Andy Vale scored a hat-trick as Brickfield Rangers moved top of the Novira Cymru North table with a statement 5-0 victory over local rivals Gresford Athletic at Clappers Lane on Sunday
Brickfield found the breakthrough in the 29th minute as Bobby Beaumont-Broadhead sent a low driven shot past Ryley Berry from the edge of the area for his first competitive goal since last November.
Gresford’s task of a comeback was made difficult towards the end of the first half as Berry was shown a straight red card. The visitors made the numerical advantage count early in the second half as Vale headed in from Ryan Williams’ cross before the Brickfield captain provided another assist as his header back across goal allowed Vale to hammer home his second of the match.
Vale completed his treble on 66 minutes with a remarkable solo effort before Josh Evans capped off a five-star performance from the Rangers as he latched onto Jay Richardson’s pinpoint pass and scored his first senior goal for the club. Brickfield have now enjoyed five-goal hauls in two of their first three matches, following on from their 5-1 win over Llanuwchllyn on the opening day.
Ruthin Town earned their first Novira Cymru North win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Vale of Clwyd derby opponents Denbigh Town at Memorial Playing Fields on Friday.
An early collision involving Ollie Farebrother meant the Denbigh goalkeeper was forced off with injury, and with no recognised goalkeeper on the bench, defender Danny Flanders took his place between the sticks. Denbigh went close to opening the scoring in first half stoppage-time as Elliott Orton’s deflected effort struck the post.
Despite hitting the woodwork and forcing Dan Goldston into some key saves, it was Ruthin who took the lead on 57 minutes through Tom Mann’s first Novira Cymru North goal in just over five years.
Colin Caton’s side doubled their advantage eight minutes later as substitute Noah Sumner slotted beneath his former Connah’s Quay Nomads academy teammate Flanders.
Denbigh immediately halved the deficit as Alfie Vaughan fired home from Luke Johnston’s cross, but Ruthin held on to claim an impressive win.
Ben Lightfoot scored a hat-trick as Rhyl 1879 secured their first league win of the season with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Caersws at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.
Lightfoot scored twice in the first half to put Rhyl in a commanding position before Ben Preece pulled a goal back for Caersws moments after the restart to open his account for his new club.
However, Dan Cockerline scored his first Rhyl goal with 20 minutes remaining to restore the two-goal advantage. Caersws kept themselves in the game as Tom Edwards grabbed the Bluebirds’ second of the afternoon, but Lightfoot completed his hat-trick late in the day to give the Lilywhites a hard-fought three points.
Bangor 1876 earned back-to-back wins with a convincing 5-0 victory over newly-promoted Llanuwchllyn at the Bangor City Stadium.
Bangor took firm control of the contest after just 25 minutes played as Adam Long and Tommy Creamer both guided their headers into the net for their first goals of the campaign.
Former Novira Cymru Premier title winners Blaine Hudson and Declan McManus also got on the scoresheet before Corrig McGonigle netted Bangor’s fifth headed goal of the afternoon late on to round off an emphatic display.
Mold Alexandra won for the first time this season as Rhys Nash’s early strike proved decisive in a 1-0 victory over Holyhead Hotspur at Alyn Park.
Nash popped up after just six minutes played to open the scoring in Flintshire for his first goal of the season. Barry Owen’s side saw out the remainder of the contest to make it six Novira Cymru North home matches unbeaten, following on from their impressive end to last season.
Newly-promoted Porthmadog maintained their unbeaten start to the season in a 1-1 draw with Buckley Town at The Globe.
Port captain Josh Banks grabbed the opener as he scored his first goal for the club since returning from a serious injury, which kept him out of action for the majority of last year.
However, Buckley equalised early in the second half as Scott McHarrie met Adam Boydell’s cross and guided his header into the top corner from close range. The Bucks threatened for the remainder of the contest, but were forced to settle for a point – their first of the season.
Novira Cymru North
Nothing could separate Newtown and Guilsfield in a 1-1 draw at Latham Park between both mid-Wales clubs.Â
The Guils took the lead midway through the first half as Alistair Williams received James Smallwood’s pass on the edge of the area and fired towards goal, with his effort taking a wicked deflection and finding the net.
Newtown were quickly awarded the chance to pull level though, as a handball inside the area resulted in a penalty. Striker Josh Astley stepped up and calmly converted to make it one apiece and score his second goal in as many games.
Both teams nearly snatched a late winner in stoppage-time, with the visitors clipping the post through Ryan Knott’s header, while Guils goalkeeper Mike Jones made a crucial fingertip save to frustrate his former club.
Weekend results in full:
Ruthin Town 2-1 Denbigh Town
Newtown 1-1 Guilsfield
Penrhyncoch P-P Bala Town
Buckley Town 1-1 Porthmadog
Bangor City 1876 5-0 Llanuwchllyn
Rhyl 1879 4-2 Caersws
Mold Alexandra 1-0 Holyhead Hotspur
Gresford Athletic 0-5 Brickfield Rangers
