Following last week's 1-0 loss against Prestatyn Town, Gresford Athletic looked to have a more positive afternoon at Nantporth Stadium and it was exactly that.

The game started with Gresford Athletic having some good chances, with Charlie Mann's eighth-minute throw-in resulting in a header on goal from Adam Hesp, but it was saved by Carl Jones in the Bangor 1876 goal.

Mike Jones was then called into action in the 11th minute, with him pulling off a fantastic double save to ensure that Bangor 1876 did not find an early breakthrough.

Toby Gallagher-Keenan, on his second debut for Gresford Athletic, played a brilliant ball through to Dominic Deacon in the 15th minute, with the striker taking it around the Bangor 1876's Carl Jones and facing an open goal, but referee Iolo Hughes pulled it back for a free-kick.

In the 18th minute, Gresford Athletic were awarded a penalty after former Colliers defender Joe Culshaw pulled Haci Ozlu down in the box, but unfortunately, Dominic Deacon's penalty was well saved by Bangor 1876 goalkeeper Carl Jones.

Haci Ozlu dazzled on his debut for the club and in the 24th minute, he had a shot, but it was wide of the post. Paul Johnson was then the next player to have an effort on goal, with his 35th-minute strike from the edge of the box firing over the crossbar.

The scoreline remained 0-0 at half time, but going into the second half, it was not long before Gresford Athletic broke the deadlock, with Charley Edge scoring his first competitive goal for the club with a shot from 12 yards in the 50th minute.

Haci Ozlu, Charley Edge and substitue Sam Spridgeon put in some briliant work in attacking areas, with the latter looking to double the lead through a header in the 60th minute, but it was comfortably saved.

Nathan Williams then played a great ball down the left in the 66th minute, with Sam Spridgeon forcing yet another save from Bangor 1876's Carl Jones.

Sam Spridgeon was finally rewarded with a goal in the 73rd minute, slotting it home after a nice one-two with Haci Ozlu to make it 2-0.

Mike Jones then pulled off another great save in the 76th minute to keep hold of the clean sheet for Gresford Athletic.

In the 80th minute, Haci Ozlu was provider-turned-goalscorer when he scored a debut goal for Gresford Athletic with a calm finish to add to the scoreline.

The final score was 3-0 to Gresford Athletic, who progressed into the third round of the 2023/24 Nathaniel MG Cup in fantastic fashion.

Following a Twitter vote, Charley Edge was named Gresford Athletic Man of the Match with a great performance in midfield and topping it off with the opening goal.

Bangor 1876

Starting XI: Jones (GK), Cox, Culshaw, Jones, Hughes, Clarke, Petrie (C), Whelan (Barry - 64'), Galeotti (Jones - 46'). McGonigle, Thomas (Morris - 64')

Subs not used: Heald (GK), Owen

Yellow cards: Barry

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Jones (GK), J. Smith (Killilea - 79'), Hesp, Willams (C), S. Smith (Roberts - 79'), Johnson, Edge, Mann (Spridgeon - 54'), Ozlu, Deacon (Ellis - 54'), Gallagher-Keenan (Buxton - 67')

Goalscorers: Edge, Spridgeon, Ozlu

Yellow cards: Edge

Match Officials

Referee: Iolo Williams

Assistant Referees: Ryan Hughes, Gavin Maloney

Referee Observer: John Baston