Title glory for Traeth
GLANTRAETH secured the first leg of what they intend to be a terrific treble when they won 3-0 at Llanberis last Thursday to clinch the Welsh Alliance League Division One title.
The Anglesey side’s quest for three trophies will continue when they take on Llanrug United in the Mawddach Cup final at Bangor City’s ground on Tuesday, May 9 (7.30pm). Then on Saturday, May 14, Glan meet Penrhyndeudraeth in the Cookson Cup final at Nantlle Vale (2.30pm).
Before that they are due to visit Llandudno Junction tonight (Wednesday, 6.30pm) and complete their league programme at Pwllheli this Saturday (2.30pm).
Last Saturday saw the champions in winning form again with a 2-1 result at Greenfield sealed by a 93rd minute winner from veteran Neil Hughes.
Tom Clarke came close to giving the visitors the lead on 10 minutes as struck a post and after 25 a great low cross from Mark Bridge was only inches away from being converted by Corrig McGonigle.
Greenfield took the lead on 36 minutes with a goal that was furiously contested by Glan as a snapshot from the edge of the area by Tom Carney found the net with keeper Ben Heald unsighted by a home player a yard in front in an offside position.
Despite his assistant flagging referee Tony Moore overruled him and awarded the goal.
In the 52nd minute McGonigle aptly scored his 52nd goal of the season to put the sides level, Gerwyn Jones heading on a Heald free kick for the striker to finish with his right foot.
With the game looking like it was headed for a draw, Hughes produced a supreme finish to seal the spoils.
Last Thursday was celebration time as Glantraeth were crowned Welsh Alliance champions for the third time in their history after an incredible run of results – losing only one and drawing two of the past 24 games after losing the opening two fixtures of the season – a run that has seen 80 goals scored and only 19 conceded.
Glantraeth came so close to taking the lead in the opening minute as Matty Lock met a corner full on with a header that was cleared off the line.
Soon after only a tremendous save from keeper Ben Heald prevented the home side going ahead.
A great double save by home keeper Louis Williams, first from Kieren Jeffreys then McGonigle, stopped Glan taking the lead just past the half-hour.
The second half saw the title favourites take charge and only an incredi- ble display by Williams in goal prevented a complete rout.
He looked unbeatable on 52 minutes as he threw himself full length to save from a fiercely struck shot from Mark Bridge. However, three minutes later Bridge fired home a 30-yard screamer to break the deadlock.
The non-stop barrage on the home goal brought further reward 18 minutes from time as Bridge’s cross from the right was headed home by Clarke.
With three minutes left the league title was secured as Sam Faulkner stroked the ball home from close in.