Saturday’s six goal thriller at Maes Dulyn saw late drama as Llanuwchllyn’s Gwydion Ifan salvaged a crucial point for Riki Rowlands’ side in the 94th minute.
A tale of two halves saw both outfits take full advantage of the strong crosswind that blew across Maes Dulyn with the hosts having the wind in their favour during the first period.
Vale began well with Guto Gwenallt’s low strike from the edge of the box being turned around the post by Rob Dascalu in the opening minutes.
With six minutes on the clock, Nantlle took the lead when a corner fired in towards near post was flicked in from close range by the lively Gwenallt to make it 1-0.
Llanuwchllyn were being put through their paces as the home side were successfully breaking down the wings and causing problems for the Llan backline.
A header from David Yates narrowly flew inches past the upright after a Vale freekick was inititally pushed onto the crossbar by Dascalu in the Uwchllyn net.
Harri Hughes was next to test Dascalu as he forced a save from his 20 yard effort midway through the half.
The visitors made their first opportunity of the match in the 34th minute when Joe Williams’ strike was struck well wide of the target before a freekick on Gwydion Ifan was driven over the crossbar a minute later.
Llanuwchllyn’s afternoon was worsened when Kyle Jones was sent off for an altercation in the centre of the park in the 39th minute.
Vale almost punished the 10 man side when play restarted as Telor Williams’ delivery on the left was placed wide by Jamie Thomas in a chance that should’ve made the game 2-0.
Cai Morgan’s cross was met by a spectacular overhead kick by Hughes which almost found the back of the net but Ceri James was able to hack the ball clear.
Just before halftime Vale added their second after an excellent passage of play. A corner was played in and cleared into the path of the influencial Hughes who superbly rocketed a full volley into the top left hand corner from 18 yards out – certainly a goal of the season contender for Vale.
Visitors Llanuwchllyn had a mountain to climb in the second period but to their credit, it was an improved performance in the second half which began well as they halved the defecit in the 51st minute. Awarded a penalty after a foul in the box, Joe Williams stepped in and cooly slotted into the bottom left hand corner to make it 2-1.
Ilan Hughes blazed over a freekick from 20 yards for the visitors as Llan began to build some momentum but were still finding it difficult to break down the Vale backline.
Down the other end, Hughes saw his shot brilliantly blocked low by Dascalu in the 66th minute.
Vale made it three with twenty minutes left to play as Hughes broke free and went one on one with Dascalu, his first strike was blocked but the young striker struck home the second attempt from 12 yards.
Things were far from finished with Llanuwchllyn playing their lead line with three strikers as they looked to hit back. Nine minutes from time, a corner was swung in deep which John Evans connected with to head home strongly from 6 yards into the roof of the net to make the score 3-2.
Late pressure was being applied by the visitors and they almost equalised in the 90th minutes when Joe Evans met Williams’ delivery but Vale somehow cleared the danger off the line.
Drama followed in the 94th minute when Llanuwchllyn levelled in impressive fashion when Gwydion Ifan’s looping lob was flicked over Oliver Jones from 15 yards into an empty net salvaging a crucial point for the visitors and causing heartbreak for the hosts. To add insult to injury, Vale’s Robert Daniels was also sent off after the equaliser.
Plenty of action in a thrilling draw in the Ardal North West in a match that was no doubt hampered by the windy conditions.
Nantlle Vale: 1. Oliver Jones, 2. Aled Williams (8. Sion Williams 43′), 4. Mathew Davies, 5. Sion Pollard, 7. Cai Morgan, 10. Telor Williams, 12. David Yates, 15. Jamie Thomas, 16. Guto Gwenallt (14. Philip Warrington 58′), 20. Harri Hughes (6. Sion Jones 83′), 22. Robert Daniels.
Subs not used: 9. Jamie Jones, 26. Llion Griffiths.
Yellow: 16. Guto Gwenallt, 15. Jamie Thomas, 22. Robert Daniels, 1. Oliver Jones
Red: 22. Robert Daniels 90+5′.
Goals: Guto Gwenallt 6′, Harri Hughes 45+2′ & 75′.
Llanuwchllyn: 1. Rob Dascalu, 2. Owain Ap Gareth, 3. Eilir Edwards (14. Jack Evans 25′), 4. Ceri James (15. Paul Jones 60′), 5. John Evans, 6. Ilan Hughes, 7. Gwydion Ifan, 8. Kyle Jones, 9. Garmon Hafal, 10. Joe Williams, 11. Tom Jones (12. Joe Evans 45′)
Subs not used: 16. Ioan Davies, 17. Iwan Roberts
Yellow: Eilir Edwards, Ilan Hughes, Ceri James
Red: Kyle Jones 39′.
Goals: Joe Williams 54′, John Evans 85′, Gwydion Ifan 90+4′.
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