CATCH-UP: Cymru North – wins for Bangor 1876, Denbigh, Airbus, Ruthin, Mold, Gresford, H’well and Llandudno

JD CYMRU NORTH – REPORTS AND TABLE FEBRUARY 9-10

Bangor 1876 2 Caersws 0

Report: Jonathan Ervine

Bangor 1876 will target a fourth straight league win this Saturday when they travel to Guilsfield for their latest Cymru North test.

Four victories in a row would represent 1876’s best run since they joined the Tier 2 league this season.

They began the 2023-24 campaign with three league wins on the bounce, but have not bettered that yet.

Michael Johnston’s side have faced Guilsfield twice previously this season – both at home. They triumphed 2-1 in the league, but were beaten by the same score early on this term in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup.

Guilsfield are always a highly competitive team in the Cymru North and very worthy of respect.

Bangor’s most recent outing saw them defeat Caersws 2-0 at Nantporth last weekend – a game which saw the amazing Corrig McGonigle reach 25 goals in all competitions this season.

Bangor were first to threaten when Sam Jones latched onto an attempted clearance on the edge of the but his half volley went narrowly wide.

Caersws had a great chance following a quick counter attack. The ball reached Craig Harris in space at the back post, but he side-footed over the bar.

Just after the half hour, it was Bangor who took the lead. Harry Galeotti controlled a long ball forward, beat his man and played an inviting delivery across the face of goal. It was side-footed in at the back stick by league top-marksman McGonigle, 22 in the league and 25 in all matches.

Caersws continued to press for an equaliser and came close when Sam Phillips’ cross deflected off Joe Culshaw and looped just over the bar. From the resulting corner, Ashley Harries headed over from close range.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 1-0 CAERSWS

The Bluebirds continued to pose dangers early in the second half, Neil Mitchell heading over and Hesden denied by Huw Shaw.

As had happened in the first half, however, 1876 found the net slightly against the run of play. After receiving the ball in a central position, Galeotti dribbled left and played a neat pass to Sam Jones, who doubled the lead with a well-placed low shot.

Bangor were now on top, Jones firing over from 25 yards before McGonigle forced a fine stop from Steffan Jones.

Caersws kept trying till the end, but this was not their day.

Buckley Town 1 Denbigh Town 2

Report: Ollie Beech

These two teams cannot stop serving up excitement!

One could write a book about their encounters this season alone.

Way back in August, Bucks defeated the Vale of Clwyd reds 3-0 in the Nathaniel MG Cup, but Denbigh have delivered a triple dose of revenge since.

Dewi Llion’s side triumphed 6-2 at Globe Way in the WBS Blood Service League Cup in September, then three weeks later, an unbelievable league encounter at Central Park ended 6-5 to Denbigh.

So, after 22 goals in their first three meetings this term, whatever would Saturday’s league return at Deeside Stadium throw up?

How about a last-gasp penalty to settle the argument?

Josh Lock opened the scoring for Denbigh before Josh Jones levelled before half-time. And it took until the final stages for Owen Davies to step up to convert and record Town’s third win over Buckley this season.

Manager Dewi Llion named one change to the side that beat Porthmadog eight days previous, as goalkeeper Jimmy McHarrie made his debut for the unavailable Aaron Jones.

McHarrie was soon in action, rushing out from his goal to thwart James Rutter.

The 13th minute proved unlucky for the hosts as Town took the lead with a superb move. McHarrie launched the ball forward for skipper Paul Fleming to cleverly head on to Lock, the youngster took a touch forward before drilling it under the goalkeeper.

Dion Gibbins almost provided a superb assist for Nathan Brown, the recent signing scooping the ball to the back post where Brown, at an angle, couldn’t beat the keeper.

Matthew Worrall was next to be denied by Bucks stopper Ryan Goldston.

Buckley drew level just after the half-hour, Jones from 25 yards saw the ball drop to himself and he lashed at it, evading McHarrie and striking the inside of the post before crawling over the line.

Both keepers produced superb saves to ensure it remained 1-1 at half time.

Much-improved in recent matches, Buckley began the second half in superb fashion, coming close on a number of occasions but not quite finding the back of the net. Sion Jones doing really well to block one effort on the line.

On 64 minutes, Owen Davies was introduced from the bench alongside Kyle Cooper, and immediately began harassing the hosts’ back-line.

With just two minutes to go, he darted down the left before crossing, but it hit the hand of a defender and following consultation from the assistant, the referee pointed to the spot.

Davies picked the ball up, and calmly dispatched sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to ensure a dramatic finale.

Airbus UK Broughton 6 Prestatyn Town 0

Airbus continue to be an immovable force at the summit of the table following an emphatic 6-0 home win over Prestatyn Town.

All six goals came from different scorers, with Craig Lindfield, Nick Rushton, Sam Baker and Dan Collins putting Mark Allen’s side 4-0 up inside the opening 24 minutes. Kaiden Cooke and James Davies came off the bench and found the net late on to wrap up the victory.

Chirk AAA 1 Ruthin Town 2

Ruthin left it late to secure three points in their 2-1 victory away at bottom-of-the-table Chirk AAA.

It was the struggling Colliers who took the lead after just nine minutes through Louie Middlehurst, but Harry Martin equalised on 39. The winner arrived in the 86th minute as Jason Clark picked a vital moment to score his first Ruthin goal.

Guilsfield 0 Mold Alexandra 3

Fourth-place Mold returned to winning ways in comfortable fashion with a 3-0 victory away at Guilsfield.
Danny Warren, just named Cymru North Player of the Month for January, continued his remarkable goalscoring form to break the deadlock in the 24th minute, before defender Steve Watkins netted a brace in the second half.

Porthmadog 2 Llandudno 3

Late-goal specialists Llandudno staged a remarkable comeback to triumph 3-2 against Porthmadog at Y Traeth.

Goals from Danny Brookwell and Gethin Thomas saw Port take a stunning 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes as they aimed to end their eight-match losing streak.

That was the way it remained until the 84th minute when Llandudno captain Rowan Davies pulled one back.

And it was jitters time for the hosts when Josh Banks was shown a second yellow card three minutes later.

But as the clock hit 90 it was still Porthmadog who were collecting the three points.

However, Llandudno are the kings of late drama and they equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Fabrizio Murtas.

Four minutes later, recent signing Karl Clair netted the winner to spark wild scenes of celebration for the away side.

Holywell Town 1 Flint Town United 0

This match was reported on in detail by Grassroots North Wales on Saturday.

Jamie Breese’s 14th minute goal sealed a vital three points for the Wellmen, who leapfrogged arch rivals Flint into second place.

Llanidloes Town 0 Gresford Athletic 2 (Friday)

A welcome return to winning ways for Gresford who climbed up to ninth in the table with a 2-0 victory away at Llanidloes Town on Friday night.

Charley Edge opened the scoring in first half stoppage time before Toby Gallagher-Keenan came off the bench after the break to add a second.