CATCH-UP: Cymru North – this Saturday fixtures and last weekend’s match reports

JD CYMRU NORTH TABLE AND WEEKEND FIXTURES (Saturday, January 20 – 2 pm kick-offs unless stated)

Airbus UK Broughton v Flint Town United
Buckley Town v Prestatyn Town
Chirk AAA v Caersws
Guilsfield v Ruthin Town (2.30 pm)
Holywell Town v Bangor 1876
Llandudno v Gresford Athletic
Llanidloes Town v Denbigh Town
Porthmadog v Mold Alexandra

REPORTS – SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

Bangor 1876 3-2 Chirk AAA

Corrig McGonigle’s ninth goal in eight matches helped 1876 to a close-fought and vital win over basement battlers Chirk at Nantporth Stadium.

McGonigle remains Cymru North top-scorer on 18 league goals and now has 21 in all competitions this season.

On a cold wintry afternoon, the visitors threatened first when Jack Edwards broke into the penalty area but Huw Shaw smothered his shot.

Soon after Bangor created a chance, goalkeeper Jack David Edwards doing well to turn a shot by Sam Jones around the post.

In the ninth minute, Bangor took the lead. Cai Powell-Roberts’ ball across goal took a deflection off a visiting defender and Craig Whelan scored from close range.

With 32 minutes gone, Bangor came close to doubling their lead when Mason Blackwell-Jones showed neat footwork before his shot was well saved by Edwards.

The Chirk keeper then pulled off an excellent save to tip Powell-Roberts’ follow up shot over the bar.
Edwards was having a busy first half, next saving bravely at the feet of Blackwell-Jones.

Seven minutes before the break, the visitors levelled when Max McLaughlin turned and fired in a powerful shot from a tight angle that beat Shaw.

Whelan went close to make it 2-1 twice before the break.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 1-1 CHIRK AAA

Chirk started the second half well before McGonigle’s shot on the half volley was smartly kept out by Edwards.

Moments later, Whelan looked set to break through on goal but unfortunately pulled up with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Dale Davies, who joined recently from Chirk. Minutes after coming on, Davies headed narrowly wide.

Midway through the second half, Bangor regained the lead when McGonigle found the bottom right corner via a free-kick.

Chances fell at both ends before on 78 minutes it was 3-1. McGonigle swung in a corner from the left and Tom Clarke scored with a powerful header.

McGonigle was then denied a second by the umpteenth fine Edwards stop of the afternoon.

With the clock ticking down, Chirk got themselves right back into the game when Jack Edwards finished well.

A tense finish ensued but Bangor hung on to claim a precious victory.

Caersws 3-3 Airbus UK

Leaders Airbus UK Broughton staged a dramatic late comeback to salvage a draw in Powys.

The Wingmakers were stunned inside the first 20 minutes as Craig Harris and Neil Mitchell put the home side two-up.

George Peers grabbed a goal back for Airbus shortly after the half hour, but Rhys Hesden restored the Bluebirds’ two-goal cushion at the start of the second half.

However, Mark Allen’s side earned a point in remarkable fashion as stoppage time strikes from teenagers Brad Knight and Sam Baker drew them level.

Flint Town United 1-1 Guilsfield

With Airbus dropping points, Flint missed the chance to go top of the table as they were held to a draw at home to Guilsfield.
Jamie Hyne’s delightful chip put Guilsf a goal to the good at the break, but their resistance was broken

on the hour mark as Flint levelled when top-marksman Elliott Reeves’ thunderous effort from distance found the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Prestatyn Town 3-2 Porthmadog

Prestatyn made the ideal start under new manager Matty Roberts as Alfie Vaughan’s dream debut double inspired the Seasiders to a 3-2 home victory over Porthmadog.

Port went ahead in the 22nd minute through Danny Brookwell, but former St Asaph City and Connah’s Quay prospect Vaughan’s quickfire pair turned the game around by the half hour mark.

Substitute Tom Mahoney drew the visitors level on 76 minutes, but Prestatyn responded once more as Vaughan turned provider for fellow new signing Tom Weir to notch the winner and give Town a first league victory since October.

Mold Alexandra 4-1 Llanidloes Town

A Shane Duffy brace helped Mold Alexandra come back from a goal down to see off Llanidloes 4-1 at Alyn Park.

The visitors went ahead through Connor Bird’s penalty, but in-form Mold hit back to open up a two goal buffer in the first half courtesy of Steve Watkins’ strike and Duffy’s double.

Danny Warren then netted for a sixth consecutive game to round off a fourth straight league win for the Alex.

RESULTS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 12

Buckley Town 2 Ruthin Town 2

Denbigh Town 4 Llandudno 1

Gresford Athletic 0 Holywell Town 5

All these matches were reported on by Grassroots North Wales on Friday