BANGOR 1876 0

RUTHIN TOWN 2

A POTENTIAL banana skin was avoided as Ruthin Town successfully made it through to the third round of the JD Welsh Cup.

Gwynedd League Bangor 1876 were hoping to spring a surprise during Saturday's second round contest, but a goal in each half did the trick to send Chris Hardy's men into the hat for the next round.

Despite a gloomy weather forecast, more than 400 fans witnessed a keenly contested tie at Treborth.

Ahead of the traditional Remembrance Sunday tributes, a minute's silence was impeccably observed prior to kick-off before match official Mark James got proceedings underway.

Ruthin provided the first effort on goal as Wil Owen unleashed a right footed shot from range, which flew over the crossbar.

Ben Owen responded with the home side's first clear opportunity on 19 minutes but his long-range strike lacked sufficient power to unduly trouble Ryan Goldston in the Ruthin goal.

Leon Jones produced a vital save as Owen again let fly with a ferocious effort for Ruthin with 25 minutes played and the visitors drew first blood five minutes later.

Centre back Kevin Evans powered in a header off the underside of the crossbar from a set-piece delivery.

Bangor 1876 looked to respond immediately and Dylan Summers-Jones' dangerous ball across the face of the Ruthin goalmouth was beyond the onrushing Jamie Petrie and Benn Lundstram.

Ruthin looked to extend their lead prior to the interval and Leon Jones pulled off a smart save as he dived low to his right to keep out Cai Davies' free kick.

Within five minutes of the restart, Ruthin had doubled their advantage.

Prolific striker Llyr Morris beat the offside trap to bear down on goal and he clinically slotted home beyond Leon Jones for a 2-0 lead.

Slowly but surely, Bangor 1876 increased the tempo after this and they began to exert a degree of authority on the match.

A 64th minute free kick provided a potential route back into proceedings for the home side, but Benn Lundstram's effort direct on goal lacked the necessary venom to beat Goldston.

Jamie Petrie was unlucky to see a goalbound effort deflected behind for a corner kick and Sean Lock's free kick was headed agonisingly onto the roof of the Ruthin net as Bangor 1876 cranked up the pressure.

As the home side continued to push for their elusive goal, Ruthin countered and Llyr Morris turned inside his defensive markers only to see his strike saved by the impressive Leon Jones.

Bangor's last throw of the dice saw Sean Lock unleash a fierce left-footed strike from 25 yards, which Goldston did well to save with both hands on the ball.