Gresford Athletic settle for a point on the opening day of the 2024/25 JD Cymru North against local rivals Llay Miners Welfare, thanks to a last-minute free-kick.

The first half was a tight affair, with both Gresford Athletic and Llay Miners Welfare battling well throughout.

It was in the 27th minute that the first real chance for The Colliers occurred, with Dominic Deacon firing the ball into the box and almost caused a Llay Miners Welfare defender to put the ball into his own net, but former Gresford Athletic goalkeeper Mike Jones made a crucial save.

Haci Ozlu did well in the 32nd minute, dribbling brilliantly with the ball and finding Charlie Mann on the edge of the area, who blasted it towards goal, but it went over the crossbar.

Gresford Athletic continued to grow into the game, as Captain Joshua Griffiths picked up the ball in the box, controlled it well and had an effort on goal in the 36th minute, but it was blocked well by one of The Welly's defenders.

The half time whistle sounded and both teams could not really argue with the scoreline too much after a competitive half, but The Colliers definitely grew into the half as it went on.

The second half began in a tough moment for Gresford Athletic, with Llay Miners Welfare flying out of the traps and have a clear-cut chance on goal in the 49th minute, but it was skied over the crossbar following a corner.

In the 51st minute, debutant goalkeeper Nik Bulmer was forced into making a great save to keep the score level as The Welly continued to fly forward.

Llay Miners Welfare's dominance was worthwhile, as in the 78th minute, substitute Samuel Lestrange forced the ball into the back of the net after a mix-up at the back, putting The Colliers a goal behind with not long left on the clock.

It looked like all hope was lost for Gresford Athletic to find anything from this game, but in the eighth minute of added time, with literally the last kick of the game, Vice-Captain Charley Edge stood over a free-kick on the edge of the box before blasting it into the top left corner of the net to clutch a point.

Gresford Athletic will be dissappointed with their overall performance, but can breathe a sigh of relief that they did not start their 2024/25 JD Cymru North campaign in defeat against their local rivals.

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Bulmer (GK), A. Smith (J. Smith - 54'), Johnson (Hesp - 54'), Orton (Ormrod - 59'), Nelson, Griffiths (C), Edge, Ozlu, Gallagher-Keenan (S. Smith - 54'), Mann (Buxton - 80'), Deacon

Goalscorers: Edge

Yellow cards: A. Smith, Ormrod, Buxton

Subs not used: Hill-Dunt (GK), Buley

Llay Miners Welfare

Starting XI: Jones (GK), Thompson (Bryan - 67'), Payne, Peate (C), Thomas-Sadler, Daley (Ogundeji - 90+5'), Lima (Simpson - 67'), MacIntyre, Collo (Griffin - 76'), Swords, Kamilo (Lestrange - 67')

Goalscorers: Lestrange

Yellow cards: Thompson

Subs not used: Dutton (GK), Hibbert

Match Officials

Referee: Mark Petch

Assistant Referees: Harvey Smallman, Martin Trigg