Gr-eight performance from league leaders
WELSH Alliance Division One leaders Glantraeth achieved their biggest league win in five seasons as they caned hosts Llanrwst United 8-0 last Saturday.
Not since January 2012, when the Bodorgan side annihilated visitors Blaenau Amateurs 9-1, had they managed such a huge league victory, although cup wins by bigger margins over that period feature in the Anglesey club’s records.
This current Glantraeth side must be one of the most entertaining in the club’s history as every attack at Parc Gwydir looked likely to lead to a goal and with such a large nucleus of young players Saturday’s hammering of Llanrwst on their own patch must be right up there with any result the club has previously achieved.
The football and the finishing was a sheer delight to watch and one had to feel for the home side who showed no lack of effort but were completely overrun come the final whistle.
Llanrwst managed to hold out until the 30-minute mark before Corrig McGonigle was chopped down in the box as he took possession of a pass from Kieren Jeffreys. McGonigle put the spot kick away with a minimum of fuss and 10 minutes later Andy Barker swept the ball home as the pressure continued on the home goal.
Early pressure after the break from Llanrwst led to a couple of corners that came to nothing, then as play broke upfield McGonigle twice went close before becoming provider on 52 minutes as he threaded a ball through for Jeffreys to make it 3-0.
The home side twice fired wide as they attempted to get back in the game but had a let-off on 58 minutes as Gethin Maxwell’s shot was deflected on to a post.
Maxwell had more luck seven minutes later as his cross was pulled back by Barker for McGonigle to finish.
Two minutes later McGonigle set up Barker to score a fifth for the Anglesey aces.
Llanrwst were being completely outclassed and nine minutes from time brilliant play from Sion Hogan set up McGonigle to score with his right foot to complete his hat-trick.
Hogan deservedly got on the scoresheet himself three minutes later to blast home after McGonigle’s shot had been half saved.
In the 89th minute McGonigle kept up his phenomenal scoring rate with his 21st goal in only 11 starts for the club as he was put clear and made Pic: ALED JONES goal-scoring look simple as he rounded the keeper to give himself a simple tap-in.
This Saturday promises to produce a real cracker as table-topping Glantraeth host current Division One champions Trearddur Bay United, who are three points behind Warren Gibbs’ men with a game in hand.
The teams have met twice already this term, Bay winning a league tussle 3-1 at Lon Isallt back in August before Glantraeth gained revenge with a 1-0 away Welsh Cup triumph a month later.