BARMOUTH and Dyffryn United concluded the build-up to their midweek Cookson Cup Final with Conwy Borough at Porthmadog by taking on Llanrug United in the Welsh Alliance division one, but were beaten 3-1.
The fourth meeting between these sides this season, the last two of which were won by Carl Ryan’s men, had looked promising up to half-time, when the Wern Mynach hosts led 1-0.
Aaron Hughes levelled on 52 minutes, Alan Mark Owen scored after a free-kick on 66, and Dylan Owen punished a clearance on 72 minutes to seal their win.
Ieuan Brookes went close to trimming the arrears a couple of minutes from the end, but Barmouth ended as second-best, with thoughts quickly turning to Wednesday’s Cookson showdown.
Barmouth had two matches called off earlier in the week due to waterlogged grounds, at Wern Mynach on Monday, when St Asaph City were due to visit, and at Llangefni in midweek.
Yet more postponements were the fate of both Penrhyndeudraeth and Pwllheli on Saturday, as their respective fixtures, at home to Trearddur Bay and away to Llanrwst, also fell victim to unfit pitches. On Saturday, Llanberis versus Llandudno Albion was also cancelled.
Llangefni Town took advantage to close up on the league leaders Conwy Borough by winning 2-1 against Llandyrnog United, but they left the significant contribution late, with Matthew Jones squeezing home the deciding goal just two minutes into stoppage-time.
Both of the earlier goals in the Talwrn Road clash had come soon after the kick-off, with Llangefni’s Craig Roberts netting within four minutes and Llandyrnog’s Mark Roberts replying on 10 minutes with an equaliser.
Greenfield outperformed bottom-placed Nantlle Vale 6-1 in a match which proved to be a personal success for the home side’s Ryan Jones, who hit four goals, after two minutes, 32, 40 and 51.
Danny Calvert also scored for the Deesiders with 20 minutes played from the penalty spot, and Gareth Henley netted in open play on 42, whilst Nantlle’s Phil Warrington replied on 44.
St Asaph City edged a 3-2 result at Mynydd Llandygai, thanks to Jordan Owen scoring on 41 minutes and Jake Walker on 56 and 72, whereas the hosts gained their goals from Steve Tindall on 42 and Andy Barker on 68.
Divison Two Round-UpBLAENAU Ffestiniog Amateurs were beaten 4-3 at Aberffraw in division two, to remain third from bottom.
Keiron Ellis opened the scoring with just three minutes played, but Nathan Moore equalised on 15 and he went on to complete a hat-trick with further two goals on 48 and 75 minutes.
In-between Steve Jenkins put Aberffraw 2-1 up on 18 minutes, but the visitors battled back and Joe Dukes made it 2-2 on 35 minutes.
Moore restored the home lead after the break, but back came the Amateurs and they were rewarded when Keiron Ellis brought the sides level.
The visitors hopes were dashed by Moore’s winner, and the hosts were relieved to hear the final whistle.
Melinden were 6-0 winners at second-from-bottom Llannerchymedd, with Matthew Griffiths leading the way with a hat-trick, including a 75th minute penalty.
Paul Walburn scored on 22 minutes and Chris Marsden scored a brace on 32 and 44.
Ian Griffiths scored a hat-trick as Prestatyn Sports hammered Pentraeth 7-1 with further goals by Sam MacDougall, Tom Court, Tom McDougall and Ian Dunn - after Jack Diamond had scored for Pentraeth.
Goals from Dan Miller anad Tom Clarke earned Mochdre Sports a 2-2 draw with Llanfairpwll, who were two goals up through Gareth Parry and Moses Yoak, whilst Amlwch Town had a 0-0 draw with Llannefydd.