ARDAL NORTH WEST: Bethesda win late, victories for Mynydd Isa, Llannefydd and Llay Welfare

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS – MARCH 7

CPD Y Felinheli 2 (Hughes 3, R Cain 72)
Bethesda Athletic 3 (Hartleb 64, Gisbourne 80, 90+3)

Two-goal hero Arden Gisbourne’s 93rd minute decider clinched three precious Pesda points.
Mark N Hughes’ side moved up to fifth place with a hard fought win on a heavily sanded surface at Felinheli.
The hosts had the better of the first half, producing some resolute defending and smart corner routines, and benefited from the latter on 3 minutes when Aled Hughes’ deft flick found the net from a Ryan Cain flag-kick.
Dylan Waters Jones went close on a further two occasions from corners.
Pesda’s first half efforts were limited to a close Corey Lundstram strike rebounding off the post and a Joe Todd header saved by the hosts stand in keeper Callum Macdonald.
HT 1-0
Eighteen minutes after the restart, the visitors made 3 changes, which were to become a deciding factor in the final outcome, Kyle Hartleb, Gisbourne and Cian Williams replacing Osian Price, Steffan Davies and Lundstram.
The change paid dividends within a minute, Williams flicking on a throw-in for Hartleb to finish from 10 yards with his right foot.
Even though this gave Pesda a boost, the hosts responded well, as a smart move started on the right side by Jack Cain, to Iwan Owen, lined up Ryan Cain for a tremendous left foot finish from just outside the 18-yard box to make it 2-1 Felin on 72 minutes.
Athletic then made a further switch on 75, when Louie Turner replaced Osian Pugh and the Felin-based youngster’s smart work down the right fed fellow substitute Gisbourne for a low right foot finish to Macdonald’s right hand post on 80 minutes.

With 10 to play, both benches rolled the dice, Felin replacing forward Iwan Owen with Aled Rice to preserve the point, whilst Pesda reverted to a back three to push centre back Noa Hughes up top in an apparent attempt to take maximum reward.
With the game 3 minutes into added time, Gisbourne’s diagonal ball found Hartleb on the right, who delivered to Osian Hughes on the edge of the 18 yard line.
His initial attempt was blocked by Dylan Waters Jones and rebounded to Gisbourne, whose overhead volley beat the keeper off his left hand post, the former Llannerchymedd and Porthmadog forward demonstrating just what the Parc Meurig club signed him for.

Prestatyn Town 0
Porthmadog 0

Despite plenty of effort and a handful of chances at both ends in this fifth-hosting-second clash, the sides could not be separated as the contest ended goalless.
The first opportunity of a tight and cagey opening half fell to the hosts. Jake Walker delivered a cross onto the penalty spot which was met by Alex Jones, but the forward could only guide his header comfortably over the bar.
Prestatyn were then forced into an early change when new signing Harris Thomas went down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Robbie Parry was introduced moments later as the Seasiders reshuffled.
Porthmadog enjoyed spells of possession during the first half and for a moment it looked as though they had taken the lead through Rhys Alun, only for celebrations to be cut short as the assistant’s flag went up for offside.
Chances remained limited for the remainder of the half and, despite a lengthy period of added time, neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.
Prestatyn started the second half on the front foot and again Alex Jones was involved, heading over from an early corner.
Parry was next to try his luck following some neat footwork inside the box, but his effort was comfortably saved by Josh Cooke.
As the game opened up, Porthmadog forced Adam Reid into a sharp save from Osian Evans to keep the scores level.
Prestatyn then made a double substitution, with Kian Owen and Rob Hughes – making his second appearance since November – replacing Walker and Dom McHugh.

Moments later, Porthmadog had a golden chance to break the deadlock when Jonny Bravo was sent clean through on goal, but Reid produced superb reflexes to deny him.
At the other end, Fleming and Roberts both tested Cooke in quick succession, but the goalkeeper dealt comfortably with both efforts.
Hughes soon made his presence felt, bringing his usual bite to the contest. With three minutes remaining, some slick footwork saw him go down inside the area, prompting loud appeals for a penalty, but referee John Griffiths waved them away.
Bravo would have the final big chance, but from point-blank range he fired wide of the target.
In the end, the points were shared following a hard-fought contest where both defences – and both goalkeepers – ultimately came out on top.

Connah’s Quay Town 2 CPD Pwllheli 2

Seventeen-year-old sub Toby Lemon rescued a point for Connah’s Quay with a 96th minute equaliser.
Pwllheli led 2-0 at half time courtesy of goals on 25 and 34 minutes from Deio Williams and Cian Pritchard respectively, Hari Lambe and Sion Roberts with the assists.
Looking to end a run of six straight losses, Town pulled one back on the hour through Edward Brown before Harvey Drazdauskas set up Lemon to squeeze in that last-gasp leveller.

CPD Llannefydd 5 NFA 2

Llannefydd quickly put aside the disappointment of their FAW Amateur Trophy quarter-final exit by whipping NFA 5-2 to collect three big league points.
Tomos Salisbury (2), Tom Jones (penalty), Ciran Jones and sub Llion Morris split the home goals, Simon Fawcett and Ollie Staveley replying for the visitors, who have lost three on the bounce, but remain fourth.

Llay Welfare 4 Trearddur Bay 3

J J King found the net twice for Llay as the Wrexham side celebrated victory in a seven-goal thriller at The Ring.
Ellis Hickey and captain Dean Bryan also scored for the Welly, who responded in style to the previous weekend’s 4-1 home loss to Bethesda.
Bay’s three goals came via top-scorer Tom Hilditch, who is now on 29 in all competitions this season. Two of Hilditch’s net-finders came from the penalty spot.
Trearddur were 3-0 down at one stage, but recovered to make a real match of it.

St Asaph City 1 Mynydd Isa 3

Kieran Jones (2) and Nathan Mendoza split the goals which secured Mynydd Isa a third win in four league starts and lifted them up to 11th in the standings.
Nathan Jones had given marooned bottom side Saints a fourth minute lead, but the hosts went on to lose for the seventh time in eight games.