Kristian Platt scores the Airbus equaliser Prestatyn, who went on to win the Alliance clash 2-1.

Bangor City Edge Closer To Alliance Leaders Airbus

Marc Williams and substitute Sam Jones scored Bangor City’s goals in their away win against Buckley Town away in the Huws Grey Cymru Alliance.

It was a timely win for the Citizens on the same day runaway leaders Airbus Broughton suffered a home defeat.

“A thoroughly professional performance,” said City player-manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher. “The lads dug in and really responded well.

“I cannot fault anyone. They all put the effort in and I the quality we had coming off the bench with the young lads was superb.

“We need consistency. Everyone knows the standards we set ourselves and we need to produce that each week. 

“They were all spot on and right the way through the game they were excellent. Magnificent.”

Bangor will look to move closer leaders Airbus on Friday when they are at home against Denbigh Town at the VSM Stadium on Friday (7.30pm).

They also have a game in hand on the Wingmakers and still have to play them once more in the Alliance this season.

Alex Darlington missed an early Bangor penalty when his spot-kick was saved by Joe Makaruk after the goalkeeper fouled Taylor Fletcher.

The Citizens went ahead with 76 minutes gone when Williams steered his effort into goal after Sam Barnes headed a Jake Phillips corner back across goal.

Jones then doubled Bangor’s lead four minutes from the end when he slotted home from 15 yards after good work by Williams.

Callum Humphries was Bangor’s man of the match, while goalkeeper Gruff Evans kept a clean sheet.

Bangor controlled most of the action with Yalany Baio and Taylor-Fletcher at the heart of their passing moves.

With 20 minutes left City sent on Jones for Robbie Parry, running the channels and making life difficult for defenders.

Mosta FC, who play in Premier League Malta, are keen to sign Bangor City players Alex Darlington and Anthony Stephens.

The Citizens confirmed that an offer has been made, but both Stephens and Darlington were in the squad for their 2-0 win at Buckley Town.

Mosta have former Bangor director of football Stephen Vaughan on their coaching staff.

Bangor City goalkeeper Gruff Evans ket a clean sheet against Buckley.

The Citizens have already seen Les Davies leave the cub to join JD Welsh Premier League Llandudno.

Buckley Town: Joe Makaruk, Josh Gannon (Chris Roberts 78), Dylan Roberts, Josh Jones, Callum Humphries, Lewis Hone, Aaron Williams (Phil Molyneux 83), Kieron Moore, Shaun Tinsley (Connor Littler 70), Aled Bellis, Adam Eden. 

Bangor City: Gruff Evans, Mike Williams, Anthony Stephens, Yalany Raio, Sam Barnes, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Jake Phillips, Alex Darlington (Alex Boss 83), Marc Williams (Gethin Thomas 90), Robbie Parry (Sam Jones 70), Jacob Farleigh. Subs not used: Nathan Wolland, Luke Purcell.

Manager of the month Neil Gibson’s Prestatyn inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Airbus Broughton. 

They led 1-0 at the break thanks to an Ian Griffiths goal on 35 minutes, while Kristian Platt equalised for Airbus 10 minutes into the second half.

It was Dave Hayes who netted the winner for Prestatyn on 74 minutes

Porthmadog closed the gap on Airbus with a 4-2 home win against Penrhyncoch. Julian Williams opened the scoring for Port after 21 minutes only for Sion James goal to level the scores before the interval. 

Goals for Ifan Emley and Gruff Williams saw Porth take control in the second half before, two minutes from time, a Jon Evans penalty gave Penrhyn hope of securing a point.

Shaun Cavanagh secured victory for Porthmadog with their fourth goal during injury time.

Tom Bailey gave Llanrhaeadr YM the lead at Rhyl after 28 minutes only for Barry Torrance to level two minutes later. Mike Prichard and James Murphy added second half goals to earn Rhyl a hard-earned victory.

A goal in each half from centre-back Jack Jones gave Gresford Athletic a 2-0 win at home to Denbigh Town

After a goalless first half at Ruthin Town, where Holywell Town were visitors, Llyr Morris fired the home side ahead five minutes into the second half.

Matt Harvey equalised on 66 minutes before Tom Roberts fired Ruthin’s winning goal in a 2-1 success.

Attacking midfield player Kyle Smith was man of the match for Flint Town United in their 4-1 win at bottom club Holyhead Hotspur. He scored Flint’s first goal with a powerful strike and helped set up two more.

