Llanrug United 2-1 Nantlle Vale

Late pen takes the spoils for Llanrug against Vale.

Match Report by Jordan Thomas.

After securing three points at Barmouth on Saturday, Llanrug were confident coming in against Nantlle Vale who suffered a 6-1 thumping at Greenfield.

Both sides started the game cagey with no real quality to the football. Vale pressing the Llanrug midfield and having success with Adam Jackson and Daniel Bell doing most of the work but couldn't captalise and create chances.

Llanrug were forced into an earlier change as Llion Jones was replaced by Gavin Jones.

Llanrug gradually came into the game with wing back James Phillips combining well with Aaron Hughes and crossing for Alan Mark Owen but the Vale defence coped well with former United defender Liam Robertson matching Owen for height and physicality.

The first half had no real quality with both teams trying to unlock the defences but to no avail. 0-0 at the break.

Llanrug would've wanted to start the second period with a higher tempo but it was exactly the opposite as slack passing between central defenders Gethin Phillips and Dewi Clark resulted in Aaron Davies-Thomas stealing the ball and crossing for Chris Parry who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

After Vale took the lead, Llanrug upped the tempo and were trying to give visiting keeper Neil Perkins something to do. Alan Mark Owen was not having the service he's used to as Robertson kept the striker quiet for most of the game, Owen however did get a header in from a James Phillips cross but Perkins saved well.

Former Vale striker Aaron Hughes was replaced in the 64th minute by Jonathan Sadler.

Sadler nearly had an instant impact as a cross from David Noel Williams was not dealt with by Perkins and Sadler nearly had a tap in but great work from Vale's right back saw it cleared for a corner.

Llanrug equalised in the 72nd minute, a long throw from Gethin Phillips and substitute Luke Phillips nodded in from close range, a goal Vale manager Daniel Bell would've been disappointed in.

Both teams had chances to win, Vale sub Cai Parry found space to cross after a break but couldn't find anyone in blue in the box, Alan Mark Owen saw a header go wide after a cross from Luke Phillips.

Vale nearly took the spoils after a rasping shot from Aaron Griffiths from 25 yards out saw Dylan Roberts save well and then gather before Phil Warrington could sneak in the tap-in.

Llanrug won it with the very last kick of the game, a succession of long throw-ins from Gethin Phillips and the Vale defence finally succumbed as the defence couldn't clear and James Phillips gathered the ball but was taken down by a Vale defender and Dylan Owen cooly stroked home the penalty in the 96th minute and Llanrug took the spoils.

Daniel Bell would've be disappointed with the defeat given how well his side kept Llanrug at bay after conceding 6 at the weekend.

Mark Jat would've happy with the three points before the crunch game at Llanberis on Thursday.