Anglesey League: Arriva complete stunning turnaround but Bulls remain top (+ news from other leagues)

PICTURE by Wynne Evans shows Jerome Sillence of Bryngwran Bulls (Navy) shielding the ball against Bodorgan.

ANGLESEY LEAGUE

Arriva Bangor 3-2 Holyhead Hotspur Reserves

Kevin Jones’ side completed the most miraculous of comebacks to keep their title hopes alive.

An Owain Roberts goal in the first half had given The Reserves the lead before Adam Morris doubled their advantage early on in the second half. Some fine saves from Hotspur’s young goalkeeper had kept the scoreline the same until very, very late on in the match.

With some substitutions being made a new formation being introduced, Arriva suddenly came to life and three goals in the final six minutes were enough to the turn the tie on its head. Strikes from Liam Roberts, Mark Thomas and Jay Williams saw the home side produce a stunning comeback and claim the three points to remain second in the league table on 31 points.

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Bodorgan 0-7 Bryngwran Bulls

Kontodios (Navy) was on target in this one. PIC: Wynne Evans.

The Bulls continued their stampede towards the Anglesey League title with a straightforward win at Cae Cob.

Seven goals and seven different scores was the story of the game for Richard Owen’s side and although Craig Moore is usually the star man in that department, he didn’t bag a single one this time around.

Goals from Anton Williams, Matt Reynolds, Nik Kontodios and Arwyn Williams put the visitors in complete control of the game heading into half time. Bod held out for a bit longer in the second half, but there was still more goals to come in this one. Jerome Sillence bagged his twelfth goal of the season, before Mark Hamblin and Gwynfor Owen completed the emphatic scoreline.

The result leaves Bryngwran at the top of the tree on 39 points having played 16 games (just four to go). The pressure is now on Arriva Bangor (31 points) and Caergybi (30 points), who have both played just 13 games, to win their remaining fixtures and try to steal the title away from them.

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Cefni 4-0 Llanfairpwll

The home side maintained their fine form of late by putting in a fine display against Llanfair.

Cefni bounced back from a prolonged Christmas break in style and kept yet another clean sheet, once again showing their defensive strengths. Goals from Gary Winnard, Liam Griffiths, Ben Wright and top scorer Nathan Lewis (who now has 11 goals for the season) did the damage in this one.

Despite only forming in the summer, Cefni have taken to this league very well and currently sit in fourth place (although Hotspur who are two points behind them do have a game in hand).

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Cemaes Bay 1-1 Valley

Cemaes played their second game in four days and having been beaten five days in that previous encounter in the week, they fought hard to earn themselves a draw in this fixture.

Having lost 4-1 to Valley on the opening day of the season, the home side proved that they have come a long way since then. Liam Rodriguez was the hero on Saturday as his goal ensured a point for Cemaes, who have now earned themselves 17 points this season.

Valley on the other hand, have had a very mixed season of results. This time last year, they were top of the table – this time around they’re sixth on 19 points. That just proves that the league as a whole has certainly become a lot more competitive this season.

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Llandegfan 1-5 Pentraeth Reserves

Matt Williams mobbed after scoring. PIC: Darren Jones.

The home side remain pointless at the foot of the table after falling to a somewhat harsh scoreline at home to The Reserves who have now claimed 15 points this season.

For the first time since reforming as a club in the summer of 2017, Llandeg went into half time having not conceded a goal. Better still, they were 1-0 up at the end of the first 45 as Ryan Hughes’ third strike of the season had put them ahead.

After a frustrating first half, Pentraeth came to life in the second, with substitute Dylan Jones making a real difference in the heart of their midfield. They were level early on when Kenny Williams bagged from close range, before scoring again moments later to turn the tie on its head.

Game changer – Dylan Jones. PIC: Darren Jones.

A brilliantly worked throw-in into the box produced a calamity of errors before Williams bagged his hat-trick to make it 3-1. Llandeg were struggling to contain Pentraeth’s set-pieces and it wasn’t long before it was 4-1 – Matt Williams heading home from close range. The scoreline was completed when Kenny Williams fired a shot at goalkeeper Dan Kendrick only for the ball to slip under the goalkeeper and allow the striker in again for his fourth of the game.

The scoreline will have been a hard one for the home side to take, as they had played very well at spells, but once again it was lapses in concentration that cost them the game.

Anglesey League TOP FIVE as it stands:

Bryngwran Bulls – 39 points (16 games played)
Arriva Bangor – 31 points (13 games played)
Caergybi – 30 points (13 games played)
Cefni – 24 points (16 games played)
Hotspur Reserves – 22 points (15 games played)

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GWYNEDD LEAGUE

Gwalchmai 2-0 Talysarn Celts

The home side kept the pressure on league leaders Menai Tigers with a hard-fought win over Talysarn.

Gwalch had to wait until the second half to really get going in this one as the visitors defended well at times. The break through finally came just after the hour mark when the talented Gwion Thomas scored to put the home side ahead.

The tie was only done and dusted in the dying moments of the game when Craig Evans stepped up to convert a penalty. The win leave Gwalch just one point off the top, although leaders Menai Tigers do have a game in hand over them.

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Menai Bridge Tigers 12-1 Bontnewydd

Redmond added 3 more goals on Saturday. PIC: Wynne Evans.

The Tigers maintained their unbeaten status in the league by destroying a youthful Bont side at home in a game which truly epitomised a top v bottom of the table clash.

Sean Brett’s side were 7-0 up in the first half of a very one-sided game as goals from Kevin Roberts (2), Shaun Lock, Harry Jones (2), Kelvin Frazer and Dean Redmond saw Menai cruising to a win.

In the second half, top scorer Redmond bagged on 54mins before Dave Baston made it 8-0 just before the hour mark. Josh Williams then pulled one back for Bont before Harry Jones completed his hat-trick, Harry Vaughan scored and Redmond hit his third to complete a truly emphatic scoreline for Menai.

Gwynedd League TOP FIVE as it stands: 

Menai Tigers – 31 points (11 games played)
Gwalchmai – 30 points (12 games played)
Glantraeth – 24 points (12 games played)
Llangoed – 20 points (12 games played)
Bro Goronwy – 16 points (11 games played)

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WELSH ALLIANCE ONE

Llandudno Junction 1-4 Greenfield

Llangefni Town 2-1 Llanberis

Llanrug United 3-0 Prestatyn Sports

Llanrwst United 0-3 Bodedern Athletic

Mynydd Llandegai 1-1 Nantlle Vale

Penrhyndeudraeth 4-2 Llandyrnog United

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WELSH ALLIANCE TWO

Aberffraw 2-0 Llanefydd

Amlwch Town 0-2 Gaerwen

Glan Conwy 1-0 Kinmel Bay

Holyhead Town 1-2 Blaenau Amateurs

Pwllheli 6-1 Mochdre Sports

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