Revenge in cup tie
GLANTRAETH will travel to a much-improved Llanrwst United this Saturday aiming to remain top of Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One.
Warren Gibbs’ men made it eight matches unbeaten - seven of them victories - with a cracking 3-2 triumph at Penrhyndeudraeth in the Mawddach Cup last weekend.
It was sweet revenge for the Anglesey side who had lost 4-1 to Penrhyn in the final of this very competition last season.
What a great advert for the Welsh Alliance League this game was as Glan broke Penrhyn’s hold on the Mawddach with a brilliant attacking display.
The Anglesey side scored three but it could well have been more as home keeper Robert Watson was the busiest man on the field, constantly in action as shots rained in on him, but Glan could never relax as the Gwynedd side always carried a threat going forward.
After a couple of early scares as Adam Griffiths shot narrowly wide and Meilir Williams had a shot blocked Glan began to take control with Corrig McGonigle twice having shots saved then trying an audacious lob from 40 yards out that caught out Watson only to come back off a post.
There was no stopping the Glan striker though as he put the visitors ahead on the half-hour mark from the penalty spot after being brought down by the keeper.
Glantraeth had been so much on top that it came as a massive shock as Meilir Williams struck twice approaching the interval to put Penrhyn ahead.
It seemed poor reward for Glan’s efforts but things picked up right on the half-time whistle as Jamie Jones fed McGonigle who had been a constant threat and his neat finish sent the teams off level.
It was the former Caernarfon striker’s 17th goal this term for Glan.
Harry Galeotti crossed and Jamie Jones shot over then McGonigle bent a free kick inches wide as Glan opened the second period on the offensive, then it took a fine flying save from Kieron Williams at the other end to keep out a header from substitute Pawel Romanowicz on 64 minutes.
The pressure on the home goal now really intensified as Glan launched attack after attack during a five-minute spell that saw McGonigle, Andy Barker, Sam Faulkner and Galeotti all foiled with efforts on goal.
Finally, Barker put the visitors ahead with a low volley from 20 yards out for what proved to be the winner.
Last season saw Glan defeat next opponents Llanrwst 5-1 at home and 1-0 away, but after a poor start to the current campaign, the Rwsters’ results have picked up considerably of late.