27-07-2025
Brickfield and Mold Alex have to be satisfied with a point
It was the battle of last season two Ardal League champions as Gareth Wilson's side headed to the coast to tackle Rhyl 1879.
It finished 0-0 and Rhyl boss Paul Moore told the club's X site: 'Unusual for us to have a nil-nil. I think there's only two games that we've played in that we've not scored.
'It says a lot about us, really, in that game, because I just felt that they sat in and their purpose was to try and grind something out, and hopefully get an opportunity and sit back in.
'All credit to them. I said that to the guys before, you know. It just works for them more than it did for us and we were too slow in our build-up and when we got the opportunity to get in the final third, we weren't sharp enough to set it and offload it.'
It was also honours even as Mold Alex opened their league campaign with a 2-2 outcome at home to Penrhyncoch.
There was an all-action start, with two goals arriving in the opening 10 minutes. Cynan Edwards set up Morgan Roberts for Mold's opener in the fourth minute, but this was cancelled out three minutes later by Daniel Owen.
Edwards regained the lead for the hosts seven minutes into the second half, only for Penrhyncoch to salvage a point via Owain James' late response.
Mold boss Barry Owen told the club's X site: 'Literally, it's one of them. Performance-wise, I think really positive.
'I thought we kept the ball, we moved the ball. There's a few players making their debut today I was really impressed with.
'They've got two chances and scored two. After that, they asked questions late on.
'So, overall disappointing to have dropped points, but the performance wasn't too bad.'
Gresford Athletic started their league campaign with a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Guilsfield.
Ahead of kick-off, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Wrexham legend Joey Jones, who passed away last week.
A minute after Iwan Roberts put a fifth minute effort wide for Athletic, the visitors had the lead through Dan Tilsley's looped attempt.
Sam Flory then got on the end of a corner to slam home Guilsfield's second in the 27th minute.
Roberts had an effort saved as Gresford sought a route back into the encounter, but they did manage to halve their deficit in the 41st minute.
Iwan Roberts forced the ball into the box and Jake Roberts was there to tap in his second goal in two competitive games for the club.
However, right on the strong of half-time, Iwan Matthews grabbed the visitors' third goal of the afternoon.
Athletic forged opportunities in the second half and they were awarded a penalty with 13 minutes left to play following handball.
Haci Ozlu's shot from the spot hit both posts and the ball didn't go in.
James Smith and Jake Roberts went close as Gresford continued to press, while Flory struck the woodwork at the other end.
