The winners and losers of the season are set to be decided in just a matter of weeks in a pulsating Lock Stock Ardal North-West.

The final third of the 2024/25 campaign is taking shape with some sides scheduled for just three games left of the campaign. Here we take a look at where we stand.

Title Chasers

13 points. That’s all it could take for Rhyl to take the title and promotion to the JD Cymru North at the third attempt. Unbeaten since October, Rhyl have dropped just four points from their last available 42 and haven’t lost a game since the appointment of manager Paul Moore in November.

Should the Lilywhites take 13 points from their final seven games the league title will head to Belle Vue, with 69 points the magic mark for the title-chasers. Meanwhile, nearest rivals Porthmadog can reach 68 points from their remaining fixtures alongside Holyhead Hotspur, Llanrwst United and Llannefydd, the latter two having four games in hand but a lot of ground to make up.

Play-Off Hopefuls

Should Porthmadog miss out on top spot they’ll be consoled by a possible 2nd place finish and chance to compete in the Play-Off for promotion. Currently four points clear of newly-promoted NFA, they’ll be battling it out at the top with just eight points splitting 2nd and 6th and a number of sides as previously mentioned with games in hand.

Tom Hilditch celebrates for Porthmadog: Sam Eaden/FAW

 Holyhead know two wins from their games in hand would send them to 3rd and a point adrift of second spot, whilst the same can be said of the four games spare for Llanrwst and Llannefydd in 7th and 8th spots. 

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Relegation Dog Fight

The first side relegated in the third tier came on Saturday when Conwy Borough’s fate was sealed. The Tangerines lost 6-0 to NFA and with nine points on the board and 13 points adrift of safety, the side’s relegation was confirmed with just three games left to play. 

Meanwhile, a glimmer of hope remains for Menai Bridge Tigers who picked up a massive point away at Porthmadog – whilst striking a real blow to their hosts title hopes. They sit on 12 points and are ten adrift with 12 points left to play for. The Tigers’ four games come against Nantlle Vale, Treaddur Bay and Connah’s Quay Town.

Nantlle Vale currently occupy the final relegation spot, two points adrift of St Asaph City. The Saints met Nantlle Vale last weekend in a massive six-pointer where it looked as if Nantlle may escape the drop, only for skipper Jake Walker to draw St Asaph level with five minutes to play.

The Rest

Promoted sides Connah’s Quay Town and Corwen will be pleased with life back in the third tier. Connah’s Quay did look to possibly challenge at one point this season but a top ten finish (9th at the time of writing) would do well for a side at this level for the first time. Corwen bounced back well winning their title last term and sit 11th under the guidance of Adam Galdo. 

Elsewhere Felinheli have done superbly in recent weeks recording three straight wins to almost ensure safety whilst Pwllheli are all set for a comfortable finish in the middle of the pack.

Connah’s Quay Town celebrate at Deeside Stadium. Pic – Connah’s Quay Town FC.

Cup Dreams On?

This weekend four sides from the North-West will compete in the Quarter-Final of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup. Porthmadog make the arduous journey to Kerry whilst Llannefydd face Radnor Valley. Treaddur Bay take on Builth Wells in a mouth-watering tie whilst NFA and Brickfield meet in Rhyl.