What a contrast in fortunes since that shock result on the opening day of the 2024-25 season.
Bay were left stunned by a ruthless Bangor performance that suggested the season ahead might be a tough one for the Seagulls and a stormer for 1876.
However, one swallow does not make a summer and neither does one result define a football season.
After that loss to Bangor, the Bay went undefeated in their next 29 matches, winning 26 of them, the final 1-0 victory at Penrhyncoch on Saturday sealing them the league title.
The citizens looked to be set for a comfortable finish after whipping Prestatyn Town 4-0 at Bangor City Stadium on February 12, but then Michael Johnston’s side went on an inexplicable run of eight straight league defeats which cost them their Tier 2 status.
The decline of 1876 could not be more starkly emphasised than the fact they still would have survived had they earned a point at Ruthin Town in their last match – evidence of how well they had done before their end-of-campaign wretched streak.
However, a Ruthin side which lost their first league game 7-0 at Flint Mountain, grabbed the 1-0 triumph over Bangor which keeps them in the Cymru North against the odds and sends the fan-owned club, which before this season had only known success, back to Tier 3.
Champions: Colwyn Bay
Runners-up: Airbus UK Broughton
Relegated: Llay Miners Welfare, Prestatyn Town, Bangor 1876.
Cymru North champions for the second time in three seasons – congratulations Colwyn Bay.
Michael Wilde and Danny Harrison marked their first campaign in charge with the prize which delivers a return to the Cymru Premier.
Dan Atkins scored the only goal at Cae Baker after 14 minutes with an angled finish after a throw-in down the left was back-headed into his path by a Penrhyn defender.
The hosts had Rhys Jenkins sent off in first half added time for a second yellow card, but there were no further goals after the break.
A draw would have been sufficient to seal the title for Bay.
Football is, and always has been, a game of irony – joyous and cruel in equal measure.
How ironic was it that the man who scored Ruthin’s late goal to keep them in the Cymru North and relegate 1876 was a player idolised by supporters of the predecessor which flew the flag for Bangor before the current fan-owned club emerged in 2019.
Jamie Reed has represented quite a few clubs since being part of Bangor City’s Cymru Premier title-winning squad for half of the 2010-11 season, but he has always held the all-blues close to his heart.
Today, the 37-year-old converted a typical stunning overhead kick in 83rd minute which secured his place in Ruthin Town folklore and left 1876 fans heartbroken.
Needing just a point to stay up. 1876 were unable to achieve their goal and must now rebuild.
As for Reed, who only joined Ruthin in February, has will be the toast of the Vale of Clwyd survivors for some time to come.
Unlike his team-mates and fans, Reed did not celebrate wildly after scoring, perhaps an indication that the name Bangor still means something to him, even though the club he sent down was not the same as the one he left in 2011.
Bangor, whose discipline has been cause for concern this season, had Jake Ellison red-carded on 61.
All Airbus could do today was win and hope Colwyn Bay lost.
With the Wingmakers having a better goal difference than Bay, that was the only way Mark Allen’s side could win the title.
Airbus kept their side of the bargain, but Bay’s success at Penrhyncoch meant the Broughton outfit finish runners-up.
James Davies (2) and Danny Warren provided the visiting goals, Rhys Hesden and Harry Cottam replying.
Jamie Breese’s 25th goal of the season put the Wellmen in front, but Jack Parry’s 18th of the campaign earned Mountain a point.
Alfie Vaughan’s 92nd minute equaliser salvaged Denbigh a point at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
Haci Ozlu handed Athletic a 28th minute lead, Charlie Mann made it 2-0 on 54, but two goals in three minutes from Nathan Brown and Owen Davies made it two apiece.
Ozlu put the Colliers back in front on 68, but Vaughan’s late show ensured honours ended even.
Gresford manager Eddie Maurice-Jones was ordered to leave the bench on 51 minutes after receiving a second yellow card.
Callum Stephens earned Llandudno three points with an 87th minute decider.
Robbie Parry edged relegated Town in front on 23 minutes, but Mark Cadwallader made it 1-1 after 27.
Harvey Bennett nudged Tudno into the lead on 56, Parry equalised with 77 gone, but Stephens settled it on 87.
Llandudno had Aflie Banning sent off for a second yellow after 88.
Jamie Hyne’s two-minute double in the second half banked the points for Guilsfield after Jonathan Collo edged Llay ahead with his 15th goal of 2024-25.
Collo also missed a penalty after 75.
Mold’s fine end to the season as continued as they made it five without defeat.
Owen Cordiner, Fabrizio Murtas and Craig Rogers were the home scorers, Nick Grogan with Buckley’s response.
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