All four Flint goals came before half-time with Smyth firing home from 25 yards following an Andy Brown pass before Luke Blondel added their second.

Sam Jones scored for Bangor City in their Huws Grey Alliance win against Buckley Town.

Richie Foulkes converged a penalty after 38 minutes and then Brown ran onto a Brandon Burrows pass and despite being forced wide, scored from an angle.

Mel McGuiness netted for Holyhead soon after half-time, but that was the end of the scoring and Flint took all three points.

Holyhead Hotspur: Carl Jones, Caio Hywel (Rees Brown 40), Kenleigh Owen, Corey Jones, Alex Jones (capt), Tom Clarke, Mike Kelly, Sam Ashworth, Mel McGinness (Harry Lewis 65), Jamie McDaid (John Littlemore 68), Luke McGivern. Sub not used: Mervyn Williams

Flint Town United: Aaron Jones, Tom Kemp, Sam Hart, Jacques Welsh, Ieaun Hewitt, Brandon Burrows (Socrates Martins 78), Andy Brown (Jack Higgins 70), Richie Foulkes (capt), Luke Blondel (Jake Hampson 88), Mark Cadwallader, Kyle Smith. Subs not used: Alieu Sheriff, Johnny Hill.

Ten-man Conwy Borough won 2-1 at Guilsfield thanks to goals from Corrig McGonigle and Sean McCaffrey, both scored in the last two minutes.

Conwy goalkeeper Ben Heald was sent off during the first half and Guilsfield took the lead.

“The game could scarcely have started any worse for us, 1-0 down and having our ‘keeper harshly sent off in the first 25 minutes,” said Conwy manager Warren Gibbs.

“We had to reshuffle our shape and concede that we would have less of the ball. Credit to centre half Gerwyn Jones for taking up the gloves following Ben’s red card.

“It is also credit to the lads and the character in the squad that after equalising on 88 minutes from a penalty converted by McGonigle, McCaffrey produced a moment of quality in stoppage time to grab the winner.”

Huws Grey Cymru Alliance fixtures

Friday, January 11: Bangor City v Denbigh Town (7.30pm), Prestatyn Town v Holywell Town (7.30pm), Penrhyncoch v Rhyl (8pm).

Saturday, January 12: Gresford Athletic v Guilsfield (2pm), Ruthin Town v Airbus Broughton (2pm), Conwy Borough v Buckley Town (2.30pm), Llanrhaeadr YM v Holyhead Hotspur (2.30pm), Porthmadog v Flint Town United (2.30pm).

Results: Airbus Broughton 1, Prestatyn Town 2; Buckley Town 0, Bangor City 2; Guilsfield 1, Conwy Borough 2; Holyhead Hotspur 1, Flint Town United 4; Porthmadog 4, Penrhyncoch 2; Rhyl 3, Llanrhaeadr YM 1; Gresford Athletic 2, Denbigh Town 0; Ruthin Town 2, Holywell Town 1.

Huws Grey Cymru Alliance – top eight

Rank Teams Played GD Pts
1 Airbus Broughton 18 33 46
2 Porthmadog 18 18 36
3 Bangor City 17 26 34
4 Flint Town United 17 17 34
5 Rhyl 18 11 34
6 Gresford Athletic 18 2 26
7 Ruthin Town 17 -5 25
8 Guilsfield 17 -10 22

ALLIANCE LEADING GOALSCORERS

12 Alex DARLINGTON (Bangor City)
11 Llyr MORRIS (Ruthin Town)
11 Corrig McGONIGLE (Conwy Borough)
11 Mark CADWALLADER (Flint Town United)
10 Asa HAMILTON (Airbus Broughton)
10 Ian GRIFFITHS (Prestatyn Town)
8 Steven BLENKINSOP (Guilsfield)
8 Shaun CAVANAGH (Porthmadog)
7 Lewis BUCKLEY (Airbus Broughton)
7 Jake EYRE (Gresford Athletic)
6 Ben NASH (Rhyl)
6 James MURPHY (Rhyl)

The JD Welsh Cup fourth round tie between Bangor City and Caernarfon Town has been selected for live TV coverage by competition broadcast partners S4C.

The rivals will meet for the first time since 2015 on Saturday, January 26 at the VSM Bangor City Stadium (7.30pm).

Other ties involving Huws Gray Alliance teams: Airbus UK Broughton v The New Saints, Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC v Rhyl.

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