ARDAL NORTH WEST: Porthmadog bounce back in style, stunning Phoenix comeback, Bangor edge tight verdict at Saints

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS AND TABLE – OCTOBER 25

Porthmadog 3 Prestatyn Town 1

No doubt stung by a 5-1 midweek defeat at Bangor which relieved them of their 100% record, Porthmadog bounced back admirably on Saturday to defeat fellow high-flyers Prestatyn at Y Traeth.

Port started much the better without creating many chances in the opening 10 minutes. A cross from Dan Atkins found Danny Brookwell, whose shot was scuffed into the arms of grateful visiting goalkeeper Adam Reid.

The home side’s danger on the counter attack was clear to see, but despite all the good approach play, often the final pass let them down.

Just before the break, Town’s Adam Hold had a strike at goal, but Josh Cooke was there with a strong hand to ensure the sides went into the dressing room scoreless.

Port began the second half promisingly and the deadlock was broken on 50 minutes.

Brookwell sent another dangerous ball across the face of goal and ex-Prestatyn Town player Shaun Cavanagh was left with the simplest of tasks to find the net, his fifth league goal of the season, to go with 8 assists.

On the hour mark, Port were dealt a blow, when the talismanic Cavanagh went down clutching his hip, following an impact injury after his pass led to another blistering counter attack, which delivered nothing. He would soon be replaced by Jonny Bravo.

Within five minutes, Port had doubled their lead. Having won the ball in the centre circle, a superb lofted pass by Cai Jones saw Bravo, in his bright pink boots, leave the Prestatyn defenders in his shadow, before finishing with aplomb in the far corner.

It should have been three when a Ryan Williams free kick led to a nod across goal from Gruff John that found Bravo unmarked in the six-yard box, but his header somehow was diverted for a corner.

On the 75 minute mark, the visitors carved a rare chance as Joe Holt was put through on goal, but Cooke was very alert to pull off a good save.

In the 87th minute, Cooke’s clean sheet was ruined, as some rather lapsed defending in the sudden hailstorm led to Zebb Edwards burying his opportunity and making it 2-1 with time to spare.

No panic from the hosts, however, as within two minutes Port produced a rather majestic counter attack, with one sub, Sion Williams, driving through the middle of the pitch and picking out the perfect pass to another replacement, Arden Gisbourne, who ran in on goal and finished superbly to seal a much needed 3 points.

Bravo nearly added a fourth, hitting the bar in the dying stages.

CPD Porthmadog: Josh Cooke, Jake Jones, Jack Rimmer, Gruff John, Gruff Ellis, Sam Reynolds (Caio Evans 71), Shaun Cavanagh (Jonny Bravo 59), Ryan Williams, Dan Atkins (Sion Williams 71), Cai Jones ( Sam Carrier 83), Danny Brookwell (Arden Gisbourne 83).
Prestatyn: Adam Reid, Casey Faulkner (Lewis Rhodes 78), Aaron Simpson, James Jones, Zebb Edwards, Mackenzie Stark (Antonio Jacovelli 63), Joe Holt, Adam Hold, Jake Walker (Sam Henry 27), Rob Parry, Ellis Blench (Loui O’Carroll 78).
Adroddiad / Report: Rhydian Morgan

St Asaph City 0 CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 1

Given the respective positions of these two sides – Bangor top and Saints rock bottom – and considering the huge amount of goals 1876 have been scoring this season, many may have predicted a landslide at Roe Plas Meadows.

However, the basement boys produced a heartening performance which saw the visitors restricted to just the one first-half goal from man of the moment Tommy Creamer.

A slick passing move ended with Creamer burying a low shot into the corner with his left foot.

While the Citizens had the better of the contest overall, Asaph more than held their own and could feel proud of their display.

Bethesda Athletic 1 Llay Welfare 1

A 77th minute Louie Turner equaliser from a Cai Evans assist earned a point for Bethesda against a Llay outfit which has been in good form of late.

The visitors struck first in the 15th minute when Dave Macintyre found the net after Cavan Daley set him up.

Mynydd Isa 2 Connah’s Quay Town 1

Three red cards were shown in a close-fought battle where Mynydd Isa edged the points.

Dylan Roberts put the hosts in front on eight minutes before George Davies made it 2-0 after 23, Braden Lavin assisting.

Harris Thomas pulled one back in first half stoppage time to set up an interesting second period.

Both sides kept 11 players on the field until the 94th minute when reds were brandished to Dan Wright of Isa and Town’s Kian Brick.

A minute later Mynydd were down to nine when Dan Wainwright also saw red.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 3 NFA 2

Stunning stuff from Phoenix as they recovered from two-down to beat NFA with a 94th minute winner at Cae Sling.

First half strikes from Aidan Bell and Oliver Hansen looked to have put the Rhyl-based visitors in command.

Just before the hour, Leigh Craven pulled one back via a 35-yard cracker and the game was in the 88th minute when Pen won a spot-kick for a foul on James Hobson which Harley Farr converted.

A late point rescued by the hosts? That was not enough for them, Phoenix went for the win and on a counter struck again in the 94th minute when Ricky Jones crossed and Farr smashed in the decider.

Just a second league loss of the season for NFA and only a second victory for Penmaenmawr, but what an important one it could prove to be.

CPD Pwllheli 1 CPD Llannefydd 2

Goals on 18 and 24 minutes from Mathew Jones and Llion Morris respectively set up Llannefydd with enough of a lead to win this match.

Steffan Toplis pulled one back for Pwllheli close to half time and that was the end of the scoring.

Llangefni Town 1 Trearddur Bay 5

A thumping away win for Trearddur Bay who were a class above Llangefni on the night.

Gareth Evans (2), Christoph Aziamale (2, 1 pen) and a second long range stunner in a week from Liam Armstrong secured a thumping win for the visitors.

Dion Jones notched a consolation for Cefni to make it 3-1 at the break.

The home side had Jamie Thomas red carded on 90.

CPD Y Felinheli 1 Llanrwst United 2

After a goalless first half, Conor Davies put Llanrwst ahead in the 51st minute and a Callum Parry penalty doubled the away tally on the hour.

Byron Davis did halve the deficit with his 14th goal of the campaign, but Felinheli could not get the second goal their efforts perhaps deserved.