Penmaenmawr Phoenix triumphed in a crucial relegation six‑pointer to return to winning ways, producing a strong second‑half display in difficult, windy conditions.
Photo: Thomas Barrett
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First half
In the 13th minute the Phoenix defence failed to clear a loose ball, but Cameron Darling produced a fabulous fingertip save to push it over the bar and keep the scores level. That moment proved to be the only real threat from the visitors in a scrappy first half shaped by the strong wind.
Pen created chances of their own. Leon Atkins glanced a header just wide before finding himself one‑on‑one, only for the chance to be snuffed out as he tried to square it. Neither side dominated, but Phoenix remained composed and patient in possession.
The first half roared into action right at the end. Ryan Vaughan was adjudged to have handled in the box and Connah’s Quay were awarded a penalty in the final minute of normal time. Ryan Hewitt stepped up but blazed the spot‑kick over the bar, and the game stayed level.
It was not level for long. Phoenix went straight up the other end and won a corner in added time. Toby Jones delivered yet another dead‑ball masterclass and Anthony Marshall powered home a bullet header to give the Penmen a deserved 1–0 lead at the break. There was almost a second on the stroke of half‑time, but Leon Atkins narrowly missed a huge opportunity.
Second half
Phoenix came out determined to secure the three points. With the wind in their favour, the pressure increased. On 56 minutes Toby Jones looped an inswinging corner towards the back post that struck the post and went agonisingly wide — a sign of what was to come.
Five minutes later Harley Crossfield saw a shot blocked, and from the resulting corner Toby Jones again delivered to the back post. After a scramble in the area, Dan Evans reacted quickest to slot home and double the advantage, easing the nerves around the ground.
Just minutes after that, Cameron Darling sent a superb ball over the top. The Connah’s Quay goalkeeper came to claim it, but Harley Crossfield got there first and calmly finished into the corner to make it 3–0.
The visitors pulled one back in the 78th minute when Pascal Gomez beat Liam Griffiths and squared for Harry Brown to finish. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly shut down. Dan Evans had a shot blocked, Sion Williams blazed a great chance over, and then a defensive error was punished as Dan Evans struck again to make it 4–1 and seal the points.
The bigger picture
In truth it was a comfortable victory in a game Phoenix needed to win. The Penmen now trail Connah’s Quay by just a single point and have five games in hand. There is still work to be done, but this result feels like a huge step toward securing safety in the division.
