JD Cymru North: 1876 prepare for a return to happy hunting ground, Bucks held at home

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS AND TABLE – JANUARY 4

Llay Miners Welfare 1 Bangor City 1876 1

Bangor City 1876 will return to the scene of one of their greatest triumphs this Friday.

Michael Johnston’s side visit Flint Mountain, where in 2022-23 they earned a dramatic 3-2 late-season victory which proved crucial in their eventual promotion to the Cymru North.

Mountain have joined them in tier 2 this season and lie sixth ahead of this weekend’s tussle, compared to 1876’s seventh spot. The teams are separated by just a point.

Bangor were denied maximum spoils at the weekend by a 96th minute penalty equaliser from Llay at The Ring.

The Welly threatened first, Jon Collo breaking into the penalty area but missing the target with a shot across goal.

At the other end, Liam Morris was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Max Peate.

Not long after the quarter hour mark, returning keeper Carl Jones had to make a sharp save to thwart Dylan Evans.

The visitors went close when Mason Blackwell-Jones jinked past several opponents on the way into the box. He took the ball round home goalkeeper Michael Platt, but Owen Payne got back to block his goalbound shot just in time.

Just before the break, 1876’s Joe Sullivan fired in a powerful shot from 30 yards that struck the crossbar.

Half-time: 0-0

In a lively start to the second half, there were chances at both ends, but after 63 minutes the deadlock was finally broken.

James Barry played the ball in from the left and Blackwell-Jones side-footed home from ten yards out.

Sullivan’s effort looped just over the bar before with 10 minutes remaining, Barry showed pace and skill to break forward and beat several opponents. He entered the box and saw his powerful low shot repelled by Platt.

Cai Powell-Roberts steered just wide, Corrig McGonigle saw an acrobatic effort saved, Blackwell-Jones’ back-heeled attempt was deflected wide and Platt then tipped over a long-range Sullivan strike,

That crucial second goal would not come and in the 96th minute 1876 paid the price.

Llay won a penalty which Collo stepped up to convert.

The hosts could have won it a minute later but Carl Jones pulled off a save from point-blank range to ensure it ended level.

Buckley Town 1 Guilsfield 1

Buckley manager Asa Hamilton was on the warpath after his team dropped two points at home to Guilsfield.

Hamilton described the event as “the worst performance ever under me”.

The hosts found the breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Liam Driscoll tapped home from Max Moore’s low cross.

However, Guilsfield levelled just before the hour mark as Joe Haycock bagged his eighth league goal of the season.

The Guils remain unbeaten in five matches since Gavin Allen’s appointment as manager, and they are now up into the top half.

Denbigh Town 2 Holywell Town 4

Denbigh led 2-0 at half time through Bobby Beaumont and Nathan Brown, but a hat-trick in the second period from sub Ilan Ap Gareth, plus a Jake Cooke single, turned the tables in Holywell’s favour.

This match was reported on in depth by Grassroots North Wales on Monday.