goal of the season and 13th in all competitions.

A 50-50 tackle between Alex Jones and Pwllheli’s Ainsworth led to an altercation which saw the Rhyl man sent off.

With 10 men for the second half, the Lilywhites were right up against it.

The second half saw much of the same by Rhyl, positive play but unable to be clinical when chances presented themselves.

A handball by a Pwll defender led to the referee pointing to the spot, but on his assistant’s advice the chief official reversed the decision because Parry was apparently in an offside position.

Buoyed by their luck, the home side were able to add a third on 72 minutes, veteran Carl Jones applying a vintage classy finish for 3-0.

Brickfield Rangers 1-2 Nantlle Vale

Ashley Owen’s 90th minute goal ensured on-fire Nantlle Vale made it five successive wins in all competitions.

Second-place Vale are now just five points behind table-toppers Rhyl 1879 with two games in hand on fhe Lilywhites.

Cian Pritchard put Nantlle into a 20th minute lead, but Andy Vale levelled from a penalty on 28.

No further goals were scored until Owen’s 13th goal of the campaign for Sion Eifion Jones’ side clinched a massive three points.

Conwy Borough 1-5 St Asaph City

Despite the departure of their manager Matty Roberts to Prestatyn Town the day before, Saints got on with the task in hand in ruthless style as they hit five at Y Morifa.

Jake Walker notched a hat-trick for Saints, Jackson Brewerton and Tyler Joyce adding a goal apiece, Anthony Marshall replying for the hosts, who had Sean McCaffery red-carded on 80 minutes.

Hawarden Rangers 4-1 Y Felinheli

After going 11 league games without a win, Hawarden have turned the tide with two victories in a row, the latest an impressive show versus Felinheli at Gladstone Playing Fields.

James Ratcliffe (2, 1 pen), Iwan Jones and substitute Thomas Bridges were on the mark for the hosts, Gruff John with a consolation for Felin.

Holyhead Hotspur 2-1 Llay Welfare

Alex Jones’ 93rd minute winner banked the points for Hotspur after a hard-fought contest with visitors Llay.

Dylan Summers-Jones put the home side one-up on 11 minutes. Great closing down on the wing from Summers-Jones saw him make no mistake with great finish into the top corner.

It was not until 76 showed on the clock that substitute Michael Wright levelled things up.

However, there was a late twist when central defender Jones rose highest to head in a Jamie Pick corner.

Llannefydd 1-2 Bethesda Athletic

Bethesda upset the odds by claiming just their second league win of the season – both victories coming against Llannefydd.

Having whipped Llan 6-1 at Parc Meurig back in August, Pesda had not won in the league in 10 attempts since, but it came good on Saturday thanks to first half goals from Scott Hughes and Daniel Hughes.

The home side did reply through Sam Jones, but that was not until the 94th minute.

Llanrwst United 3-1 Saltney Town

A welcome first win for Llanrwst under new manager Matt Sampson.

Saltney grabbed a third-minute lead through Sean Williams, but Sam Thomas made it 1-1 on 25.

After the break, two goals in six minutes from Sion Roberts and veteran former player-manager Leighton Griffiths won the day for the Rwsters.