As we approach the final third of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern Leagues it’s time to take stock of what has been one of the closest seasons in recent memory.

Both the East and West have nail-biting battles from top to bottom and here we take a look at where we’re at going into the final stretch. Here we take a look at the East.

Sitting Pretty

It’s all to play for at both ends of the table and you’d have to be very brave to make any concrete guesses on which way things will go in the East. Bow Street sit top of the table two points clear of surprise package Dolgellau who have two games in hand over the Aberystwyth-based side. 

After an incredible start to the campaign, Bow Street have stuttered over Christmas and are without a win in their last three games. Meanwhile, Dolgellau are unbeaten since the beginning of October with their last game coming against the top side, ending in a 3-3 thriller. It looked set for Dolgellau to pick up three points before a 98th-minute leveller from the Magpies’ Callum Page to end 2024.

Dolgellau face Bow Street in the Ardal North East – Image Rod Davies / Dolgellau AAFC.

Chasing Pack

Hot on the leaders’ heels are Builth Wells, Brickfield Rangers and Kerry. Builth sit four points behind top spot having lost just once in their last eight games, but will need to persevere following the departure of 17-goal marksman Tommy Rowlands, who also had 13 assists to his name in the 18 games played this term. 

Builth’s recent defeat came at Brickfield who with three games in hand over Bow Street and a game in hand over Dolegallu could reach top spot should they begin another winning streak.

League new-boys Kerry have played more games than anyone in the top six but will be delighted with their start to life in the third tier. 

Games played will be key at this point and despite sitting 8th and ten points off the top, Llanuwchllyn could well be in control of the league having played a whopping seven fewer games than those at the summit. Their brilliant run in the Welsh Cup among other competitions means they’re still in charge of their fate in the league.

Consolidation

When it comes to mid-table it’s now or never for a few who’ll need to hit the right form to have any hope of a finish in the top two. Cefn Albion have games in hand but the same luxury can’t be afforded to the likes of Penycae and Llandrindod Wells who look to be in for a midtable finish.

The Strugglers

At the bottom end, Llanidloes’ relegation from the JD Cymru North last season has hit the Powys side hard, and it’s been a real struggle in the Ardal North-East. They sit 14th with just three wins from 18 games. Chirk, another side who dropped from the second tier sit bottom of the table with two wins from 20 they but recently ended a run of five losses on the bounce with an impressive 3-3 draw at Brickfield. They’re without a win since the end of September and have failed to beat any side outside the bottom three. 

Llansantffraidd currently round off the bottom three sides. Rhos Aelwyd have played more games (21) than any other side in the division and have a seven-point buffer between themselves and Llanidloes and were buoyed by taking five points over the last four games to give themselves a cushion. The two sides above them, Radnor Valley and Llanfair United, look comfortable but a run of form in either direction could see them shoot up or down the table. 

Chirk celebrate their first goal scored by Brandon Edwards.
Felinfafch v Chirk AAA in the JD Welsh Cup at Cal Chwarae Felinfach on the 27th July 2024. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)

Topping the Charts

Radnor Valley may well not threaten in terms of the title but experienced forward Joe Price has notched a superb 19 goals in 18 games to sit top of the scoring charts. Meilir Williams has 17 goals for Llanwchllyn, impressive in just 11 games and is well on track to take the Golden Boot. 

16-year-old Osian Morris has 16 goals in as many games for Dolegellau in a dream debut season in senior football. Meanwhile, Bow Street’s Callum Page (14) and Kerry’s Luke Mumford (13) make up the top five. As mentioned, Builth Wells’ Tommy Rowlands has departed so will rely on the likes of Lyndon Jones (9 goals) to fill the gap.

Coming Up

There are some big games coming up that will shape the division including some slated for this weekend. Builth Wells are due to face Llanuwchllyn as the home side look to stave off the threat of the Village Hall side. It’s the first of four huge games for Builth who take on Kerry, Cefn Albion and Dolgellau over the next three weeks. Chirk meet Llansantfraidd in a ‘now or never’ meeting for both this Saturday.