JD CYMRU NORTH: Rhyl 1879 snatch victory from jaws of defeat, wins for Brickfield and Llandudno

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

Buckley Town 1 (Littler 13)
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2 (Jones 90+4, Kiwanda 90+5)

Report and pictures provided by CPD Y Rhyl 1879

After 93 minutes Rhyl 1879 were 1-0 down and heading for a loss – but in a remarkable turnaround Paul Moore’s side grabbed two quick goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Lilywhites have produced some amazing late shows this season and this was surely the finest of the lot. Now unbeaten in five matches, 1879 are up to seventh in Cymru North,

Following the last-gasp dramatic success in the Welsh Cup the week before at Porthmadog, Rhyl knew the trip to Buckley would be a sterner test.

Former Rhyl FC player and current Buckley manager Asa Hamilton was only able to watch the game from outside the ground as he is currently in the middle of a lengthy ban.

Both sides started at a frantic pace, with early exchanges setting the tone for a physical and open contest.

Buckley struck first on 11 minutes when Connor Littler collected a loose ball on the halfway line, surged forward unchallenged and cut inside before firing a superb shot past Alex Swindell to give the hosts the lead,

Rhyl responded well and were unfortunate not to draw level on 16 minutes as Ben Lightfoot unleashed a dipping effort from range that forced Josh Tibbetts into a fine save.

Sustained pressure followed from the visitors, Rocco Hewitt pulling a shot over the bar before Jack Parry was denied once again by Tibbetts.

Half-time: Buckley 1 Rhyl 1879 0

With the lights on at The Globe for the second half, Rhyl were forced into a change on 51 minutes as captain Reece Fairhurst made way for Ben Lawrence after picking up an injury.

A superb driving run from Tom Kemp on 54 minutes carried the ball out from defence before he slipped Hewitt in on goal, only for the midfielder’s shot to drift narrowly wide.

Buckley tested Swindell as chances continued to come at both ends. Parry’s strike flashed wide on 76 minutes.

Tempers flared late on, and on 81 minutes referee Nicholas Davies dismissed Buckley coach Lee Worrall with a straight red card following comments directed at the assistant referee.

Visiting boss Moore rolled the dice in the closing stages, introducing Paul Fleming for Dan Wood on 83 minutes in search of a late breakthrough.

As the assistant referee indicated nine minutes of injury time, Rhyl appeared to be heading for defeat, but what followed was a remarkable finale.

In the 94th minute, a Rhyl free-kick on the right was initially cleared, but Billy Holmes recycled possession back to keeper Swindell in the centre of the Rhyl half.

Swindell’s first-time, long diagonal ball found Archie Jones, who volleyed superbly past Tibbetts to level the scores,

From the restart, the superb Holmes again won the ball deep in his own half, using his long stride to evade a flying challenge before finding Jones.

Damase Kiwanda made a darting run across the box, and Jones threaded a perfectly weighted pass into his path. Kiwanda beat two defenders and calmly slid the ball under Tibbetts, sparking wild celebrations behind the goal as he marked the moment with a back somersault,

Buckley pushed desperately for an equaliser in the final moments, but the Lilywhites stood firm through to the 99th minute to secure a sensational victory.

Brickfield Rangers 4 Holyhead Hotspur 0

Brickfield celebrated a third straight league victory and ended Hotspur’s three-game winning streak in the process.

The Wrexham side took a 10th minute lead when Jay Richardson set up Danny Jones for the opener.
There was no further score before the break.

Two goals in a three-minute spell around the hour mark put Gareth Wilson’s men in total command.

Andrew Vale converted a 58th minute penalty before Aiden Fox found the net, Danny Jones with the assist.

Richardson notched number four in the 74th minute, helped by Thomas Williams.

Brickfield had Gerson Silva Neto sent off after 84 for a second yellow, but it had no effect on the outcome.

Mold Alexandra 1 Llandudno 2

Back-to-back 2-1 victories over Mold have left Llandudno seven points clear at the summit entering the Christmas period.

The undefeated Seasiders made it 13 wins and two draws from their 15 matches, proving they can grind out results as well as beat teams in style.

After a goalless first 45, Alex grabbed the lead on 63 when sub Eddie Servuts finished via a Henry Nash assist.

Tudno turned the tables very quickly with Dylan Proctor – who got a touch on a Iwan Cartwright header — and Adam Stephens finding the net – and that was sufficient to claim the win.