MENAI Bridge Tigers tightened their grip on the Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd League’s top spot by winning a crunch clash at Glantraeth 4-3, and the stand-out feature was a hat-trick of penalties by Dean Redmond.

At the Bodorgan ground of their third-placed rivals, the undefeated Tigers developed a 3-1 lead by half-time, and it was all down to Redmond, who was spot-on after six, 13 and 27 minutes.

Remarkably, all three penalties came about because of fouls by home players on Bridge’s Sion Hogan - and Redmond took full advantage to fire from the spot past keeper Rhys Roberts.

Redmond, who had previously got among the goals regularly for neighbours Beaumaris Town, is now on 18 goals for the season in just 12 league and cup matches.

Glantraeth had hit back through Andy Clarke after 16 minutes and then team-mate Iwan Kirkham trimmed the arrears to 2-3 a minute into the second spell.

Menai Bridge quickly collected goal number four from Darren Parry on 51 minutes, before Glantraeth closed up again through Bryn Roberts on 70 minutes, but the confident away side proceeded to clinch their ninth win in 10 outings.

Gwalchmai, who are lying in second position in the rankings, continued to be four points adrift even though they impressed as 4-1 winners over visitors Mynydd Tigers, after having edged a 2-1 lead at the break.

The Maes Meurig team’s marksmen were stalwart defender and rare scorer Paul Rowlands on nine minutes, Gwion Thomas on 45 and 75 and Darren Roberts on 90, with the visitors’ Adrian Roberts replying on 43.

• In the Guy Walmsley Ltd Welsh National (Wrexham Area) Premier Division Llanuwchllyn made the most of Lex XI’s dismal run of form to beat the visitors 3-0, courtesy of goals from Iolo Jones, who scored a brace, and Delwyn Jones.

Results: Brickfield Rangers 0 Corwen 2; FC Nomads 2 Penycae 0; Hawarden Rangers 1 Cefn Albion 4; Llanuwchllyn 3 Lex XI 0; Llay Welfare 1 Brymbo 2; Mold Alexandra 0 Queens Park 1; Rhostyllen 3 Rhos Aelwyd 1; Saltney 1 Chirk AAA 1.