Brickfield Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Novira Cymru North to six points with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Porthmadog at Y Traeth on Saturday.
The decisive moment arrived eight minutes before half time as teenager Lewis Wynne tucked away the rebound from Bobby Beaumont’s saved effort to bag his fourth goal in five games. Adverse weather conditions limited the number of chances for either side, which allowed Brickfield to see out the game and secure their third consecutive away win.
Promise Mmadi scored a late equaliser as Rhyl 1879 marked their first game since Paul Moore’s departure with a 2-2 draw against second-place Newtown at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.
Joel Giblin, who is the son of Rhyl’s new interim boss Steve Giblin, put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute by firing home the loose ball from Josh Jones’ initial strike which was blocked. However, Newtown immediately equalised thanks to a moment of magic from Jamie Hyne, who sent a spectacular volley from 30 yards out beyond Stephen Bullen for his ninth league goal of the season.
Newtown substitute Hanoch Boakye, who had only been on the pitch for just four minutes, turned the game around for the Robins with a clinical strike into the far corner. Jay Owen’s side needed to see out the final five minutes to continue their perfect away record, but Mmadi had other ideas as he latched onto Bullen’s long ball and slotted past the outrushing Dave Jones to salvage a point for the Lilywhites.
There was even more late drama on Saturday afternoon as Aled Parry scored a stoppage time equaliser to rescue a 3-3 draw for Llanuwchllyn against their local rivals Bala Town at Village Hall.
This local derby lived up to its name with a frantic opening half hour as Dan Holland’s penalty gave Llanuwchllyn the lead inside three minutes, only for John Owen and Tom Jones to find the net and complete a quick turnaround for Bala.
Llanuwchllyn made it two apiece through Ilan Ap Gareth Jones in the 56th minute, but the hosts found themselves trailing again midway through the second half as Charlie Fisher scored his fifth goal of the season.
Fisher’s strike looked like it was going to give Bala all three points, but Parry popped up in the first minute of stoppage time to salvage a point for the home side. Bala defender Will Bell was shown a straight red card following the full time whistle.
Rhys Tilsley’s brace saw Guilsfield staged a stunning late comeback to earn a point in an action-packed 2-2 draw away to Caersws.
Caersws took the lead with 27 minutes on the clock as Callum Francis-Jones prodded home from Jake Humphreys’ free-kick. Guilsfield had a great chance to equalise shortly past the hour mark as Jake Cook stood over a penalty, but his spot kick was saved by Max Williams.
Cook’s penalty miss was punished as the Bluebirds doubled their advantage in style with 17 minutes remaining through Ash Harries, who picked out the top corner with a sweet strike from distance. Tempers flared five minutes after Harries’ stunner as Guils defender Callum Bromley was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, while Caersws’ Tom Edwards was also sent off for an altercation.
Tilsley gave the Guils hope on 85 minutes as he met Alex Buxton’s cross, turned sharply inside the area and fired past Williams. Caersws tried to hold onto their narrow lead, but they were forced to settle for a point as Tilsley met Billy Clarke’s header back across goal and bagged his second of the afternoon to ensure the visitors strengthened their place in the top half.
Connor Owen scored twice from the penalty spot as Holyhead Hotspur climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Buckley Town at The Globe.
Both teams went into the break goalless, but Holyhead talisman Owen seized upon his glorious opportunities and calmly converted two penalties within the first nine minutes of the second half. It remained a quiet afternoon for visiting goalkeeper Guto Hughes as Holyhead kept their first clean sheet of the season, while Buckley’s afternoon ended in even more frustration when Dan Burgess was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Novira Cymru North results in full:
Denbigh Town P-P Gresford Athletic
Buckley Town 0-2 Holyhead Hotspur
Bangor City 1876 P-P Ruthin Town
Rhyl 1879 2-2 Newtown
Caersws 2-2 Guilsfield
Llanuwchllyn 3-3 Bala Town
Penrhyncoch P-P Mold Alexandra
Porthmadog 0-1 Brickfield Rangers
