Glantraeth will be kicking themselves for not picking up all three points from this fixture after being in control for long periods but once again they failed to turn pressure and possession into goals, although the Anglesey side can point to twice being foiled by the woodwork.
At least they broke a sequence of five successive defeats and the manner of the performance suggests that better times may well lie ahead although the real test comes next Friday when they travel to face league leaders Holyhead Hotspur.
Playing up the Cae Nant slope Glan began in determined fashion, coming close to scoring three times during the opening five minutes. Kevin Roberts had a powerful effort smash into a defender then hit another shot wide and Corey Sinnott went round keeper Arwel Hughes only for Rhys Jones to clear off the line.
It was all Glantraeth at this stage with a David Alan Jones’ shot skidding wide on 13 minutes after the chance had been created by the industrious Chris Evans. It took a fine save from Hughes to prevent the visitors taking a much deserved lead on 18 minutes as a perfectly directed long ball from skipper Gareth Owen gave Gerallt Jones possession ten yards out. Jones beat his marker easily and blasted the ball goalwards only for Hughes to spread himself and deflect the ball wide.
Gerallt Jones was almost on the end of a deep cross from Darren Jones two minutes later and Dyrnog just managed to scramble away a Chris Evans as their goal continued to come under pressure.
A two minute cameo on 34 minutes typified Glan’s recent luck as Paul Rowlands, playng at right back, surged forward from deep with a brilliant run only to see his shot scooped on to a post by keeper Arwel Hughes. Play quickly swung up the other end as the home side threatened for the first time leaving Ian Dunn with a clear run on goal only for debutant keeper Marc Newbould to pull off a tremendous rescuing save only for the ball to eventually run free to Elfyn Roberts who managed to scramble the loose ball into the net.
It was cruel luck on Glan but this was no time for self-pity. Urged on from the dug-out they were soon back in attacking action and returned some credibility to the scoreline on 40 minutes as a right wing corner kick from Chris Evans was headed back across goal by Gerallt Jones and Gafyn Lloyd Jones was on hand to fairly blast the ball into the roof of the net.
The game was now more evenly poised with Dyrnog looking more of a threat as Ian Dunn fired narrowly wide on 40 minutes but once again Glan’s luck was out on the stroke of half-time as Kevin Roberts controlled a Chris Evans’ cross brilliantly before swivelling and connecting with a powerful volley that brought a flying save from Hughes who managed to push the ball on to the crossbar and over, the referee awarding a goal kick for his troubles!
Five minutes into the second half Dyrnog’s Endaf Jones hit a dipping free kick that was only inches over. Although not as one-sided as the first half Glan continued to threaten with another Chris Evans corner kick causing problems as Gareth Owen headed on for Emyr Rowlands but his effort was straight at the keeper and as the ball bobbed around the home club’s goal area Gareth Owen had another try that found the keeper. On 55 minutes there was a tremendous scramble around the Dyrnog goal before the ball was eventually cleared and certainly Glan could not be faulted for effort although there was a strong feeling that with all this pressure they should have been clearly in the lead.
The game was now delicately poised and a free kick from Rhys Jones was headed just wide by Danny Roberts on 69 minutes to remind Glan that even one point was not guaranteed.
One of the best moves of the game saw Chris Saxon, Kevin Roberts and Darren Jones link up to provide a shooting opportunity for Chris Evans but his shot curled wide in the strong wind. Then Kevin Roberts headed wide and a Gerallt Jones shot was comfortably collected by the home keeper.
There was still the chance that Llandyrnog could pinch all three points and a good pull back by Elfyn Roberts ten minutes from time gave substitute Danny Jones a sight of goal but he shot well over.
The last action of a frustrating game saw Corey Sinnott and Kevin Roberts threatening as Glan continued to look for that elusive first win of the season.
Glantraeth: Marc Newbould, Paul Rowlands, Darren Jones, Gafyn Lloyd Jones (Tomos Wyn Roberts 80), Gareth Owen, Emyr Rowlands, Corey Sinnott (Adam Jones 85), Gerallt Jones, David Alan Jones (Chris Saxon 70), Kevin Roberts, Chris Evans.