Welsh Alliance
Llandudno Junction 2 Conwy 2
LLANDUDNO Junction and Conwy played out a fiercely contested draw in their anticipated derby match.
Junction started very brightly and within minutes had a very good shout for a penalty when Mike Lundstrum was upended in the Conwy box, but the referee waved play on.
Conwy responded and came into the game with Matt Cassidy and Matt Bennett causing the Junction defence problems, and both were involved when good combination play led to Oliver Walters flashing a shot that Junction keeper Liam Ewing tipped over the bar.
On twenty minutes a cross from Dwyfor Williams was met by the head of Darrel Jones but he could not keep his effort on target when well placed.
The move of the game saw Dwyfor Williams on the left switching the ball to Jake Cassidy and with the outside of his right foot found Paul Cassidy who raced forward and powered his shot past the Conwy keeper to give Junction the lead.
After half time and on a pitch that had now become a mud bath, Conwy forced Junction back and created the half's first real chance when Oliver Walters powered a far post header inches wide after good work from Ricky Jones.
The same players combined moments later and former Junction player Ricky Jones out pace the junction defence and smashed home the equalizer.
Three minutes later, and with their tales up, Conwy took the lead when a ball from Ricky Jones found Matthew Bennett unmarked at the back post and he calmly finished past Ewing in goal.
After a tactical reshuffle with Mercer coming on for Spencer, Junction pushed for the equalizer and both Jake Cassidy and Mercer had chances to score.
With the game being played at full pace it was Junction who through great play by Dan Williams, found
Dan Mercer on the edge of the box, who turned and found the top corner with a sublime Finnish to make it 2-2.
With the pitch in a real state and both teams giving the ball away, the last ten minutes saw both teams create very good chances to win the game, but that was the end of the scoring.
Junction manager Shane Cartwright said: "A draw was a fair result for both teams, with the pitch playing the biggest part, the collective
effort from both teams was fantastic, although we never got three valuable points supporters were treated to a game full of chances in
horrendous weather and no one deserved to be on the losing side.
"Conwy are the best team we've played this season and I'm pleased we've got the four points off them from the two matches, they are a difficult side to play against and I've got nothing but praise for Barry Jones' side".
On the transfer front Junction have signed Luke O'Mahoney who has had spells at Llandudno Town and Colwyn Bay recently to add to their squad.