Cymru Alliance weekly round-up

By Phil Jones Cymru Alliance correspondent

Emergency striker Mike Pugh extends Gresford's lead over Llangollen

Flint United

are the new leaders of the Cymru Alliance after they secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Caernarfon Town.

They enjoyed the best of the early spoils and should have taken a sixth minute lead when a Mike Allsop corner was headed wide of the upright.

Caernarfon also went close to breaking the deadlock and Carwyn Roberts thought he had beaten host keeper Alan Jones, but his acrobatic save was worthy of note as he tipped the ball over the bar.

Flint eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Paul Williams evaded his marker to score from close range.

That is the way the score-line stayed until a frantic last five minutes, despite Flint being reduced to ten men after John Davies had been dismissed for receiving two yellow cards.

John Rowley pegged the Canaries back to level terms with a close-range header. But in injury time, and following a late sortie, Simon Thelwell bagged a last gasp winner with a curling shot from distance.

The match between Penrhyncoch and leaders Llangefni Town fell victim to the weather.

Gresford Athletic have broken their duck at long last after beating Llangollen 2-0. They deserved their success following a dogged display, an excellent performance by keeper Gareth Rowland and some weak finishing by the visitors.

The Llan alarm bells were ringing as soon as the fifth minute when Danny Brown shaved the bar. He was far more fortunate on 22 minutes, however, when his angled drive from the right flank beat Adam McGhee.

Mike Pugh, playing as an emergency striker, was able to extend Gresford’s lead, squeezing the ball past McGhee from the tightest of angles.

There was an eight goal thriller at the Globe. Buckley Town were held to a 4-4 draw by visiting Bethesda.

Phil Molyneux got Buckley off the mark in the second minute of the game, moments after Liam Caddick had scuffed a great chance for the hosts. Mike Orme deflected the ball past his own keeper Joe Makaruk for the visitors to level.

A controversial penalty converted by Gareth Davies put Bethesda in charge.

In an end to end game, Joe Desormeux kept Buckley in touch. But the game's best player, Gareth Davies, went on to complete his hat-trick as the hosts were on the rack. In a splendid fight-back, a further goal apiece from Molyneux and Desormeux was sufficient for Buckley to salvage a point.

Holyhead Hotspur were sunk 2-0 at Mold Alex who were worthy winners.

A 10th minute goal from Owain Roberts had split the sides early on, with a shot which did take a slight deflection. Terry Pughe sealed the victory after a weak Spurs defensive clearance.

What was even more pleasing for manager Danny Seamarks was the fact that it was his sides only second clean sheet of the season.

Ruthin Town appeared on their way to a 1-0 victory after a 27th minute strike from Mark Hobson had separated the sides.

But deep into injury time, they were delivered a cruel blow when Guilsfield snatched a last gasp equaliser through Graham McGill.

Berriew chalked up a narrow 2-1 win over Llanfairpwll who had led at the break through Sean Williams.

John Harris squared things on the hour mark, but a Chris Gethin effort seven minutes later proved decisive.

LEX XI raised their game to carve out a credible 2-2 draw with Llandudno. All of the goals came in an action packed first half.

Kevin Roberts provided the hosts with a fourth minute lead, but Danny Hughes was quick to wipe out the lead. Gareth Evans put the visitors ahead after some hesitancy in the LEX defence, but full credit to LEX - they took a point from this encounter when central defender Jack Jones equalised with a deft header from a Joe Garner free-kick.

LEX XI had arranged a minute's silence prior to the game in memory of former coach George McGowan who died recently following a battle against cancer. The following emotional tribute was paid to him.

"George McGowan was a perfect gentleman and was coach at LEX in the early 1990s where he forged a formidable partnership with Gareth Powell.

It was the true LEX dream team and under their stewardship, LEX lifted the Cymru Alliance League Cup in 1991 and again the following year defeating Caersws and Flint Town United respectively.

In his teens, George had a promising boxing career ahead of him in his native Scotland before leaving home to become a professional footballer with Preston North End in the early 1960s and he teamed up and shared digs with former Everton legend Howard Kendall.

He made his football league debut at Sealand Road with Chester City where he made 18 league appearances. After successful spells playing in Europe with Rhyl and Bangor City, George eventually set up home in Wrexham.

The word legend is never used lightly at LEX, but George’s five year stint with them put him in the same bracket as Ross Sankey, Alex Lucas, Sammy McMillan, Russ Edwards, Gareth Powell and Colin Wright.

A dressing room came alive when George was about and his impersonation of Norman Wisdom was something really special.

George moved to Cefn Druids with Gareth Powell but for the last decade or so, he did become heavily involved in a coaching capacity with Wrexham FC. Gone? Yes, Forgotten? Never."