Nap hand for Cemaes
GLANTRAETH will deservedly end 2016 top of Welsh Alliance Division One following last Saturday’s impressive 6-1 demolition of nearest rivals Trearddur Bay United which featured a 55-yard goal from home keeper Ben Heald.
Since losing their opening two league matches of the season, Warren Gibbs’ side have gone undefeated in their next 11 outings, 10 of which have resulted in victories.
Having won and lost to Trearddur this season, enjoying success in the Welsh Cup but being beaten at Lôn Isallt in the league, last weekend’s meeting was potential unofficial ‘decider’ between the Anglesey clubs ,and it was the Bodorgan boys who emphatically claimed the honours.
Despite going behind early in the game, Glan bounced back to win comfortably and open a six-point lead at the head of the table.
On eight minutes Jordie Murphy let fly from 25 yards to give the visitors the lead with a tremendous strike.
Within three minutes it all changed as a free kick from Darren Gowans was fumbled by the keeper and Corrig McGonigle got the final touch to force the ball home.
Then within a minute McGonigle added another, heading home from a Kieren Jeffreys’ cross to make it 23 goals in 12 matches.
There were tremendous scenes of celebration on 22 minutes when keeper Heald scored a third for the home side, as his free kick taken from his own half dropped over the opposing keeper and was adjudged to have crossed the line.
Bay went close right on the halftime whistle as Craig Moore broke clear, only to see his shot strike the outside of a post.
A great tackle from Gerwyn Jones seven minutes into the second period prevented Dale Murphy getting in a shot, and two minutes later Glan were 4-1 ahead as Sion Hogan’s glancing header at the near post from a Guto Hughes free kick found the corner of the net.
What was expected to be a tight topof-the-table battle was turning into something of a rout as the home side scored a fifth on 69 minutes, as Gowans’ determination won him possession and he cut in from the right and scored from a tight angle.
With six minutes remaining Jeffreys scored the goal of the game as his long-distance left-footer crashed against the underside of the bar and over the line to complete the scoring.
Glantraeth are next in league action on Saturday, December 31, when they travel to neighbours Llangefni Town.
Gibbs’ side have already defeated Cefni twice at home this term, 4-1 in the league and 2-0 in the Cookson Cup.