MATCH OF THE DAY: Rhyl 1879 strike late to end Llandudno’s unbeaten league record

JD CYMRU NORTH – JANUARY 1, 2026

CPD Y RHYL 1879 3 (Kiwanda 74, Jones 89, Parry 90+3)
LLANDUDNO 1 (Adam Stephens 42)

Three goals in the last 20 minutes turned a losing situation for Rhyl 1879 into a magnificent victory which brought an end to leaders Llandudno’s unbeaten league record.

Just like Connah’s Quay Nomads’ 3-1 win over The New Saints yesterday breathed new life into the Cymru Premier title race, so did the Lilywhites’ conquering of the Seasiders on the first day of 2026 make things far more interesting at the Cymru North summit.

With second and third placed respectively Holywell Town and Airbus UK Broughton both winning, Tudno’s lead was cut to four points.

A crowd of 589 was at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium to see Paul Moore’s home side return to form after a 3-1 Boxing Day defeat at Holyhead Hotspur.

Tudno threatened early on when Mark Cadwallader headed over the bar, but the visitors were indebted to keeper Shaun Pearson for a fine save from Jack Parry midway through the half.

Three minutes before the break, the leaders edged in front when Adam Stephens netted direct from a free kick. A 1-0 lead for the Seasiders at half time, but missed chances would return to haunt them.

Alex Swindell was exceptional between the sticks for 1879 in the first half, as he was throughout the game.

Rhyl applied plenty of pressure at the start of the second half and on 65 minutes Tudno had to change keepers when Pearson was forced off injured to be replaced by Michael Jones.

Kieran Smith hit the bar for the away side and Cadwallader went close again before the tables were drastically turned on the table-toppers.

Half-time replacement Damase Kiwanda made it 1-1 on 74 minutes with a powerful finish from about 10 yards after Ben Lawrence played his part in the build-up.

Rhyl now had the bit between their teeth and the late-goal specialists grabbed the lead a minute before the 90 mark.

Kiwanda was the provider this time as Archie Jones scored for the fifth time in six matches and made it 12 goals for the season with a neat finish to send the home support wild.

And the icing on the cake was still to come.

With 93 on the clock, Parry bagged his ninth goal of the campaign to make it 3-1 and seal a famous victory for the Lilywhites.

Llandudno have not experienced that losing feeling in the league up to now. The test will now be how they respond.

Tudno are a very experienced side whose players have won plenty in their careers. They will still be the team to beat in 2026.

RHYL 1879

Alex Swindell, Daniel Wood (Ben Lawrence 46), Billy Holmes, Tom Kemp, Reece Fairhurst (c), Rocco Hewitt, Morgan Murray (Arthur Hancock 86), Ben Lightfoot, Jack Parry, James Farr (Damase Kiwanda 46), Archie Jones (Lewis Hodson 90+7).

LLANDUDNO

Shaun Pearson (Michael Jones 65), Callum Stephens, Iwan Cartwright, Ross Weaver (c), Mark Cadwallader, Adam Stephens, Aidan Higgins, Dylan Proctor (Lee Stokes 88), Ben Maher, Kieran Smith, Cai Roberts.