JD CYMRU NORTH: Airbus win and go top, Rhyl 1879 beat Buckley to claim fifth spot
JD CYMRU NORTH REPORTS AND TABLE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
Airbus UK Broughton 2 Gresford Athletic 1
Airbus returned to the Cymru North summit – but had to fight back from a goal down to see off stubborn Gresford.
With previous leaders Llandudno’s game at Flint Mountain postponed at the 11th hour, the Wingmakers knew a win at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium would take them top.
But it proved hard going for the hosts, Gresford taking a 15th minute lead when Paul Johnson headed in a Haci Ozlu cross.
Only a fine Keighan Jones save following a corner prevented Athletic adding a second before Mark Allen’s home side began to create some chances.
Keeper Lewis Dutton held onto a Jordan Evans shot before denying Danny Warren with his feet at the near post.
Eight minutes into the second half, Airbus pulled level. George Peers managed to divert home his 21st goal of the season at the second attempt following good work from Kieran Evans.
Then on 63 minutes the Broughton outfit had the lead. Daniel Collins, a recent signing from Gresford, hurt his former club by finishing from a Blaine Hudson assist.
Jordan Evans delivered to the back post, Hudson nodded the ball down and Collins applied the finish.
Mason Blackwell-Jones and Kaiden Cooke went close to a third for the hosts before the end,
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2 Buckley Town 1
Rhyl edged into fifth spot after beating Buckley by a 2-1 scoreline for a second time this season.
Having triumped at The Globe just before Christmas, Paul Moore side came from behind to repeat the dose over Asa Hamilton’s battlers at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.
Town started well and took a fifth-minute lead through loan signing Bradley Barnes, Max Moore with the assist.
Rhyl replied in the 26th minute when midfielder Ben Lightfoot’s eighth goal of the season made it one-apiece, Damase Kiwanda providing the set-up.
The game was sealed in the 57th minute when 19-year-old ace Jack Parry notched his 10th goal of the campaign for the Lilywhites.
An impressive performance from 1879 who in their last three home league games have beaten Holywell Town, Llandudno and Buckley Town – great form.
Next up is a massive one for the Lilywhites – home to Cymru Premier side Barry Town United in the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals next Saturday.