JD Cymru North: Mountain stun Holywell, top two Airbus and Colwyn Bay both victorious

JD CYMRU NORTH TABLE AND REPORTS – OCTOBER 12, 2024

Holywell Town 1 Flint Mountain 2

Holywell Town have been such a powerful force for so many seasons, it is difficult to think of them having a bogey side.

However, after this weekend’s action, Flint Mountain certainly appear to be becoming the Wellmen’s jinx opponent.

On Saturday afternoon at the Bartons North Wales Stadium, Cymru North newcomers Mountain pulled off a somewhat unexpected 2-1 victory over the champions.

It was a third win in a row for Aden Shannon’s side over Town.

Last season, Mountain defeated Holywell 2-0 in the NEWFA Challenge Cup semi-final on their way to winning the trophy.

And earlier in the campaign, the 2023-24 Ardal North West champions also knocked the Wellmen out of the Welsh Cup by a 3-1 margin.

Saturday brought the first meeting between the sides at league level.

Holywell made a dream start by taking the lead with three minutes on the clock. Danny Sullivan whipped in a great free kick, Gareth Evans controlled and then fed the ball through to Danny Andrews, who fired the Wellmen into the lead.

The visitors drew level after 16 minutes. A good move saw Rob Hughes get into the box and going away from goal, he was brought down by keeper Ryan Woods.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Hughes drilled low into the bottom corner.

Andy Brown’s effort flashed wide for the visitors, before at the other end Jake Cooke’s diving header came flying back off the post and cleared.

With 38 minutes gone, the visitors took the lead. Jack Sconce threaded the ball through to Mike Hayes who lashed past Woods.

Half-time: Holywell 1-2 Mountain

Three minutes into the second half, Flint Mountain were reduced to 10 men when Aaron Simpson saw red after a challenge on Jamie Breese.

Holywell pressed for the equaliser and on 66 minutes Breese let fly, but John Danby pulled off a great point blank save.

Substitute Mark Winslade’s header went close, then Sullivan tried his luck from distance and was not too far away.

Cooke and Winslade had further near misses, but it was not Holywell’s day.

Caersws 3 Buckley Town 0

Goals from Craig Harris, man of the match Sam Phillips and Max McLaughlin secured maximum points for Caersws over a well below-par Buckley outfit.

Guilsfield 0 Colwyn Bay 5

Four goals from Gwion Dafydd, including a first half hat-trick, saw Bay make it 11 games unbeaten with a 5-0 victory at Guilsfield.

The second-place Seagulls moved five points clear of Holywell Town in third, who lost at home to Flint Mountain.

Bay were ahead on 18 minutes when great play by Josh Carey and Ethan Roberts down the left saw the latter beat his man and put the ball on a plate for Gwion Dafydd to score from two yards out.

Guilsfield keeper Luke Evans made a great save from Carey’s 25-yard shot, before Gwion Dafydd doubled the lead, curling a shot into the bottom corner.

ight on half-time Jamie Cumming was brought down in the area and Gwion Dafydd completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

In the 76th minute, Gwion Dafydd made it 4-0 with another great finish from just inside the area.

Rhys Williams made a good low save to protect Bay’s second successive clean sheet before Craig Lindfield knocked in the fifth goal in added time.

Llandudno 3 Llay Welfare 2

Omar Ibrahim’s 92nd minute goal clinched a vital victory for Llandudno in this battle of low-placed sides.

Jon Collo’s fine volley gave Llay a half-time lead, but just past the hour mark, two goals in a minute from Adam Stephens and Harvey Bennett put Tudno in front.

When the Welly levelled on 90 minutes through Cavan Daley, it looked to have earned them a point, but there was one last twist as Ibrahim bagged the decider.

After the final whistle, Ibrahim was shown a red card, as was Llay’s Ruben Lima Teixeira.

Mold Alexandra 0 Airbus UK 3

Airbus remain four points clear at the summit after making it 10 wins in 11 matches with a very impressive result at in-form Mold.

The Wingmakers took the lead on the half-hour. Sam Rickett, Jordan Evans and Jake Eyre combined to set up Sam Baker for a side-foot finish.

Eyre went close to a second before near to half time, Mold had a good chance to equalise when a scramble from the corner caused havoc in the Airbus box but Josh Stevenson produced an excellent block to deny the home team.

After Alex made a good start to the second period, Airbus doubled their goal tally just after the hour.

Jordan Evans drove at the Mold defence and his shot found its way across the box for Baker to tap in at the back post.

With 15 minutes left. Keighan Jones made a superb save from Craig Rogers to deny the hosts

Airbus countered, Baker playing a sublime pass into the path of sub Ollie Lanceley, who made it 3-0.

Penrhyncoch 1 Ruthin Town 3

An uplifting three points on the road for Ruthin.

A Jake Hampson penalty and Harry Martin net-finder gave the visitors a 2-0 half time lead, and Llyr Morris made it three after the break before Penrhyn notched a late reply through Tom Evans.

Prestatyn Town 0 Gresford Athletic 2

Gresford earned a much-needed three points at Bastion Gardens.

Athletic went close early through Paul Johnson’s header from a Charlie Mann corner, but the ball went wide of the post.

However, the Colliers were soon ahead, as Ilan ap Gareth scored his first goal of the season with a nice finish after nine minutes.

Prestatyn forced visiting stopper Lewis Dutton into a good save before Robbie Williams in the opposite goal performed marvels to deny Dominic Deacon and Dave Forbes in rapid succession.

The visitors did double their lead on 62 minutes. Forbes took the ball well in the box from a Josh Watkin cross, turned to face goal and slotted it home.

Things went from bad to worse for the Seasiders when Paddy Hamid saw red and was sent off in the 68th minute.