A WELL-TAKEN hat-trick from Jonathan Evans set up Penrhyncoch’s first win of the campaign in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance when getting the better of Gresford Athletic 3-1 at Cae Baker.

After two closely fought defeats, it was the perfect riposte for the Roosters, who produced an encouraging display to run out 3-1 winners and lift themselves up to 11th place in the table, and with a game in hand on a number of sides above them.

The Latics looked a threat themselves in perfect conditions, but they finished the game with nine men after the dismissals of their lively winger Tom Freeman in the first half, and Dave Mcintyre late on.

“I was a bit worried with Steff Davies, who was our best player in the first two games, being away, but everyone manned up and put a shift in,” said Penrhyncoch boss Gari Lewis.“I thought we looked sharp and dangerous, we created chances and it was a good all round performance.

“It would not have been the end of the world if we had lost the game, but it’s very nice to get the first points on the board.

“Gresford are a good side, and when they went down to 10 men, they worked hard and made things difficult for us,

“They had chances, and hit the bar, but we also had our opportunities, and it was a great hat-trick from Jonathan Evans. In the end we could have been out of sight.”

Both sides started in the basement regions, and both had their chances, before Penrhyn took the lead with a deflected free kick from Evans in the 29th minute.

Gresford were then reduced to 10 men after Freeman was dismissed when throwing the ball at Sion James in frustration.

Evans missed a golden chance to add a second before the break when firing over, while a couple of good saves from visiting keeper Mike Platt kept his side in the hunt.

Despite the absence of striker Steff Davies, who was at a family wedding, the Roosters looked a threat going forward, and their efforts were finally rewarded 10 minutes from time when Evans cut in to fire home with an excellent solo effort.

Gresford had a second player, substitute Mcintyre, red-carded in the 86th minute, and from the resulting free kick, Evans sent an exquisite effort into the net.

The Latics pulled back a last minute consolation through Rhys Lloyd, but the Roosters were home and dry by that stage.

Carwyn Jones made a pleasing debut at right back, while Owain James and Rob Murfet again impressed in midfield.

With Wales playing Austria in a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Saturday, Penrhyn now have a weekend off before travelling to Flint the following Saturday.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Gresford Athletic 4-3-1-2): L Jenkins, C Jones, J Foligno, M Mousley (E Evans 84), S James, A Corbisiero, O James, R Murfet, S Meredith (N Blake 70), J Evans (R Garner 84), L Lewis. Sub no used: E Edwards.