Denbigh Town dented Airbus UK Broughton’s JD Cymru North title hopes with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Central Park on Friday.
Nathan Brown put Denbigh ahead inside just five minutes with a fierce strike from a tight angle, and the forward was involved once more as his corner saw Airbus defender Joe Palmer head into his own net, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage at the break.
Nathan Williams headed home the rebound from Jordan Evans’ saved free-kick to half the deficit for Airbus just five minutes after the restart. Denbigh were quickly reduced to 10 men moments later as Owen Davies was sent off for a second bookable offence.
However, Davies’ dismissal did not faze Denbigh as Brown produced a moment of magic by sending a curling effort into the top corner from distance, leaving Sam Fenny no chance of the save.
A clinical finish from Airbus talisman George Peers gave the Wingmakers a late lifeline, but the home side held on to claim all three points and become the first side ever to complete the double over Airbus in the JD Cymru North. Denbigh are now back up to sixth in the table, while Airbus are now two points behind leaders Llandudno, who have two games in hand.
JD Cymru North
Craig Lindfield scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser as third-place Holywell Town salvaged a remarkable 4-4 draw against Guilsfield at the PRS Recruitment Stadium on Saturday.
It was a frantic opening eight minutes at Clos Mytton as Guilsfield opened up a two-goal lead thanks to Adam Hailes’ effort from outside the area which crept into the bottom corner and Iwan Matthews’ strike, only for Holywell to quickly pull a goal back through Jamie Breese, who pounced on a defensive mistake and calmly slotted home.
Ryan Edwards equalised for Holywell on the half-hour mark after volleying in the rebound from Luke Evans’ punched clearance, but the Guils edged back in front two minutes before half-time as Sam Flory clinically found the net following neat work from Hailes.
Lindfield brought Holywell back on level terms by latching onto a long ball and taking his finish well three minutes into the second half, but Matthews put the hosts back ahead once again as he steered the ball home from Sean Jones’ cross.
It seemed the Guils were going to hold on and claim their first win since January, but there was another twist as Lindfield found the net via the post in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to rescue a point.
Holywell are now 12 points clear of fourth-place Newtown, who suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Buckley Town, who ended their seven-match losing streak at Latham Park on Friday.
Buckley were awarded a penalty after just 14 minutes played in mid-Wales as Connor Littler was brought down by Rob Evans inside the area, allowing Ben Guest to convert the resulting spot kick.
The Bucks doubled their advantage two minutes before the interval as Aled Bellis met Lewis Hodson’s low ball and calmly tapped into the net from close range for his seventh goal of the campaign.
Newtown’s woes increased when Evans was shown a straight red card for a high tackle in the 62nd minute. The visitors were able to see out the remainder of the contest and climb back into the top half.
Dave Forbes netted a late penalty as Ruthin Town kept their slim survival hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Gresford Athletic at the Memorial Playing Fields on Friday.
Haci Ozlu scored his fifth goal in four games to put Gresford ahead in the 15th minute, but Ruthin were level on the half-hour mark as Danny Holland calmly converted from the penalty spot.
The scoreline remained level for almost an hour, but Forbes stepped up in the 88th minute and slotted home a penalty of his own to haunt his former club and give Colin Caton’s side a much-needed victory in their fight for survival.
However, despite their win, Ruthin remain six points adrift of safety with only three games remaining after Penrhyncoch triumphed 3-2 over Flint Mountain at Bastion Gardens on Saturday.
Penrhyncoch made the perfect start as a brace from Rhydian Davies opened up a two-goal advantage after just 25 minutes played.
Kieran Owens’ penalty and Jonny O’Sullivan’s first goal since September saw Mountain fight back to make it two apiece, but Niall Coleridge popped up late in the day to give the Roosters a hard-fought victory, which sends them six points clear of the relegation zone and above Mountain on goal-difference.
Following the game, Mountain boss Liam Dickinson confirmed he has stepped down from his role after six months in charge.
Mold Alexandra moved up to ninth in the table with a 1-0 win over Holyhead Hotspur at The New Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides went into the break goalless, but the breakthrough arrived just two minutes after the restart as Owen Cordiner bagged his ninth goal of the season to put Mold ahead.
Mold captain Henry Nash was sent off for a second bookable offence 12 minutes later, but Barry Owen’s side held on to claim all three points and earn their third victory in four games.
Caersws ended their three-match losing streak with a 1-0 win over Rhyl 1879 at the Caersws Recreation Ground on Saturday.
The decisive moment in mid-Wales arrived with just 13 minutes on the clock as Ashley Jones bundled the ball home in the midst of a goalmouth scramble. Some key saves from Max
Williams in the second half ensured the Bluebirds kept a clean sheet for the first time since January.
Weekend results in full:
Denbigh Town 3-2 Airbus UK Broughton
Newtown 0-2 Buckley Town
Ruthin Town 2-1 Gresford Athletic
Caersws 1-0 Rhyl 1879
Flint Mountain 2-3 Penrhyncoch
Guilsfield 4-4 Holywell Town
Holyhead Hotspur 0-1 Mold Alexandra
