Guto wonder strike grabs Darans point
SUNDAY football locally, on a formal competitive basis, has come to an end with the disbanding of the North Gwynedd and Anglesey League after almost 40 years.
Secretary Merfyn Edmunds reported only five teams had come forward prepared to commit for the new season, which is about to kick-off, and clearly that tiny number would not be viable.
“Very reluctantly, we have had to pack in”, said Edmunds, who had been the original secretary in the mid-1970s, when the league was formed at an inaugural get-together of enthusiasts at a Llanfairfechan pub.
“Now, I have become the last secretary as well”, he added. “Although we live in hope that perhaps we could re-form the league for next season, if there is renewed interest”.
Only four years ago, the league was thriving, having 20-plus teams in two divisions, but the alarming downturn developed last season, when the initial 10-member sides were reduced by resignations to seven at the end.
Another damaging blow late on last season was the sudden withdrawal of backing from the league’s sponsors.
Edmunds said: “Having just five teams interested for the new season was nowhere near enough and it would have meant the league programme would have been completed by the end of October, and that is not on.
“I feel gutted by what has happened but we were left with no choice but to bow to reality.”
The five teams who had applied for 2016-17 were: Arriva Buses Bangor, newcomers Amlwch Port, King’s Head Bethesda, Treetops Benllech (to be renamed Y Dreigiau Pentraeth) and the returning students UMCB (to be known as Cymru FC).
Four of those sides – the exception being the students – have switched to join the Rhyl and District Sunday League and will have access to the North Wales Coast Sunday Challenge Cup.
GUTO LLYWELYN’S superb late equaliser earned Llanberis a point from a thrilling 3-3 draw against Glan Conwy in Division One of the Welsh Alliance.
The season opener at Padarn Road produced six goals, a sending off, and a masterclass in free kick taking.
‘Beris gave debuts to new signings Kelvin Frazer from Glantraeth, and the returning Llywelyn from Waunfawr.
The hosts started brightly and took the lead through a Gerad Laidlaw penalty on six minutes following a foul on Llywelyn.
Llanberis went two-up four minutes later, Llion Jones rising to head a Mathew Edwards corner into the roof of the net.
The Darans continued to dominate, but an incident in the 27th minute changed the complexion of the game, when home defender Nidian Huws was red carded for a petulant kick out on Glan forward Cai Moore.
The hosts defended their two-goal lead stoutly, but the visitors came out for the second half rejuvenated and pulled a goal back on 52, the impressive Moore heading home superbly from a left wing cross.
Glan captain Ant Wilson then took centre stage with two goals direct from free kicks on 57 and 77 minutes.
Llanberis battled valiantly to get something out of the game, and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Glan box on 88 minutes.
The resulting dead ball was exqui- sitely executed by the impressive Llywelyn, who had worked tirelessly as a lone striker for the 10 men. ● A late Jack Davis strike sealed Penrhyndeudraeth a 3-2 verdict at Glantraeth.
Jamie Roberts hit two for Glan, Meilir Williams doing likewise for Penrhyn. ● Jac Pearce Jones’ leveller earned promoted Nantlle Vale a 1-1 outcome at Abergele Town. ● A late own goal ensured Llanrug United pipped Llandudno Junction 4-3. Dylan Owen (pen), Gethin Phillips and Alan Mark Owen were the other ‘Rug hitmen. ● Pwllheli and Llanrwst United shared a 0-0 draw. ● In Division Two, highly-fancied Llanllyfni suffered a nightmare 3-0 defeat at Penmaenmawr Phoenix, whose keeper Dion Jones saved a twice-taken penalty. ● Newly-promoted Y Felinheli prevailed 3-1 at Gaerwen, Gruff John, Daniel Hughes and Ifan Emyr the away marksmen. ● Mynydd Llandegai romped to a 7-0 triumph at Llanfairpwll, Jamie Whitmore (2), Dylan Price Jones, Steve Tindall, Ian Owen, Mark Hughes and Wyn Morris sharing the goals. ● Reserves Division action saw Aaron Thomas Davies (2), Sam Ashworth and Gwion Jones help Caernarfon Town recover from two-down to beat Holyhead Hotspur 4-3 in a corker at the New Stadium. ● Alex Lynes and Jason Deemer gained Llanrug United a 2-1 outcome at Llangefni Town.