Cymru North catch-up: Fixtures, table and match reports from a busy week
CYMRU NORTH CATCH-UP
This weekend’s fixtures
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Denbigh Town v Chirk AAA
Gresford Athletic v Flint Town United
Llandudno v Airbus UK
Llanidloes Town v Guilsfield
Prestatyn Town v Bangor 1876
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
Mold Alexandra v Holywell Town
Porthmadog v Buckley Town
Ruthin Town v Caersws
TABLE AFTER MATCHES PLAYED TUESDAY, MARCH 5
REPORTS – SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Many thanks to http://www.cymrufootball.wales for their assistance with reports
Airbus UK Broughton 3-1 Denbigh Town
Craig Lindfield’s double steered league leaders Airbus to a 3-1 win over Denbigh Town at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
The Wingmakers made the breakthrough in the 24th minute as Denbigh goalkeeper Aaron Jones could only parry James Davies’ effort straight into the path of 17-year-old Kaiden Cooke, who made no mistake from close range.
The visitors hit back five minutes later through TNS loanee Owen Davies, who broke in behind the Airbus defence before calmly slotting past Mitchell Jones for his fourth goal in as many games.
However, Mark Allen’s side quickly restored their lead as Lindfield poked the ball home from Cooke’s cross to put his side ahead at the break.
Lindfield grabbed his second on the hour mark as his free-kick evaded everyone and nestled in the net.
Bangor 1876 0-0 Ruthin Town
Only a second 0-0 draw in Bangor 1876’s five-year history was just about the right result.
Neither keeper was seriously tested before just after the half hour mark, Ruthin’s Joel Giblin broke down the left and cut into the box. He fed the ball back towards Charlie Williams, but the midfielder shot over the bar from seven yards out.
Visitors’ manager Phil Hudson didn’t return to the dugout for the second period after receiving a red card during half-time.
Five minutes into the second half, Gwion Owen had a great chance for Ruthin after he beat the offside trap and broke into the box but was crowded out by a combination of Iolo Hughes and Huw Shaw.
Bangor keeper Shaw appeared to land awkwardly and was stretchered off. He was replaced by Carl Jones.
Both sides fired efforts off target before in injury time, 1876’s Liam Morris fired in a powerful shot from a tight angle but it was parried out for a corner by Daniel Goldston.
The visitors broke almost immediately following the corner and centre back Vita Mbolokele found himself clean through on goal. However, his shot was saved by Carl Jones.
It was 1876’s first draw of the season.
Caersws 1-2 Flint Town United
Title challengers Flint stayed in the hunt as they defeated Caersws 2-1 thanks to Ben Hughes’ sublime double.
Hughes netted the opener on 14 minutes with a sweetly struck effort from 25 yards out before the youngster doubled his tally at the start of the second half after tapping home Jake Phillips’ cross at the back post.
Caersws’ Rhys Hesden gave his side a late lifeline in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but it proved to only be a consolation for the Bluebirds.
Chirk AAA 1-4 Mold Alexandra
Chirk AAA’s relegation from the JD Cymru North was confirmed after the Colliers were beaten 4-1 by Mold.
The Alex captain Rhys Nash headed home the opening goal from Danny Warren’s corner early on, but Max McLaughlin levelled from the penalty spot just 10 minutes later.
However, Mold opened up a two-goal lead at the interval thanks to quickfire goals from Steve Watkins and Josh Watkin, before Jake Roberts’ first goal of 2024 wrapped up the win after the break.
Guilsfield 2-3 Llandudno
What has become a trademark dramatic finish from Llandudno this season saw the Seasiders pull a stunning victory out of the fire in Powys.
Iwan Matthews scored his 13th league goal of the season to put the Guils in front in the 35th minute, but Ethan Roberts equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Fabrizio Murtas put Llandudno ahead nine minutes into the second half, but they were pegged back in the 84th minute by Jamie Hyne, who thought he had rescued a point for the Guils only for Danny Holland to convert a 90th-minute penalty to restore the visitors’ advantage.
Guilsfield had the chance to make it three apiece in the seventh minute of stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but teenage goalkeeper Joe Angus saved Matthews’ spot-kick.
Porthmadog 0-1 Gresford Athletic
Charley Edge scored a stunning 87th-minute free kick as Gresford Athletic narrowly defeated Porthmadog 1-0 at Y Traeth.
With both sides deadlocked at 0-0, Edge sent a thunderous effort into the top corner to earn the Colliers a win which moved them up into the top half. Port remain in the relegation zone.
TUESDAY – MARCH 5
These matches were reported on in more depth by Grassroots North Wales on Tuesday evening.
Holywell Town 3 Buckley Town 0
It is now a perfect 10 straight league wins for Holywell following Tuesday’s impressive 3-0 success over a resurgent Buckley.
Danny Andrews, Jamie Breese and Morgan Murray delivered the Wellmen’s goals.
Prestatyn Town 1 Mold Alexandra 1
It finished all-square at Bastion Gardens, where a 79th minute equaliser from Macauley Taylor rescued a point for Prestatyn after the prolific Danny Warren put Mold ahead on 12 with his 28th goal of the season.