RUTHIN TOWN 2

GRESFORD ATHLETIC 0

A GOAL in each half did the trick to make it a victorious weekend of Huws Gray Alliance action for Ruthin Town.

It was a mid-table encounter at Memorial Park Fields as Chris Williams' charges welcomed Gresford Athletic.

In the end, it turned out to be a closely contested match, with Ruthin eventually claiming their fifth victory of the campaign.

If anything, it was Gresford who started the better of the two teams.

Things began to change on 21 minutes when Gresford defender Josh Griffiths misplaced a pass.

Gwion Owen intercepted the ball and he had a clear run on goal.

Before the onrushing Ben Jones in the Gresford goal could do anything about it, Owen finished with aplomb for a well taken goal to give Town the lead.

It is often said that goals change games and it certainly did in this case.

Ruthin’s confidence grew as they looked more comfortable, with the passing and movement better from the hosts.

Gresford didn't lie down as they looked to compete and they had their moments in the Ruthin penalty area.

However, clearcut chances turned out to be scarce for both sides.

A couple of injuries forced Ruthin boss Chris Williams into changes.

Tom Mann made his first team debut as he replaced Wil Owen, who suffered from an ankle injury.

Later in the half, Osian Davies also had to come off with an injury.

Gwidion Owen came on at right back, while Mathew Evans went to left back and Craig Wilkinson replaced Osian Davies in the heart of the midfield.

Everyone adapted well to the changes and Ruthin went in at half-time 1-0 up.

It was nip and tuck in the second half as both sides probed and tested the other.

Both had their spells, but again clearcut chances were at a premium.

Ruthin did look comfortable with their lead and as the half wore on, Gresford desperately tried to get more into the game.

Tom Williams was replaced by Tom Dyer to bolster the back line as the finishing line approached.

Ruthin had chances to extend their lead during the latter stages of the match, with Ryan Jones unlucky not to hit the target after some good work in the box.

Gwidion Ifan put in some decent crosses from the right, but Ruthin players were just unable to connect with these deliveries.

With injury time approaching and the Ruthin faithful calling on the referee to blow his whistle, Gwion Owen took on his man on the left hand side.

He got to the byline and crossed for debutant Tom Mann to run in and blast the ball into the net from two yards to secure the points for Ruthin.

After the match, Ruthin manager Williams said: “We didn’t play as well as we can, but the pleasing thing is that it’s the first time in a while that we have won against a team in and around us whilst not being at our best.”