Vale aiming for six of the best
NANTLLE Vale face a major test tonight (Wednesday) when they aim to make it six Welsh Alliance Division One victories in a row at the expense of high-flying visitors Llanrug United.
Vale’s stunning start to the campaign continued last Saturday when they thrashed a strong Llandudno Albion 6-1 at Maes Dulyn.
Nantlle looked dangerous from the start and, eight minutes in, a great ball came into the penalty area from the right.
With Daniel Evans on fire this season, he had a chance to put his name on the scoresheet early on but, unfortunately, his attempt went flying past the post.
Vale were still very positive in their play and dealing with anything Albion had to offer. Sion Williams was back in the starting 11 and it was clear to see the team had missed his talent and energy in the middle of the park.
On 21 minutes, Williams made a late run into the penalty area and lashed into the roof of the net.
From this point onwards, Nantlle would have gone in at the break with a resounding lead but for an outstanding first half performance by Albion’s Leon Jones, a young keeper on loan from Bangor City.
Nonetheless, two minutes before the break, Williams came up with another goal, placing the ball into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later, Albion took advantage of poor play from Vale and countered swiftly, Lee Ellis finishing off the move with a great finish right on half time.
With Albion looking to take advantage of their goal before the interval, they came out strong for the second half, having the majority of possession, but Vale dealt well with what they had to offer.
The visitors’ sloppy play at the back cost them on 63 minutes. Hard work from Aaron Davies-Thomas released Evans through the middle.
With only the goalkeeper to beat, Evans netted to make it four goals in five for the striker.
This seemed to kill the game off, as it was onesided from here on.
Ashley Owen, who has starred since the start of the season, went down with an ankle injury which forced him off, Phil Warrington coming on to replace him on 68 minutes.
Gavin Edwards took the field in place of Evans on 73 minutes. Edwards had an immediate effect, holding the ball up well, the hosts looking dangerous every time he got the ball.
Sion Williams left the action to loud applause on 80 minutes, Tomos Williams coming on for his first appearance.
In the last 10 minutes, Vale showed their quality, Rob Daniels driving a shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner for 4-1.
Then it was the Gavin Edwards show to finish the game, two great individual goals on 85 and 90 minutes rounding things off in style.
Vale were once again unlucky with another long-term injury to deal with, already having two key players sidelined for most of the season and their captain out for another few weeks.
Now comes a big test at Maes Dulyn against Llanrug this evening, followed by a Welsh Cup tie at home to Gaerwen this Saturday.