Penrhyndeudraeth 1-2 Bodedern: Bodedern win edges them closer to promotion
Bodedern Athletic made a huge step towards winning the North Wales Coast West Premier Division as they beat Penrhyndeudraeth 2-1.
Two of the top three sides in the division met on Saturday afternoon as Penrhyndeudraeth welcomed league leaders Bodedern Athletic to Maes y Parc.
With nearest rivals Bangor 1876 winning 7-2 against Nefyn a win was vital to the visitors in their hunt for promotion into the Ardal Leagues next season.
The hosts began well in a fiercely competitive fixture with Asa Thomas forcing a strong save out of Robert Watson in the opening minutes. Watson was called into action again on seven minutes when he blocked out Casey Gregg’s effort from three yards following a Bodedern throw-in.
Penrhyn much to their credit were holding their own against a very attacking Athletic outfit which were seeking success down the channels to Thomas and Marc Evans.
After a good passage of play, Tomos Smith fired wide for the hosts from ten yards before Smith found Aaron Griffiths minutes later unmarked on the left-hand side but the final ball lacked pace and was cleared with ease.
Down the other end, an air kick of a clearance by Liam Watson allowed Thomas to pounce on the loose ball but excellent defending by Richard Jones and Ifan Jones cleared the danger for Penrhyn.
Chances continued to come for the home side with Smith getting on the end of cracking through ball but fired straight into the arms of Carl Jones before a series of corners saw three opportunities all going begging.
The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute when the ball arrived to an unmarked Evans from Joseph Caven’s low delivery to fire the visitors into the lead.
It should’ve been 2-0 three minutes later as Thomas headed over a clear cut chance from six yards after another ball in from the left.
Ifan Jones picked out Smith following some tidy football in midfield but the forward scuffed his effort wide of the far post for Penrhyndeudraeth before the break.
Much like the first half, it was all to play for with the game seeing plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.
Marc Evans almost doubled his tally two minutes into the half when his 25 yard half volley flew centimetres wide of the upright.
However on 53 minutes, Deudraeth got their deserved equaliser as a powerful header at the backpost from Richard Jones drew play back to 1-1.
Watson made another excellent stop to deny Evans’ freekick from 25 yards prior to Caven’s floating cross from the left turning into a shot and rattling the right post.
Bodedern’s lead was restored in the 74th minute as Watson’s full length save to deny a header was instantly followed up and smashed in by Evans to net his second of the afternoon.
Late pressure was mounting by the hosts who were making things difficult for Bodedern. A freekick was almost turned into the net after Jones missed a header resulting in four blocks in the six yard box by the Boded backline to keep the ball out of the net.
In added time, Penrhyn were denied once again when a freekick was not dealt with for a powerful header to be directed just wide of the post from eight yards bringing the game to a close.
A crucial three points for Bodedern who move a step closer to clinching the league title and promotion to Tier 3.
