Football: Bethesda Athletic FC convincing against strugglers

Feb 3 2010

BETHESDA ATHLETIC 3 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 0

AFTER their midweek humbling at Holyhead, Bethesda bounced back in style with a comfortable home victory over bottom side Gresford on Saturday.

Manager Chris O’Neal played a 4-3-3 formation and Pesda started well, only fine saves from visiting keeper Gareth Rowland denying Gareth Davies and Craig Roberts.

Gresford were not at Parc Meurig for the ride, however, and they hit the bar, forced Steve Thomas into a fine save and saw Gareth Owen make a desperate goal-line clearance.

Bethesda needed a goal and it came on 25 minutes when a long crossfield pass from Mark Thomas found Chris Evans on the left and he calmly pulled the ball back for Roberts to hammer home from eight yards.

Further fine stops from Rowland prevented more home goals before the interval.

After the break the Colliers attacked in a bid to level matters, but in doing so left gaping holes at the back.

Home striker Gareth Davies received a good pass and had two defenders to beat, but in the tussle to progress he suffered a hurt back and was unable to continue, Richard Owen replacing him.

Owen soon made his mark when he took on a long delivery from Thomas, brought it down expertly, chipped over an advancing defender and volleyed home an unstoppable shot for his 10th goal of the season.

The second goal was the killer for Gresford who now started to look drained.

Within minutes, good build up play in midfield and a inch-perfect pass from Nigel Barry left Jamie Whitmore to open up the defence.

Whitmore’s shot was well saved but could only be parried into the path of Roberts who slotted home for his second goal of the game and ninth of the campaign.

DENBIGH TOWN 1 LLANFAIRPWLL 2

Arwyn Owen’s ice-cool finish four minutes from time secured a crucial three points for Llanfairpwll and lifted them ever closer to the so-called elite top eight.

The 17-year-old Owen had run his heart out all afternoon and the winning goal was just reward.

The first half was a dour affair with few chances at either end, but Denbigh took a 25th minute lead when Ian Evans’ 30-yard shot hit the post and went in off the back of unlucky keeper Ben Heald.

Early in the second half came a major turning point when Town striker Tom Mutton looked to have been brought down in the box, but the officials waved play on.

Soon after there was a penalty call at the other end when Kelvin Frazer went down under challenge from the Denbigh keeper and this time the spot- kick was awarded.

Iwan Williams stepped up to score his 14th goal of the season.

Llanfair should have edged ahead when great work by Owen set up Williams, but he hit the base of the post.

Four minutes from time a long ball from Phil Williams saw Owen win possession ahead of the Denbigh defender, draw the keeper and slot in the deciding goal.

"Five of the six teams below us still have to come here, so we have a good chance of a decent finishing position," said Llanfair secretary Alan Mummery.

This Saturday Llanfair are home to Lex XI (2pm).