Llandudno 1-0 Gresford Athletic: Seasiders edge out Colliers after late Cavanagh penalty
Shaun Cavanagh’s penalty nine minutes from time secured all three points for Llandudno against Gresford Athletic in the JD Cymru North.
The Seasiders, who were in the ascendency for large periods of the game, were awarded a spot-kick when Marc Williams was brought down inside the area, and Cavanagh made no mistake from 12 yards.
Sean Eardley’s men have made an encouraging start to the season, and this result made it three consecutive home wins in the league.
Gresford, meanwhile, occupy 11th place in the standings with two wins from their first seven matches.
The hosts started the game brightly and were on the front foot in the early stages. Cavanagh played in Gareth Evans whose pass found Lee Thomas, his shot was scuffed before Cavanagh skied the second effort.
Cavanagh and Evans linked up well again a few minutes later when the former forced a save out of Robbie Williams in the Gresford net.
The goalkeeper was called into action again not long after. Marc Williams played Evans through, and his low drive was well gathered by Robbie Williams.
Gresford’s first opportunity came just after the 10-minute mark when a break led to a shot at goal for the away side, which Shaun Pearson saved well.
A mix up at the back for Llandudno nearly led to an opening for Gresford when James Smith mis-kicked his pass back to the goalkeeper. Colliers forward Matt Worrall was unable to capitalise and Llandudno cleared.
Pearson was called into action on the half-hour mark when Daniel Holland was forced to take a pot shot from 25 yards out. It was a comfortable save for the keeper.
Early in the second-half, Cavanagh rounded Robbie Williams after being played in by Marc Williams. He crossed into the box but the Gresford defence managed to clear and prevent a tap in.
The best chance of the second period fell to Cavanagh who, after being picked out well by Morgan Owen, darted into the penalty area and saw his effort go wide of the mark from a few yards out.
After piling on the pressure, the deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute when Marc Williams was felled inside the penalty area. Referee Mark Petch pointed to the spot and Cavanagh sent Robbie Williams the wrong way to give the Seasiders a deserved lead.
Eardley’s side managed the closing period of the game effectively and held on for a well-earned three points.
Llandudno: Shaun Pearson, Morgan Owen, John Bennett, James Smith, Guto Williams, Gareth Evans, Danny Hughes (C), Shaun Cavanagh (Jack Robinson 90+3), Max Moore (Danny Brookwell 62′), Marc Williams, Lee Thomas (Dean Seager 61′).
Substitutes not used: Aron Hughes-Jones, Sion Williams
Goal: Cavanagh 81′
Yellow cards: Hughes 85′
Gresford Athletic: Robbie Williams, Simon Smith, Kieran Evans, Adam Hesp, Nathan Williams, Joshua Griffiths (C), Alex Buxton, Daniel Holland, Joe Chaplin, Matthew Worrall (Jordan MacCarter 68′), Aaron Hassall.
Substitutes: Harvey Ellis, Billy Nicholas, Michael Pritchard
Yellow cards: N.Williams 65′, MacCarter 86′, M.Pritchard 90′, K.Evans 90′
Attendance: 306
