Llanrhaeadr 0

Gresford Athletic 6

LLANRHAEADR paid the price for a first-half horror show as Gresford Athletic strolled to victory at Llansantffraid on Friday night.

Despite a bright start with Khyam Wytton firing just over the home side were soon on the back foot with the Colliers leading through Sam Molyneux on 12 minutes.

Marc Griffiths headed wide for Llanrhaeadr before a five minute collapse saw the hosts left with a mountain to climb.

First Molyneux completed his brace before pressure on the home defence led to Tom Bailey putting through his own net on 20 minutes.

Llanrhaeadr rallied with player-manager Griffiths heading over while Iwan Matthews’ effort was blocked.

Former Newtown player Joe Newton added his name to the scoresheet on 32 minutes before Owen Roberts added a fifth just before the break.

Roberts completed his brace just after the interval with Gresford treating the rest of the contest as a training match with the damage done.

Jimmy Hayns kept Gresford at bay with a handful of saves around the hour.

Llanrhaeadr could have reduced the arrears with a consolation goal on 73 minutes only for Matthews to balloon his penalty effort wide of target as the villagers were brought crashing back to earth with a bump following their midweek derby win at Penrhyncoch.

Manager Griffiths said: “We were as as bad as we have been since I’ve been at the club.

“Gresford didn’t even have to work it, we made it easy.

“We can’t afford to not turn up for any game in this league. It has happened twice this month and have got what we deserved on both occasions.

“We have a week to regroup now so we will asses the issues and come back stronger.”

LLANRHAEADR: Hayns, Aitken, Bailey, G Evans, D Evans, Wytton, K Evans, Weaver, T Evans, Griffiths, Mathews. Subs: Graham Lloyd, Kelly, Edmunds.