Gresford Athletic earned their first Novira Cymru North win of the season with an impressive 3-1 victory over Rhyl 1879 at Clappers Lane on Saturday.
Gresford striker Damase Kiwanda capitalised on a defensive error from Ryan Austin and slotted home the opening goal on 31 minutes to score against his former club.
Kiwanda was involved once again as Gresford doubled their lead four minutes before half time. The Congolese forward saw his powerful effort tipped onto the post by Stephen Bullen, but Ali Basra was there to convert the rebound and bag his first goal for the club.
Tyler Berry put the game to bed in the 71st minute as he received Kiwanda’s pass and finished off a swift counter-attack to grab his second goal in as many league games. Dan Apantaku found the net for Rhyl in stoppage time, but the damage was already done as Gresford won for the first time under Anthony Weaver.
Buckley Town secured their first away win in the league after they stormed to a 6-2 victory over Bangor 1876 at the Bangor City Stadium on Friday.
Buckley made a dream start to the contest as Ben Guest slotted into the bottom corner after just three minutes played, but Bangor were quickly back on level terms as Isaac Godwin’s corner flew directly over Bryn Owen and into the net.
Tommy Creamer’s composed finish inside the area put Bangor in front for the first time in the match, but that lead was also cut short as Guest’s free-kick from distance found the net via the underside of the crossbar. Buckley restored their lead in first half stoppage time thanks to Billy Nicholas, who forced the ball home after Bangor failed to clear a corner.
The Bucks took firm control from the hour mark onwards as Luke Mariette finished off a swift counter attack before delivering a corner into Danny Burgess, who headed in at the back post to establish a healthy three-goal cushion. Teenage substitute Caleb Afful then scored his first senior league goal by receiving Guest’s pass and finishing calmly past Josh Davies to cap off a memorable evening for Dave Evans’ side.
Buckley are now unbeaten in five out of their last six matches in all competitions, while Bangor will hope to respond under Huw Griffiths, who was announced as the club’s new manager shortly after their defeat.
Mold Alexandra climbed up to second in the table with a statement 4-2 victory over Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Saturday.
Okera Simmonds’ looping effort over Joe Smith put Bala ahead in the 19th minute, but Mold were quickly level through in-form striker Luca Hogan, who scored from Dafydd Griffith’s corner for his fifth goal in four games.
Bala edged back in front six minutes into the second half as Osebi Abadaki went on a mazy solo run and cut the ball back to Charlie Fisher, who was left with a simple finish into an empty net. However, the Lakesiders were not ahead for long as Mold scored from another corner, and this time it was Lucas Gregson who equalised from Kieran Owens’ delivery.
Bala midfielder Iwan Lewis made a brilliant goal-line clearance two minutes later, but the visitors were not to be denied again as Hogan set up Sam Duffy to complete the quick turnaround. Gregson ensured the Alex would take all three points back to Flintshire as he prodded in from a free-kick for his second of the afternoon. Mold are now unbeaten in their last seven league games, while title favourites Bala drop down to fourth-place.
Rhys Alun’s stunning late strike gave Porthmadog a remarkable 1-0 win over Newtown, whose unbeaten start to the season came to an end at Latham Park on Saturday.
The decisive moment in mid-Wales arrived when the clock ticked into the 90th minute as Alun received the ball from Osian Ellis, set his sights on goal and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner from distance, leaving Dave Jones barely any chance of the save. Porthmadog are now up to fifth in the Novira Cymru North and maintain their unbeaten record away from home, while also keeping their first clean sheet on the road.
Defeat for Newtown allowed leaders Brickfield Rangers to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table with their 2-0 victory over Denbigh Town at Clywedog Park on Saturday.
Brickfield took the lead with just over half an hour played as Josh Evans picked up the ball on the left hand side and sent a fierce effort towards goal, which took a deflection and evaded Oli Farebrother.
Lewis Wynne came off the bench to wrap up all three points for the league leaders midway through the second half with his tidy finish from the edge of the area. Brickfield have now won nine out of their first 10 league matches, while Denbigh suffered their first defeat under new manager Eddie Maurice-Jones.
Caersws won their third away league game in a row as the Bluebirds triumphed 5-2 against Llanuwychllyn at Village Hall on Saturday.
Ash Harries and Iwan Smout scored from two Sam Phillips crosses to put Caersws two goals to the good inside 31 minutes, but the contest was all square heading into half time as Llanuwchllyn forward James Davies netted a quickfire brace.
Caersws were not totally fazed by that setback though, as goals from Smout and Jake Morris restored the Bluebirds’ two-goal cushion within the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Captain Phillips provided an assist for the fourth time in the match with five minutes of normal time remaining as he set up Tommy Rowlands, who capped off a five-star performance.
Ruthin Town put an end to their five-match losing streak as they beat Penrhyncoch 2-0 at the Memorial Playing Fields on Friday.
Ruthin striker Dave Forbes failed to convert from the penalty spot after 32 minutes played, but the hosts did not have to wait much longer for the opening goal as Tom Mann rose highest from Jack Waterhouse’s cross and headed home.
Ethan Davies wrapped up all three points for Colin Caton’s side on 71 minutes with a well-guided header of his own. Ruthin’s lead was not put under much threat as they kept their first clean sheet of the season. Penrhyncoch still await their first win of the campaign.
Guilsfield were victorious away from home for the first time this season as they secured a 2-0 win over Holyhead Hotspur at The Yates Stadium on Saturday.
The Guils broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half as the ball fell kindly to Jake O’Donnell in the midst of a goalmouth scramble, which allowed the forward to volley home from close range.
Ryan Knott doubled the advantage on 64 minutes to give the visitors comfort as he finished well from a tight angle. Knott thought he had grabbed his second of the game in the closing stages, but the flag was raised offside and the goal was disallowed. Regardless of that, Gavin Allen’s side were still convincing winners and maintained their place in the top half.
Weekend results in full:
Ruthin Town 2-0 Penrhyncoch
Bangor City 1876 2-6 Buckley Town
Newtown 0-1 Porthmadog
Holyhead Hotspur 0-2 Guilsfield
Bala Town 2-4 Mold Alexandra
Brickfield Rangers 2-0 Denbigh Town
Llanuwchllyn 2-5 Caersws
Gresford Athletic 3-1 Rhyl 1879
