Friday night North Wales football – thrilling action all the way
NORTH WALES FOOTBALL REPORTS – FEBRUARY 16
JD CYMRU NORTH
Ruthin Town 5 Llandudno 4
Another of Llandudno’s famous fightbacks could have earned them a point but in the end it was Ruthin who deservedly claimed the honours.
This was a Friday night classic at the Memorial Playing Fields which saw the hosts always in command only for two stoppage time goals by the visitors giving the final score a much closer appearance than perhaps was the case.
Recent months have seen Llandudno produce some stunning comebacks, none more so than seven days previously, when they trailed 2-1 at Porthmadog with 90 minutes gone, yet turned things around dramatically to win 3-2.
This time, however, a Ruthin outfit which led 4-1 and 5-2, had done enough to secure the spoils.
The win lifted Town up to seventh in the table, while Tudno now lie 10th.
The game could hardly have had a more dramatic start.
On three minutes, Ruthin were awarded a penalty. Tom Dyer took but Michael Jones saved, however from the rebound the hosts earned another spot-kick which this time Jake Hughes-Hampson converted.
Town were really fired up. In the 16th minute, Jason Clark made it two goals in two from an Ethan Davies assist, then on 20, Davies turned scorer with Gwion Owen the supplier.
Hughes-Hampson struck again on 39 and Llandudno appeared to be facing a pasting, but we are talking about the comeback kings here, and before the break goals from Fabrizio Murtas and Danny Holland had reduced the arrears to 4-2 at half time.
After the first half had produced six goals, there were no more until the 71st minute, Owen setting up sub Charlie Williams for Ruthin’s fifth. Remember the comedian Charlie Williams? He was a good footballer too!
Was that game over? It appeared so, but this Llandudno side sometimes produce their finest work after the 90.
Karl Clair, who bagged the winner at Porthmadog, made it 5-3 on 91 and when Billy Nicholas pocketed another for the visitors four minutes into time added on, Ruthin supporters must have been yearning for the final whistle.
It came, and the good work the home side had done for the majority of the match stood them in good stead for the three points.
Llanidloes Town 1 Mold Alexandra 5
While three points were the most important thing from a Mold point of view, perhaps the biggest talking point after Friday’s victory at Victoria Park was the quality of goal scored by centre-back Dafydd Griffith.
The veteran 37-year-old defender, hero of many great Holywell Town adventures of the past, is a Mold star of the present, as he proved with his overhead kick goal to make it 4-1 – subject of much social media celebration afterwards!
Fourth-place Mold closed the gap on Flint immediately above to six points with a seventh Cymru North victory in eight outings – could they yet launch a title challenge?
Next-to-bottom Llanidloes actually struck first, Connor Bird converting on 15 minutes after his penalty attempt was kept out.
Steve Watkins made it six league goals in as many games with a 29th minute equaliser from a Danny Warren assist and close to the break, Charlie Davies set up Sam Duffy to make it 2-1 at half time.
Duffy completed a double after 50 and the points were definitely heading to Alyn Park after Griffith’s wonder effort on 58, The defender had tried to score in this manner a few previous times this term, but on Friday he nailed it.
The only thing now missing for Michael Cunningham’s side was a Warren goal and sure enough it arrived on 72 minutes. Joe Ormrod delivered the assist and Warren put away his 28th goal of the season in all competitions. Just reward for the Cymru North Player of the Month for January.
FAW RESERVE LEAGUE NORTH CUP
The New Saints Reserves 2 Flint Mountain Reserves 2 (Saints won 5-3 on penalties)
Mountain led 2-0 at the FAW Reserve League North leaders before SaInts fought back to level the tie and then win on penalties.
Ryan Kershaw and Dylan Owens scored a minute apart in the first half to give the visitors a healthy interval advantage. Assists were given by Owens and Tom Harrison.
Veteran and club record goalscorer Greg Draper halved the deficit on 68 before Oliver Blaney levelled after 74.
NORTH WALES COAST WEST PREMIER LEAGUE
Talysarn Celts 3 Glantraeth 3
Substitute Darren Lewthwaite was the Glantraeth hero with a 93rd minute equaliser at Treborth Playing Fields, Bangor, under lights on Friday evening.
Iwan Sawicz handed Glantraeth a 24th minute lead, but Talysarn hit back to be in front by half time, Garem Jones and Luke Baum on target.
Andy Clarke brought the visitors back on terms early in the second half, but the prolific Baum restored the home advantage on the hour with his 14th goal of the campaign.
It looked to be heading for a Celts win until fellow sub Shaun Monument set up Lewthwaite for the added time leveller.