Eddie Maurice-Jones began life as Denbigh Town manager in style as his side claimed an impressive 5-2 win over Novira Cymru North title favourites Bala Town at Central Park on Friday.
Maurice-Jones was appointed new Denbigh manager following Dewi Llion’s departure earlier in the week, and his team were gifted the lead after just nine minutes played as Aron Williams’ pass back to La’trell Jones rolled straight past the outrushing Bala goalkeeper and into the net.
Dan Flanders doubled Denbigh’s advantage by scrambling the ball home from Fin Starkey-Jones’ corner for his first goal since January. Nathan Burke halved the deficit for Bala, but Denbigh quickly had their two-goal cushion back as Elliott Orton headed in from another pinpoint delivery from Starkey-Jones.
The goals continued to fly in as Bala captain John Owen tucked away a simple rebound, only for Denbigh to add a fourth goal in the 66th thanks to Ffranc Vaughan-Evans’ calmly converted penalty.
Vaughan-Evans produced a powerful finish after neat work from Tom Smith to bag himself a brace and round off a five-star performance from Denbigh, who earned a statement first home win of the season.
Corrig McGonigle scored a hat-trick as Bangor 1876 stormed to a 5-1 victory over Penrhyncoch at Cae Baker.
Bangor remarkably established a three-goal lead with just nine minutes on the clock as Declan McManus opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season before McGonigle put the visitors in a commanding position with two clinical finishes inside the area.
McGonigle completed his hat-trick in the 16th minute as Bangor ultimately put the result beyond doubt already.
Penrhyncoch captain Geoff Kellaway pulled a goal back for the Roosters at the start of the second half, but Bangor made it a five-star performance with two minutes of normal time remaining as Jack Burman went on a magnificent solo run towards the edge of the area and picked out the bottom corner for his first goal for the club. Bangor are now up to fourth in the table, while a heavy defeat for Penrhyncoch leaves them bottom of the table.
Novira Cymru North leaders Brickfield Rangers secured their third consecutive victory and clean sheet with a 2-0 triumph away to Caersws.
Brickfield nearly took the lead in the first half when Andy Vale’s chipped effort struck the post, but the visitors eventually found the breakthrough on 65 minutes as Gerson Silva sent a stunning strike into the top corner for his first goal of the season.
Defender Matty Williams ensured Brickfield maintained their two-point lead at the summit late in the day as he headed home from Charley Edge’s cross. Gary Wilson’s side now have seven wins already this season, which equals the amount they achieved after 22 games last season.
Newtown maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign as Jamie Hyne scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Holyhead Hotspur at the Yates Renewable Energies Stadium.
The decisive moment in Anglesey arrived midway through the second half as Hanoch Boakye, who had only been on the pitch for one minute, put a delivery across goal, which allowed talisman Jamie Hyne to tap home his eighth goal of the season.
The Robins were gutsy once again and held on to claim their third consecutive 1-0 win and sixth clean sheet of the season.
Buckley Town earned their first point away from home after they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Rhyl 1879 at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.
Buckley made the perfect start to the contest and opened up a two-goal lead inside just seven minutes as Dylan Proctor scored against his former club with a cool finish before Ben Guest tapped home from Liam Ellis’ cross.
Josh Jones bagged a brace to bring Rhyl level heading into half time though, as he dispatched a penalty before netting his fourth goal of the season.
Buckley restored their lead five minutes into the second half where Guest fired in his second goal of the game at the back post after meeting Connor Littler’s cross.
The Bucks held on to their narrow advantage for the majority of the second half, but their former striker Max Moore haunted his old club with an equaliser in the 80th minute to salvage a point for the Lilywhites, who have come from behind to earn five points from their last three matches.
Porthmadog returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as they beat Ruthin Town 3-0 at Y Traeth.
Porthmadog took the lead in the 27th minute as captain Cai Jones rose highest from Osian Ellis’ corner and headed in his first goal of the season.
Luke Baum’s quickfire brace in the early stages of the second half gave Port comfort as the hosts ended their three-game winless run to move up to sixth in the table.
Llanuwchllyn equalised twice to rescue a 2-2 draw with fellow in-form side Mold Alexandra at the MKH Stadium.
Sam Duffy gave Mold the dream start inside six minutes with his first goal of the season, but new Llanuwchllyn signing Dan Holland brought the visitors level by converting from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark.
Luca Hogan’s fourth goal in as many games saw Mold edge back in front eight minutes into the second half, but Llanuwchllyn were all square just seconds later thanks to striker Will Owen. Neither side could find a winning goal as Mold extended their unbeaten streak to six matches, while Llanuwchllyn earned their first point on the road this season.
Gresford Athletic ended their wait for a first Novira Cymru North point as the Colliers drew 1-1 with Guilsfield at Clos Mytton.
Novira Cymru North
Tyler Berry put Gresford ahead inside just six minutes as he latched onto a diagonal ball and sent a clinical low effort past Mike Evans.
Harvey Jones volleyed narrowly wide and Billy Clarke saw his header cleared off the line as the Guils were left frustrated in the first half, but they eventually found their leveller through Ryan Knott, who received Jones’ through ball, rounded Ryley Berry and converted into an empty net to rescue a point.
Weekend results in full:
Denbigh Town 5-2 Bala Town
Porthmadog 3-0 Ruthin Town
Holyhead Hotspur 0-1 Newtown
Rhyl 1879 3-3 Buckley Town
Caersws 0-2 Brickfield Rangers
Guilsfield 1-1 Gresford Athletic
Mold Alexandra 2-2 Llanuwchllyn
Penrhyncoch 1-5 Bangor City 1876
