Colwyn Bay were crowned JD Cymru North champions on the final day of the season as they triumphed 1-0 away at Penrhyncoch.
The Seagulls needed just a point to seal the title, but claimed all three thanks to Dan Atkins’ strike in the 16thminute – his sixth goal in the last five matches. The forward raced onto Ethan Roberts’ long ball and sent a low drive beyond Leigh Jenkins from a tight angle.
A red card for Penrhyncoch defender Rhys Jenkins in first half stoppage time hampered the hosts’ comeback hopes and a goalless second period ensured that Colwyn Bay lifted the league trophy and secured promotion back to the JD Cymru Premier at the first attempt.
Jamie Reed’s stunning bicycle kick earned a 1-0 win for Ruthin Town over Bangor 1876, which kept Ruthin up and relegated their opponents in dramatic fashion.
Ruthin started the day in the relegation zone two points behind Bangor, and it was a tense afternoon at Maes Tegid with so much on the line.
But a key turning point arrived in the 61st minute when Bangor defender Jake Ellison was shown a straight red card for fouling Reed who was through on goal.
37-year-old Reed – who won the JD Cymru Premier title with Bangor City in 2011 – then produced a moment of magic in the 83rd minute as his acrobatic effort defeated Carl Jones. It was enough to condemn Bangor to an eighth consecutive defeat and third tier football next season.
Airbus UK Broughton have battled for the title all season but must settle for a second-place finish despite a 3-2 final day win away at Caersws.
James Davies played a neat one-two with Danny Warren before slotting home at the near post to open the scoring for Airbus in the 18th minute, then doubled the lead four minutes later with a dipping volley over Max Williams.
Warren made sure he claimed the division’s golden boot by heading home from Kaiden Cooke’s goal in the 34th minute for his 24th league goal of the campaign.
Caersws reduced the deficit through Rhys Hesden’s finish in first half stoppage time, while Harry Cottam headed in late on to set up a nervy ending, but Airbus held on to finish the season with a fifth consecutive away win.
Alfie Vaughan scored a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point for Denbigh Town in an entertaining 3-3 draw against Gresford Athletic at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
Haci Ozlu met Charlie Mann’s cross to the back post with a header to give Gresford the lead in the 28thminute, before Mann made it two by tapping home from close range early in the second half.
However, two goals in as many minutes for Denbigh levelled the scoreline by the hour mark. Nathan Brown halved the deficit with a simple finish from close range, before half-time substitute Owen Davies fired home into the bottom corner.
A curling finish from Ozlu saw Gresford edge back in front in the 68th minute, before Denbigh won a penalty with four minutes left on the clock but Brown saw his spot-kick saved by Lewis Dutton.
All hope was not lost for the Reds though as Vaughan fired home in the box in the 92nd minute to ensure a share of the spoils.
Dropped points for Denbigh meant that Mold Alexandra leapfrogged them to secure a top half spot with a 3-1 home win over Buckley Town.
Mold scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half to lead at the break, with Craig Rogers scoring a superb free-kick before Owen Cordiner produced a composed finish past Ryan Goldston. Cordiner then turned provider for Fabrizio Murtas to make it 3-0 six minutes into the second half.
Nick Grogan’s sweetly struck free-kick gave Buckley a glimmer of hope just after the hour mark, but there was to be no comeback from Asa Hamilton’s side.
The Bucks’ defeat allowed Llandudno to climb above them into fourth place with a 3-2 comeback victory over relegated Prestatyn Town at the Go Goodwins Stadium.
The contest was level at the break as Rob Parry’s opener for Prestatyn was cancelled out by a brilliant free-kick from Mark Cadwallader. Harvey Bennett gave Llandudno the lead early in the second half, but Parry netted his second of the afternoon to bring Prestatyn on terms in the 77th minute.
Gareth Thomas’ side were searching for just their second point away from home all season, but were beaten in the 87th minute as Callum Stephens popped up with a winner for Llandudno.
Alfie Banning was then sent off for the hosts for a second bookable offence, but Jordan Hadaway’s side were able to hold on to claim all three points.
Flint Mountain ensured a top half finish in their first season in the JD Cymru North as they held third-place Holywell Town to a 1-1 draw at the Essity Stadium.
Jamie Breese rounded Mountain goalkeeper John Danby to slot Holywell ahead in the 33rd minute, but the hosts responded immediately as Jack Parry made no mistake by converting the rebound after Ben Lawrence’s audacious effort which initially hit the crossbar.
Last season’s champions Holywell have now gone winless in four league matches for the first time since 2021.
Guilsfield achieved a top half finish for the fourth consecutive JD Cymru North season as Jamie Hyne’s quickfire double earned a 2-1 win away to bottom-of-the-table Llay Welfare.
Welfare top scorer Jonathan Collo put his side ahead four minutes into the second half, but two goals in as many minutes from Hyne shortly after the hour completed the comeback for the Guils, who finish the campaign with five consecutive victories.
JD Cymru North weekend results in full:
Caersws 2-3 Airbus UK Broughton
Flint Mountain 1-1 Holywell Town
Gresford Athletic 3-3 Denbigh Town
Llandudno 3-2 Prestatyn Town
Llay Miners Welfare 1-2 Guilsfield
Mold Alexandra 3-1 Buckley Town
Penrhyncoch 0-1 Colwyn Bay
Ruthin Town 1-0 Bangor 1876
