Colwyn Bay are the new leaders in the JD Cymru North after Dan Atkins’ stoppage-time strike secured a 2-1 comeback win away at Caersws on Saturday afternoon.
All of the goals came in the final third of the game, with Caersws opening the scoring on 71 minutes when Rhys Hesden raced through on goal and calmly slotted past Rhys Williams. Bay were behind for just seven minutes though as Sol Forde tapped in from close range.
It looked as though the points would be shared in Powys, but substitute Atkins popped up in the 97th minute to prod home from a header back across goal and snatch victory for the visitors. Bay are now two points ahead of second-place Airbus, but the Wingmakers have a game in hand.
Haci Ozlu scored twice as Gresford Athletic moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win away at Llay Miners Welfare on Saturday.
Ozlu opened the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time after he had been brought down in the box by Welfare goalkeeper Henry Green, while the forward doubled the advantage in the 70th minute with a clinical finish.
Paul Johnson added a third goal four minutes later with a shot on the turn, before Jonathan Collo’s fourth goal in six games got Welfare on the scoresheet shortly after.
Yet it proved little more than a consolation for the division’s bottom side, while Ozlu missed the chance to complete a hat-trick in stoppage time when he was again fouled in the box but this time saw his penalty saved by Green.
Bangor 1876 earned their first league victory since November as Ryan Stratulis’ brace inspired a 4-2 home win over Prestatyn Town on Friday night.
The hosts scored one of the quickest goals of the season as Corrig McGonigle tapped home from Dylan Summer-Jones’ low cross inside the first 20 seconds, while Summer-Jones was the provider again in the 19thminute as his cross was turned in by Stratulis.
Whatever was said in the Prestatyn dressing room at half-time clearly worked, as the Seasiders scored twice in the first 17 minutes of the second period to draw level. Rob Hughes found the net with a low drive from just outside area, before Zebb Edwards prodded home from close range.
Prestatyn’s momentum was halted six minutes later however, as Stratulis restored Bangor’s lead after being teed up by McGonigle. Victory was sealed in stoppage time by Liam Morris, who produced a composed finish following a swift counter-attack.
Penrhyncoch remain unbeaten on home turf since October following a 0-0 draw with Buckley Town at Cae Baker on Saturday – only the third goalless stalemate in the JD Cymru North this season.
It was a scrappy encounter in tricky conditions, with Penrhyncoch substitute Elliott Jones sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence. The Roosters have slipped to 13th in the table, but are three points above the relegation zone with three games in hand over 14th-place Ruthin Town.
In the JD Cymru South, Cwmbran Celtic scored a stoppage time equaliser to draw 2-2 at home against Taffs Well on Saturday – denying the visitors a first win in nine league games.
Celtic were 1-0 up at the break after captain Andrew Larcombe headed home from Sam Powell’s cross in the 34th minute, while Taffs Well were reduced to 10 men in first half stoppage time as Logan Shephard was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.
It became 10 v 10 early in the second half as Celtic midfielder Isaac Powell was dismissed for a late challenge, with the Wellmen equalising five minutes later through Reece Perry’s penalty.
Josh Anderson’s side edged in front in the 81st minute through new signing Harry Jones, who was making his first start for the club, but the visitors were down to nine men three minutes later as Paolo Marenghi was shown a second yellow.
The Wellmen almost held on for three points, but Celtic won a penalty in the 95th minute which Larcombe fired home to salvage a draw. Taffs Well’s first goalscorer Perry was shown a straight red card for his protests following the penalty as they ended the contest with just eight players.
Celtic are now unbeaten in their last four matches and three points clear of the relegation zone, while Taffs Well remain seven points adrift of safety.
Llantwit Major made it three wins from their last four matches as they triumphed 4-2 at home over Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Saturday.
Ben Stait’s side were 2-0 up inside the opening 11 minutes as Josh Morgan broke the deadlock before setting up Matty Kimmins.
Rangers’ January signing Rameer Outlaw scored his first goal for the club to half the deficit three minutes before half-time and the visitors were then level just after the hour mark courtesy of Brandon Davies’ seventh league goal of the season.
However, Major restored their lead four minutes later as Ioan Emanuel scored directly from a corner. The hosts’ captain then wrapped up all three points for the hosts with another stunning strike shortly after as Ben Stait’s side climbed up to fifth in the table.
JD Cymru North results:
Bangor 1876 4-2 Prestatyn Town
Caersws 1-2 Colwyn Bay
Llay Miners Welfare 1-3 Gresford Athletic
Penrhyncoch 0-0 Buckley Town
JD Cymru South results:
Cwmbran Celtic 2-2 Taffs Well
Llantwit Major 4-2 Penrhiwceiber Rangers
