MYNYDD LLANDEGAI 4

LLANDYRNOG UNITED 3

DISAPPOINTED Llandyrnog United were left to rue a terrible second half defensive display at Mynydd Llandegai.

This saw them throw away what looked to be a comfortable three points for the majority of the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance League Division One game.

There were no signs of the defensive difficulties to come as the visitors cruised into a 2-0 half-time lead, with debutant goalkeeper Joe Clayton a virtual spectator.

Josh Griffiths nearly opened the scoring when his effort came back out off the post.

It was Dion Jones who grabbed the opening goal, profiting from a mistake by the home goalkeeper to roll the ball into an empty net.

Sixteen-year-old Joel Rowlands was again impressing in midfield and it was he who got the second goal.

Rowlands burst through Llandegai’s backline before firing home confidently.

Jones was unable to reappear after the interval and before United were able to adapt to the midfield reshuffle, Jamie Whitmore had reduced the deficit with a stunning lob from 40 yards.

Injuries to Griffiths and Les Brophy soon after meant that Llandyrnog manager Ryan Harden had to shuffle the pack further.

However, United did regain their two-goal advantage briefly when Scott Leonard fired home from Harden’s through ball to make it 3-1.

The lead didn’t last long, though, as Whitmore completed a quickfire hat-trick with another two brilliant strikes.

Both strikes found the top corner of the net, leaving Clayton helpless.

United’s dismal second half was completed soon after when Andy Barker headed home a right wing cross to complete the comeback.

Despite late pressure, the away side were unable to find an equaliser, leaving Harden a frustrated figure.

He said: "I’m angry and disappointed because it was a game we should have won comfortably, but we let ourselves down badly for a period in the second half, so we can have no complaints about the result."