Ardal North West: Rhyl lift trophy, Hotspur clinch runners-up and promotion play-off, Vale in big danger

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS – APRIL 16 & 19

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 CPD Llannefydd 0

In a season where the club secured the much-longed-for ownership of Belle Vue, it was fitting that Rhyl 1879 ended their campaign in celebratory style on home turf.

The Lilywhites were presented with the Tier 3 Ardal North West championship trophy before a crowd of 649 at the newly-named Hops and Barley Community Stadium on Saturday.

And the occasion was marked with a 1-0 victory over CPD Llannefydd sealed by Paul Fleming’s 85th minute diving header.

It was the perfect moment to give the fans what they had come to see, whipping them up just before the after-match festivities were to begin.

A week after sealing their second league title as a phoenix club with a 2-0 triumph at Llanrwst, 1879 came out to a heroes’ welcome, including guards of honour from the visiting team and Lilywhites youngsters.

Manager Paul Moore made a couple of changes to the starting eleven with Callum Proctor coming in for Jonny Bravo and Lewis Hodson replacing Jason Foulkes, who was away.

An unexpected name on the bench was Archie Jones, who has made a speedy recovery from his ankle injury picked up against Menai Bridge back in February.

On six minutes, the hosts had an excellent chance to take the lead when Chris Bennett saw a shot saved by excellent Llannefydd keeper Dylan Jones.

As time passed it was the away side who started playing themselves back into the game and they would have been ahead at the break only for some great saves by Adam Reid.

The second half was a much more one-sided affair when on 53 minutes Llan’s Lewys Turner was shown a straight red after a two-footed challenge on Rhyl midfielder Sam Reynolds.

This changed the game and the home team’s pressure kept the travellers in red camped in their own half and only offering the odd counter-attack to try and relieve the pressure.

Lilywhites changes were made on the hour as Bravo, James Hay and Jamie McDaid all came on for Calum Proctor, Bennett and Hodson.

Rhyl continued to pile on the pressure but the game was into its last five minutes when left back Billy Holmes delivered a typical quality cross from the left to find the diving Fleming glance the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal,

The whole stadium erupted, supported by the Rhyl faithful who home and away this season have been very vocal with their incredible support.

Then the final changes were made as Raqib Khalid came on in goal for his debut, replacing the outstanding Reid and Archie Jones took the place of the hard-working Fleming for the last couple of minutes.

The final whistle blew to a joyous roar and the league trophy was presented by Chas Rowland and Simon Newport from the FAW before celebrations began which ran into the early hours.

Corwen 3 Nantlle Vale 3

Nantlle Vale will have to win their final game at home to Llanrwst by a cricket score if they are to avoid relegation on goal difference.

Saturday’s result at Corwen left Vale three points behind Felinheli, who have completed their fixtures, but Nantlle are trailing by 13 in the GD stakes.

Corwen looked well in control at half time, goals from Calyn Spencer and a Scott Evans penalty giving them a 2-0 lead.

Vale fought back after the break to level via Zac Pike and Llion Griffiths, Les Brophy made it 3-2 Corwen on 78, but a late Tyler French own goal ensured it ended all-square.

Holyhead Hotspur 0 Llanrwst United 0

Hotspur sealed runners-up spot and a promotion play-off appearance after a hard-fought home draw with Llanrwst.

Porthmadog 2 Connah’s Quay Town 3

Kyle Harte’s 94th minute winner made sure Town ended their debut campaign at Tier 3 on a high note as they clinched seventh place with a victory at Porthmadog, whose promotion play-off hopes were dashed.

Danny Brookwell gave Port a third-minute lead, but Leon Bennett equalised on six and Ryan Hewitt made it 2-1 to the visitors after 21.

Tom Hilditch restored parity for Port on 39 and the second half went goalless until that late Harte strike.

Trearddur Bay 3 CPD Pwllheli 1

Five undefeated for Trearddur, who could still pinch third-place in their first Tier 3 campaign.

Les Davies put the Anglesey side in front on 32 minutes, but Marcus Banks hit back for Pwllheli after 42.

In the second half, Casey Gregg and Josh Stanley’s 29th goal of the season in all competitions banked a home success.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

Corwen 2 CPD Llannefydd 3

Goals from David Lawson-Cooke, Mathew Jones and Sam Jones put Llannefydd three-up before Scott Evans replied with two late goals for Corwen, but the visitors held on for the honours.

Menai Bridge Tigers 0 Trearddur Bay 7

Anthony Marshall and Josh Stanley both delivered hat-tricks as Trearddur rattled in a magnificent seven in last Wednesday’s all-island derby.

Casey Gregg was also on the mark as the Beach Boys made it three victories over the Tigers this term.