Huws Gray Alliance
Guilsfield 3 Ruthin Town 0
GUILSFIELD made light work of a poor Ruthin Town side to maintain their climb away from the basement.
However time may well be up for Ruthin after almost 20 years in the Alliance, with Adie Jones’ side clearly facing a season of struggle.
Both sides took time to settle and surprisingly it was Ruthin who came close to breaking the deadlock, only for Tommy Mutton’s goalbound shot to be cleared off the line by Jonathan Jones.
Guilsfield had been full of running and effort throughout the first-half but struggled to create any clear openings.
Too often the villagers contrived to complicate matters in midfield, rather than exploit the gaps which a creaking Ruthin defence continued to leave open.
However the Guils managed to get their noses in front just before half-time, with Will Thomas breaking inside from the left before squaring for Danny Barton, who intelligently laid the ball back for Ian Probert to net the opener.
Thomas could have added to the tally before the half was out, only to be denied by Ruthin Town goalkeeper Jamie Price.
However the half ended controversially with Aberaeron referee Alan Jones booking Rob Cookson for time wasting, while failing to punish Marc Entwistle after the Ruthin Town midfielder blatantly tripped Thomas, who was breaking down the wing.
Kevin Garland fired over in a rare Ruthin Town opening after the break, before Barton opened his account with a tap in after Price had parried his initial swivelled shot.
The goal gave Guilsfield the confidence to totally dominate, with Thomas denied by Price before Josh Evans blazed over from long range.
Former Newtown defender Danny Jellicoe also denied Mark Davies with a goalmouth block, before the Guils settled the outcome on 72 minutes.
Substitute Gareth Jones’ low drive was spilled by the overworked Price, with Thomas following up for a deserved goal to complete the win.
GUILSFIELD: Littleford, Buckley-Robins, Leonard, J Jones, J Evans, Baldwin, M Davies, Cookson, Thomas, Probert, Barton. Subs: G Jones, Roberts, Heenan
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