Football

Dolgellau fail to take chances

Spar Mid Wales League

Dolgellau 1

Newbridge 2

DOGELLAU failed to build on a superb win at Aberystwyth University as they succumbed to shock defeat at home to basement team Newbridge last weekend.
Looking to avoid relegation into the new Spar Mid Wales League second division next season, Dolgellau found themselves plunged even deeper into danger.
Newbridge had only won twice previously in 22 league matches, but they produced a committed performance from the start.
Dolgellau relied on the dangerous runs from David Edwards, but he often found himself outnumbered well short of the penalty area.
Early on, Dolgellau’s Gareth Lloyd was unable to connect with a left wing cross from Martin Parkes, while at the other end Matt Aubrey fired over the bar.
The visitors opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Matt Aubrey ran clear and saw his shot saved, but Kyle Chillery was there to fire the rebound into an empty net.
Two minutes later, Iwan Kojs cut inside and shot straight at the keeper, but the visitors slowed the game down at every opportunity.
A defence-splitting pass from Gareth Lloyd sent Edwards clear and from a wide angle he squared across goal, with Woods beating Dafydd Jones to the ball.
Gareth Hughes also fired in a free kick that resulted in a goalmouth scramble, with the ball being cleared to just outside the box where Lee Riches saw his drive rebound back off the post.
On 42 minutes Edwards ran through the middle only to be brought down just outside the box, but the free kick was then wasted.
Dolgellau were punished within five minutes of the re-start, as Dolgellau lost possession on half way, and Chillery kept his composure and chipped the advancing keeper from 25 yards out.
Dolgellau battled to find a way back in a scrappy second half, with Sion Williams’ inclusion offering more composure, and this was later followed by the strength and aerial ability of Keith Morris into midfield.
With 10 minutes left, Williams shot straight at the keeper, and the ball was deflected towards the penalty spot from where Sion Lloyd fired straight at a defender.
Dolgellau finally pulled a goal back when a neat flick on the edge of the box from Williams sent Sion Lloyd clear and he clipped the ball over the diving keeper to score into the empty net.
This gave Dolgellau heart and their effort increased with a Morris shot going just over the crossbar, but the visitors held out to win.

Pictured above: Dolgellau’s Sion Lloyd nips in to score. Pic: Rod Davies.