JD Cymru North – Airbus win the battle of giants, home victory for Holywell keeps them flying
JD CYMRU NORTH
Airbus UK Broughton 3 (McManus 12, Evans 79, Lindfield 85)
Flint Town United 0
Leaders Airbus not only won the battle of the top-two, they also ended Flint’s 17-match unbeaten run in the Cymru North.
The Wingmakers proved great value for their victory at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.which edged them four points clear of the Silkmen at the summit, albeit Lee Fowler’s men have played three games less.
Airbus took a 12th minute lead when a corner from the right by Jordan Evans was volleyed home quite spectacularly by Tyler McManus.
It was almost two when George Peers saw his shot cleared off the line after new signing Nick Rushton set him up.
At the other end, Flint defender Lewis Sirrell hit a fierce shot which narrowly cleared the bar.
Early in the second half a long pass from Evans picked out Craig Lindfield, who was pulled to the ground by last-man defender Paddy Lacey.
The Flint player saw red and a penalty was awarded, but Lindfield’s effort hit the underside of the bar and the danger was cleared.
Mark Allen’s Airbus upped the pressure on the 10-men. Rushton played a ball into Peers, whose low drive did not miss by much.
A long ball was then flicked on which left Lindfield 1 on 1 with keeper Rhys Williams, who did well to push the resulting shot past the post.
When Airbus’ second goal did come it was a spectacular effort.
From all of 30 yards, Evans hit a fierce strike which moved in the air Roberto Carlos style and left keeper Williams with no chance.
On 85 minutes the points were sealed when an Evans corner from the left was met by Lindfield’s glancing header and the ball went in off the post.
Holywell Town 2 Bangor 1876 1
Holywell stayed on the title trail with a hard-earned victory over Bangor 1876 at the Achieve More Stadium.
The visitors started well, full-back Dan Cox’s curling shot flying inches wide of the post.
Sam Jones attempted a shot on the run a few minutes later but his effort went over the bar.
Holywell midfielder Ryan Edwards lashed over from the edge of the box before Carl Jones did well to save from Jake Cooke with his feet.
Just after the half hour, the hosts came close. There looked to be little danger when Julian Williams swung in a cross from the right but Cai Powell-Roberts’ attempted clearing header struck the crossbar before the ball was cleared.
HALF-TIME: HOLYWELL TOWN 0-0 BANGOR 1876
Just before the hour, league top-scorer Corrig McGonigle managed to charge down an attempted clearance by home goalkeeper Shaun Pearson but the Holywell stopper recovered well to pull off a fine double save.
A few minutes later, the hosts took the lead somewhat against the run of play. A ball into the box was controlled well by substitute Mark Winslade who netted with a powerful low shot.
Twice McGonigle nearly equalised, before entering the final 20 minutes, the hosts doubled their advantage following a Bangor corner.
The ball was played upfield and Jamie Breese got past Joe Culshaw before rounding Carl Jones and finding the net.
Bangor continued to press. Tom Clarke’s shot was turned round the post at full stretch by Pearson. From the resultant corner, Cai Powell-Roberts had better luck when he scored with a powerful shot to reduce the deficit.
Despite continued Bangor pressure, Holywell held out to secure a narrow victory.
Buckley Town 5 Prestatyn Town 1
With a whole new team bedding in, it is obvious miracles will not happen overnight for Prestatyn Town.
However, in their first away day under manager Matty Roberts, the Seasiders would have expected better than a 5-1 thrashing at a Buckley outfit not in the best of form.
Star of the show for Bucks was Jamie Reed, the veteran front man whose many former clubs include Prestatyn, where he featured in 2021-22.
Reed notched a hat-trick for new club Buckley, with Max Moore and Dylan Roberts also on target, while Tyler Jones bagged a late consolation for the visitors.
Guilsfield 2 Ruthin Town 1
Callum Bromley’s 82nd minute strike won the day for Guilsfield.
Iwan Matthews had given the hosts a 41st minute lead before Tom Dyer levelled with a penalty early in the second half.
Llandudno 2 Gresford Athletic 3
It’s now five defeats in six league outings for Llandudno, who were sunk by a late double from ex-Seasider Joe Chaplin.
Charley Edge’s goal ensured the visitors were one-up at half time, but new Australian signing Stevan Stanic-Floody made it all-square after 56.
Fabrizio Murtas struck a second for Llandudno on 72, but Chaplin equalised a minute later before bagging the decider on 79
Porthmadog 1 Mold Alexandra 2
A fifth league win on the bounce for Mold keeps them in the top four.
Eric Durnell struck first for Alex on 39 minutes, but Danny Brookwell made it 1-1 in first half stoppage time.
The winner came from the ever-consistent Danny Warren in the 83rd minute. Warren has pocketed 22 goals this term and has scored in each of his last seven matches.