MATCH OF THE DAY: Birthday boy bags double as village heroes Llannefydd end Bangor’s 32-match unbeaten run
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – FEBRUARY 7, 2026
CPD Llannefydd 3 (T Jones 15, Lawson-Cooke 45+3, 59)
CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 2 (Owen 45+1, Carey 80)
What a 26th birthday for Llannefydd hero David Lawson-Cooke – a double strike to lead his team to a famous victory over the previously unbeaten Citizens.
Lawson-Cooke had not found the net since September, but chose the perfect occasion to end his drought with a match-winning pair against the mighty 1876.
A huge shock saw table-topping Bangor lose their undefeated league record at renowned battlers Llannefydd.
Previously without a loss in 32 games across all competitions this season, 18 of them in Ardal North West, City were undone by an outstanding performance from the home side.
Llannefydd took a 15th minute lead when Tom Jones fired into the top corner from outside the box.
Great stops by keeper Dylan Jones from Tommy Creamer and top-scorer Corrig McGonigle denied 1876 an equaliser before the leaders did pull level in first half added time.
Creamer crossed low into the box from the byline, Dylan Summers-Jones took a heavy touch but the ball came to Cai Owen who drilled a great shot into the bottom corner.
However, before the whistle, Llannefydd were back in front, Lawson-Cooke this time firing in a beauty to make it 2-1 at the break.
A massive second half was in prospect. Would, true to form, Bangor come on strong in the second 45 and take over, or would the villagers find another gear?
Just before the hour, Llannefydd were 3-1 up when a through ball from Mathew Jones released Lawson-Cooke, who finished expertly in a one-on-one with the keeper.
Bangor brought on major new signing Declan McManus, the two-time Welsh Premier golden boot winner, and wing wizard Josh Carey in a bid to turn the tide.
However, the hosts remained solid until the 80th minute when James Barry released Carey, who finished well to cut the deficit in half.
While 1876 pushed for the equaliser, it was not to be their day, Llannefydd holding on for a famous victory.
Chris Morrell, assistant-manager for the winning side, said: “Just an incredible effort from all our players against such a talented Bangor side. It’s easy to see why they’ve had so much success this season already as they push and push to create so much pressure the whole game through, but our lads never stopped working for each other and I think it’s fair to say, deserved their win.
“We knew we had to create a plan to do something different to put them off their stride and although it took so much work to do so, I think everybody bought in, and it was so great to see the scenes at the end with the support we had today.
“These players and people are special, so I’ve been delighted to help play a small part since the turn of the year, but this season still has a long way to go for us, so I’m sure the lads will keep giving their all.
“Thanks to all the Bangor supporters for their attendance today, and the volunteer helpers also.”
CPD LLANNEFYDD
Dylan Jones, Mathew Evans, Tudur Jones, Ciran Jones, Elgan Roberts, Edward Jones, Tom Jones (c), Mathew Jones, David Lawson-Cooke, Sam Jones, Llion Morris. Subs used: Tomos Salisbury, Ianto Price Jones, Michael Guest.
CPD DINAS BANGOR CITY 1876
Carl Jones, Cai Powell-Roberts, Louis Corrigan, Cai Owen, Iolo Hughes (c), Jamie Reed, James Barry, Dylan Summers-Jones, Corrig McGonigle, Dion Jones, Tommy Creamer. Subs used: Declan McManus, Dion Donohue, Josh Carey, Jack Smith.