HIGH FIVES AS NOMADS CLOSE GAP AT SUMMIT

CONNAH’S Quay Nomads blasted five goals past Aberystwyth

Town with their first win since the beginning of November moving them up to second in the Welsh Premier and four points behind leaders The New Saints.

Nomads opened the scoring early on through Mike Wilde, only for a John Owen strike to peg the hosts back with 15 minutes played.

Michael Bakare’s goal restored the Nomads’ lead just two minutes later, and despite the visitors providing a stern test for much of the first half they conceded a third on the stroke of half-time with Wilde grabbing his second.

Aberystwyth continued to battle but Kai Edwards’ finish on 70 minutes effectively sealed the tie, before Melford Simpson added a fifth in added time.

Three of the weekend’s games fell victim to the weather, as fixtures at Prestatyn, Bala and

Newtown all had to be postponed. Elsewhere Barry Town

United picked up a valuable point at home to third-placed Bangor, as top scorer Kayne McLaggon scored from the spot to ensure the points were shared.

Dean Rittenberg gave Bangor the lead midway through the first period converting from a neat one-two with Gary Taylor-Fletcher, but McLaggon’s penalty after Drew Fahiya was brought down ensured Barry avoided a third consecutive defeat. In the weekend’s other game,

Llandudno were held to a draw as Carmarthen Town collected just their fifth point of the season as the match ended goalless.

Haverfordwest remain on top of the Welsh League despite being held to a surprise 2-2 draw by Port

Talbot. But their lead was reduced by Llanelli and Penybont on a day when weather severely affected the league programme.

Sean Pemberton and Jack Hurley netted for Haverfordwest while Jack Hurley and Cortez Belle from the spot were on target for the Steelmen who had a chance to win but were left to rue a Luke Bowen missed penalty.

Llanelli moved to within one point of Haverfordwest when they triumphed 3-1 at Taffs Well. Ace marksman Lee Trundle bagged two of their goals while the other came from Joe Clarke.

Penybont continued their rich vein of form with a 4-2 success at Monmouth Town.

Adam Carpenter, Joe Hopkins, Marcus Griffiths – from the penalty spot – and Bill Borge were the Penybont scorers.

Only two games survived a weather-affected weekend in the Huws Gray Alliance, as Denbigh Town took advantage of

Caernarfon’s postponement to move level on points with the league leaders.

Denbigh claimed victory in a pulsating encounter away to Rhyl that ended 5-3 to the visitors, who now trail free-scoring Caernarfon on goal difference alone.

Goals from Josh Davies and Warren Duckett looked to have sent Denbigh on their way to victory, before Mark Connolly scored twice to level the scores.

Phil Marsh struck six minutes after the restart for Rhyl to turn the game on its head, only for Kristian Pierce to level once more with 20 minutes remaining.

And late goals from Joe Culshaw and a second for Davies completed the turnaround to give Denbigh the win. In the day’s other game, Airbus

Broughton moved third after a 4-3 victory over Holyhead Hotspur.