AFTER returning from Guilsfield empty-handed, Penrhyncoch will be chasing their first points of the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance season when they welcome Gresford Athletic to Cae Baker on Saturday (2.30).

Manager Gari Lewis admitted defeat to the Guils was “hard to take” after a first half header from striker Steff Davies was outweighed by a second half double from Iwan Matthews on 75 and 77 minutes.

Their second 2-1 reverse, having lost the week before to Caernarfon Town by the same margin, left the Roosters third from bottom, but this weekend’s visitors prop up the table, also without a single point to their name.

Those standings, however, could change in midweek with Gresford hosting Airbus on Tuesday night, and Penrhyn without a game.

Lewis remains upbeat, though, having seen enough from his side to suggest they can push up the Cymru Alliance in the coming weeks.

Striker Steff Davies continues to impress with his physical presence, but he will miss this weekend’s encounter due to a family wedding. Sion Meredith is back to bolster the side.

“Gresford have also had a tough start, so this is a game that we need to get something from,” said Lewis.

“Unfortunately, Steff Davies is away at his sister’s wedding. He has been outstanding, and made a massive impact in his first two games, but I knew some time ago that he’d be away.

“We’ve got to make do without him, but we’ve got a strong squad and flexibility in the side this season.”

He added: “Defeat was hard to take against Guilsfield and we deserved to come away with something.

“We had a chance to make it 2-1, and possibly win it, but they went upfield and scored a fantastic team goal.

“I’m not too downhearted as there have been positives from our first two games.

“It’s early days, with 26 games to go, all cup finals for us, and we have shown that we are capable of going toe to toe with the top sides.

The Roosters brought in front runner Jonathan Evans, with Elwyn Edwards the unfortunate player to make way, which was a tough decision for Lewis after Edwards had acquitted himself well against Caernarfon the previous week.

The visitors deservedly led through Davies’ header on the half hour, but after some strong half time words from manager Nathan Leonard, the Guils looked a different side in the second half.

Penrhyn keeper Leigh Jenkins made some smart saves, and Louis Irvine was also denied after his curling shot struck the upright.

The visitors still carried a threat on the break, but the hosts were far more resolute and when Adam Jenkins came on in the 70th minute to replace injured captain Gareth Jones, more space was created in the last third.

On 75 minutes, Matthews rose powerfully to head home the equaliser from a set piece - with the visitors unhappy as two balls had been on the pitch beforehand, with the referee allowing play to continue.

Davies went close to restoring the lead when sending a diving header over the bar, but it was Guilsfield who grabbed what proved the winner moments later.

A flowing move upfield resulted in Jake Cook and the tireless Asa Hamilton combining for Matthews to volley in a brilliant finish.

Penrhyn refused to surrender, and were only denied a share of the spoils by some excellent work from keeper Andy Wycherley, on loan from Welsh Premier champions The New Saints.

PENRHYN (v Guilsfield): L Jenkins, E Evans (R Garner 80), S James, J Foligno, M Mousley, A Corbisiero, O James, R Murfet, L Lewis (N Blake 70), S Davies, J Evans. Subs not used: E Edwards, C Jones, G Lewis.

GUILSFIELD: Wycherley, Catthrall, Jenkins, Rogers, Ford, Weetman, Cook, Jones, Hamilton, Irvine, Matthews. Substitutes: Jenkins (Jones), Leonard, Bromley, Andrew.