JD CYMRU NORTH – Airbus still top, Flint rise to second, Denbigh level late, Port win again
REPORTS – FEBRUARY 23-24
Flint Town United 4 Bangor 1876 2
All that is good about North Wales football was on show in this game – goals, skill and two great sets of supporters.
Although their victory should have been more emphatic, Flint managed to return to winning ways with three points which lifted them back up to second in the table.
Bangor left with no reward, but gained more admirers in what is a promising debut season for them in Tier 2.
Ben Hughes had an early chance for the Silkmen, but was denied by a fine stop from 1876 keeper Huw Shaw.
On the quarter hour, Josh Jones deftly flicked over Shaw, who had raced out to meet him, but as the Flint man went to follow the ball in, it was cleared off the line.
A few minutes later, and the breakthrough was made, courtesy of a Jones spot kick after he was fouled by Shaw.
On 31 minutes, a swift counter from Flint doubled their advantage. Elliott Reeves received the ball near the halfway line, and swept it out to the right into the path of Jones.
After making progress down the flank, Jones crossed and Reeves met the ball to tap home.
With almost the final act of the first half. Bangor were awarded a vital lifeline, when Paddy Lacey handballed on the edge of the area to concede a penalty.
Corrig McGonigle tucked away the spot-kick to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Flint came out strongly in the second half, and the two-goal lead was restored in the 55th minute.
Following some great footwork by Reeves in the area, he pulled the ball back to Jones who slotted home.
The fourth home goal arrived on 75 minutes, Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro powerfully heading in Jake Phillips’ cross.
Roared on by their impressive support, Bangor never gave up, and could have pulled one back on 78 minutes. Harry Galeotti thwarted by a great block from home stopper Rhys Williams.
Five minutes from time, 1876 were awarded their second penalty of the game.
Cymru North top-scorer McGonigle converted for his 24th league goal of the season.
Denbigh Town 2 Guilsfield 2
Report: Ollie Beech
Ten-man Denbigh left it late as Owen Davies bagged a last-gasp equaliser.
Town, who had Nathan Brown sent off in the second half, trailed 2-1 after Jamie Hyne and Iwan Matthews’ goals surrounded that of Josh Lock.
But with seconds remaining and Denbigh staring at defeat, Davies lashed the ball home in stoppage time.
Close calls came from both sides early on, Matthew Worrall volleying against the post for the hosts.
Hyne struck the woodwork for the visitors before a corner by Denbigh’s Brown rattled the crossbar.
The scoring was opened on 32 minutes when a mistake from Dion Gibbins handed the ball to Hyne, who ran through and slotted past keeper Jimmy McHarrie.
Guilsfield should have doubled the lead on 41 minutes when Hyne attempted to round the keeper, but McHarrie made a superb stop.
Two minutes before the break Guils smacked the post again.
Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-1 Guilsfield
Town knew they had to improve in the second half and within eight minutes drew parity.
Worrall, superb down the left. fed the ball into Paul Fleming. He nudged it on to Lock who turned excellently and walloped into the top corner.
Guilsfield responded well and four minutes later shook the goal frame for the third time, Matthews the unlucky man on this occasion.
With 67 minutes played the visitors regained the advantage when Matthews ran through and slid the ball home.
Six minutes later it went from bad to worse for Denbigh as Brown was sent off for allegedly catching an opponent with a flailing elbow.
Despite this though, Town continued to put the pressure on.
Kristian Pierce came on in stoppage time as he continues his return to full fitness, and it proved to be a masterstroke.
The 30-year-old got the ball on the left after 93 minutes and crossed, it found Fleming who brought it down before another substitute, Owen Davies, blasted into the net.
Caersws 1 Gresford Athletic 1
An 88th minute equaliser from Craig Harris earned Caersws a point.
Gresford went close to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute, Dominic Deacon’s looping effort sailing wide.
Lewis Dutton was called into action in the 20th minute, making a good save to keep the score level.
The rest of the first half remained very even, and the teams went in for the interval at 0-0.
Athletic started the second half in the best way possible, Deacon grabbing the 52nd minute opener from a Toby Gallagher-Keenan assist.
The visitors retained their lead quite comfortably, until two minutes from time, Harris’ header made it 1-1.
Llanidloes Town 1 Porthmadog 2
Ah that old proverbial bus….wait ages for one, then two come along at once.
After nine straight defeats. the much-used phrase took on football connotations as Porthmadog made it two wins in a row.
Two visits to mid-Wales and six points in the bag, both with a 2-1 scoreline, with Saturday’s success coming at lowly Llanidloes.
The visitors took the lead on nine minutes.
A well-judged pass from the ever busy Gareth Jones Evans set up Caio Evans to find the net with a low drive.
With half-time just a couple of minutes away, Rhys Alun made it 2-0 from a Gethin Thomas assist.
After the break, however, Llanidloes made it clear that the game was anything but all over.
First the Daffs were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes. Elliott Jones aimed to the keeper’s left but Ollie Farebrother stood his ground and completed the save.
Just two minutes later, the hosts were on the scoreboard, experienced player-coach Adam Worton sending a corker of a dead-ball kick into the top corner.
Llani kept up the pressure and keeper Farebrother had to produce numerous important saves to keep it at 2-1.
Despite being under the cosh, the Port defence stuck to their task to see out a difficult second half and prevailed to repeat their narrow success against Caersws last weekend.
Mold Alexandra 0 Airbus UK 3
Taking on a Mold side which has been outstanding in league combat since the turn of the year, Airbus produced a performance worthy of table-toppers by scooping a 3-0 victory.
After a goalless first half, three net-finders in the second 45 sealed it for the Wingmakers, whose goalkeeper Keighan Jones was outstanding.
George Peers broke the deadlock with a 52nd minute penalty, Craig Lindfield doubled the lead on 62 and James Davies sealed the points with number three after 71.
Llandudno 1 Buckley Town 5
Buckley really turned on the style with a 5-1 victory at the OPS Wind Arena against a Llandudno outfit who fancied the job after recent strong performances.
Max Moore, Aled Bellis, Josh Jones, Liam Driscoll and Connor Littler shared the goals for Bucks, who led 2-1 at half time.
Fabrizio Murtas notched Llandudno’s consolation.
Prestatyn Town 2 Chirk AAA 1
A Connor Whelan own goal gave Chirk an early advantage at Bastion Gardens, but Prestatyn recovered to complete a quick double over the Colliers.
James Stead’s trademark free kick made it 1-1 at half time before Alfie Vaughan delivered the decider in the second period.
Alec Williams of the home side was dismissed for two yellows in the latter stages.
POSTPONED
Ruthin Town P Holywell Town P