MATCH OF THE DAY 3: Gwalchmai rejoice after first league win of the season
NORTH WALES COAST WEST PREMIER DIVISION
Gwalchmai 2 (Llewellyn 35, Sawicz 37)
CPD Llanberis 0
Joy for Gwalchmai as they celebrated their first league win of the season at the 17th attempt – and lifted themselves off the bottom of the table.
There had been a sign of things to come the weekend before, when Craig Evans’ side defeated Penrhyndeudraeth 2-1 to reach the Cwpan Snowdonia semi-finals.
However, the Maes Meurig men also desperately wanted to break their duck in a division where they finished runners-up last season.
And two first-half goals against old rivals Llanberis ensured the Ynys Môn villagers delivered the goods.
Delighted Gwalchmai manager Evans said: “Yesterday was a very good performance from everyone.
“I thought we could have scored 4 or 5. I knew we would be in for a tough one against a very good Llanberis side, but we were on it from the off and the football we played at times was very good. Just hope we kick on now and climb up that table.”
Gwalch started well and they broke the deadlock after great work from Jac Mlynarczyk on the left saw his pinpoint cross met by Tomos Hughes, whose effort forced a great save from Dylan Roberts, only for youngster Luke Llewellyn to pounce with a great finish.
Five minutes later Gwalch were two-up following some cracking football which enabled Iwan Sawicz to finish in style with a 25-yarder into the top corner.
The second half saw the hosts continue to do what they did in the first, causing the Darans plenty of problems.
Sawicz and man of the match Cian Glyn Owen pulled the strings and Liam Willighan won what was needed in the middle.
This was Gwalchmai’s day, from goalkeeper to defence, to midfield and up front, and hopefully this performance will lead to more good things for a team which has faced a testing season but never given up.
GWALCHMAI
Kenny Hughes, Alfie Skinner-Jones, Gethin Jones, John Jones, Darren Roberts (c), Luke Llewellyn, Jac Mlynarczyk, Iwan Sawicz, Liam Willighan, Tomos Hughes, Cian Owen.
Subs used: Jamie Roberts, James Burgess.