Ruthin Town boosted their JD Cymru North survival hopes with a crucial 1-0 victory over Buckley Town at the Memorial Playing Fields on Friday.
The contest remained goalless for over an hour, but Dan Holland popped up with his eighth goal of the season on 62 minutes to haunt his former club Buckley and secure a vital three points for the hosts.
Ruthin have still played more games than all the teams above them that they can potentially catch, but Colin Caton’s side are now just three points adrift of safety.
Holywell Town took a step closer to confirming their place in the top three with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Penrhyncoch at Cae Baker on Saturday.
Holywell’s winning goal arrived after just two minutes played as Zebb Edwards met Jamie Breese’s cutback and tucked away his first goal since returning to the club in January. The Wellmen were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time as Jake Cooke was shown a straight red card.
Penrhyncoch had the chance to equalise when Geoff Kellaway stood over a penalty in the 72nd minute, but John Danby guessed correctly and saved the penalty to ensure his side kept their first league clean sheet in over two months.
Holywell now need just one more point to confirm their spot in the top three after fourth-place Newtown were beaten 2-0 by Holyhead Hotspur, who all but confirmed their safety at The New Stadium on Saturday.
Holyhead talisman Connor Owen continued his bright form by opening the scoring inside just nine minutes with his 13th league goal of the season.
Owen’s strike remained the difference for the majority of the match, but the hosts were able to ensure victory in stoppage-time as captain Tomos Owen converted from the penalty spot. Darren Garmey’s side are not mathematically safe, but barring a massive swing in goal-difference, they will remain in the JD Cymru North next season.
JD Cymru North
League leaders Llandudno maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table with a 1-0 win away to Caersws on Saturday.
The decisive moment in mid-Wales arrived with 71 minutes on the clock as Marc Williams, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, connected with a corner and saw his header deflect into the net. Jordan Hadaway’s side held on to claim their ninth consecutive league win.
Second-place Airbus UK Broughton maintained pressure on Llandudno with a 3-0 victory over Guilsfield at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Saturday.
Airbus came extremely close to taking the lead in the first half as Josh Stephenson saw his effort denied by the post before Danny Warren had a goal ruled out for offside. However, the Wingmakers did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough as Joe Palmer curled beautifully into the top corner just four minutes after the restart.
Palmer’s strike opened the floodgates for Airbus, who doubled their advantage two minutes later as George Peers lofted the ball over the outrushing Luke Evans, allowing Warren to apply a simple finish at the back post.
Peers was provider again, this time for Jake Roberts as his low ball was finished off by the substitute at the back post. Peers nearly added his name the scoresheet late on, but his shot came back off the post. Mark Allen’s side have now won their last four league games on home turf and have not conceded a single goal during that time.
Brickfield Rangers confirmed their safety with a 2-1 win over Flint Mountain at Clywedog Park on Saturday.
Andy Vale put Brickfield ahead midway through the first half before he set up Josh Watkin, who bagged his first goal since December.
Brickfield defender Matty Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence and Luca Hogan gave Mountain a late lifeline in stoppage-time, but the hosts held on to end their three-match losing streak.
Mold Alexandra moved into the top half with an impressive 4-1 victory over Gresford Athletic at Alyn Park on Saturday.
Mold made a fast start and opened up a two-goal lead inside 24 minutes as Rhys Nash found the breakthrough and then set up teenager Harry Cartwright, who scored his first senior goal since November.
Gresford halved the deficit thanks to Haci Ozlu’s penalty moments into the second half, but late goals from Nash and Morgan Roberts sealed Mold’s biggest home victory in almost a whole year. Barry Owen’s side have also now won four out of their last five matches.
Rhyl 1879 returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 victory over Denbigh Town at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium on Friday.
Rhyl took the lead in style with only 13 minutes on the clock as Morgan Murray chased down the ball on the right hand side, cut onto his left foot and fired into the top corner from distance.
A clinical finish into the bottom corner from Dan Atkins doubled Rhyl’s lead midway through the first half before Murray bagged his second of the evening with a low drive to wrap up all three points for the Lilywhites, who strengthened their position in fifth-place.
Weekend results in full:
Rhyl 1879 3-0 Denbigh Town
Ruthin Town 1-0 Buckley Town
Airbus UK Broughton 3-0 Guilsfield
Brickfield Rangers 2-1 Flint Mountain
Caersws 0-1 Llandudno
Holyhead Hotspur 2-0 Newtown
Mold Alexandra 4-1 Gresford Athletic
Penrhyncoch 0-1 Holywell Town
