Glan beat Trearddur to stay on treble track
THE treble remains very much on for Glantraeth. Last weekend, the Bodorgan club reached the Mawddach Challenge Cup final by thrashing Anglesey rivals Trearddur Bay United 6-1.
Warren Gibbs’ side are already top of Welsh Alliance Division One and have reached the Cookson Cup final, so a triple success stays on the islanders’ radar.
A hard-fought and tremendously entertaining semi-final played in testing conditions last Saturday ended with Glantraeth simply overpowering a good Trearddur Bay side to run out 6-1 winners.
They will now meet Llanrug United in the Mawddach Challenge Cup Final, date and venue to be arranged.
Glan took the lead on 21 minutes as Kieren Jeffreys drove into the heart of the Bay defence before releasing the ball to Dylan Williams, who powerfully struck a low shot that found the net, passing just inside a post.
Eight minutes later the visitors were back on terms as a long ball put Bryn Roberts clear, and although keeper Ben Heald made a great save from his first effort, the ball fell nicely for Roberts to follow up and score with his second attempt.
The goals continued to flow as Glantraeth went back in front just past the half-hour mark as Shaun Lock put in a well-driven cross from the left that found Mark Bridge, who maintained his cool to control the ball before pick- ing his spot.
There had been little to choose between the sides, and the second half looked no different as Jeffreys fired wide for Glan and Asa Thomas shot just over for Bay.
But the tie’s crucial fourth goal came on 75 minutes as the home side piled on the pressure to open some real daylight between the teams, Corrig McGonigle twice having close range efforts saved before Jeffreys blasted the ball high into the net.
Glantraeth now went for the kill as they began to dominate with some superb football in the conditions, and got a fourth four minutes later.
Andy Barker, just on as a substitute, was the architect, linking up well with Dylan Willams on the right before setting up McGonigle to get number 43 of the season with a low right-footer.
Barker was again influential in setting up a fifth on 84 minutes with Jef- Pic: ALED JONES freys getting his second, his shot passing just inside a post despite keeper Elliot Smith’s best efforts to keep it out.
Two minutes later Harry Galeotti brilliantly beat his marker on the goal line before creating an angle to shoot home and make the final score 6-1.
In Saturday’s other Mawddach semi-final, Llanrug advanced with a very impressive 4-1 triumph at Llandyrnog United.