In what has been an incredible season once more, things couldn’t be much tighter across the Ardal North-East.

The final third of the 2024/25 campaign is taking shape but it’s all to play for at the top and bottom of the division.

Title Chasers

When just four points separate the top five you know the title is likely to go down to the wire. Bow Street, in control for large spells of the campaign, sit a point clear in top spot with eight games to play but know the title is no longer in their hands. Instead, following outstanding cup form, Llanuwchllyn have played fewer games than anyone, and know that should they win their four games in hand they’ll head to the top, ahead of the five sides above them.

Resurgent Brickfield Rangers sit 4th having lost just twice this season and are four points behind the leaders with three games in hand. Unbeaten in 2025 when it comes to the league, ‘Bricky’ will be on the hunt for the coveted title.

We’ve seen sides come from a mass of games in hand to win the title – see Denbigh in 2023 – and a repeat could be on the cards but both Llanuwchllyn and Brickfield will need to be ruthless and dig in during a tough schedule. 

Dolegllau AAA on the attack in a match against Chirk AAA.

Dolgellau AAA remain in the hunt for promotion: Image – Dolgellau AAA

Challenging them however will be the likes of Builth Wells, Dolgellau and Kerry all of which will be jostling for position to take over at the summit. Builth and Kerry have the disadvantage of having played at least three more games than those around them. This could mean Bow Street, Brickfield and Dolgellau will be the ones to watch in the final third of a campaign that’s too close to call. 

Play-Off Hopefuls

Much like the top spot, this could well be anyone. Realistically the top six, all of which will have varying degrees of hope for a title-winning campaign will be able to fall back on a Play-Off spot. Last season Llanuwchllyn finished 2nd before losing to Llay Welfare on penalties, missing out on promotion. They’d love to avoid the extra game and go straight up but they’ll be able to use that experience to finally achieve promotion should they need it.

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Relegation Dog Fight

Whilst no sides have mathematically been relegated so far this season, it’s really not looking great for the bottom three. Llansantffraid are rooted to the bottom on 13 points and will need to more than double their points tally to remain in the division in their final five games. A loss this weekend for the Villagers and they’ll be playing in the fourth tier next season. 

Chirk and Llanidloes both came down from the JD Cymru North last season and look like they could repeat relegations as they sit ten points adrift of safety. With Radnor Valley occupying the final safe spot in the table but not in action in the league on Saturday, Chirk and Llanidloes will be safe for the time being, but losses this weekend could severely impact any slight hopes. 

Llanidloes Town celebrate a goal against Penycae

Llanidloes Town are hoping for a great escape: Image – Brian Prydd

They were both boosted by wins last time out with Llanidloes recording a first win since November in a 5-2 success over Llangollen and Chirk stunned title chasers Builth Wells 2-1 at Holyhead Road to make it three games unbeaten.

Should either or both sides have a resurgence in the final few games you have to worry for Rhos Aelwyd, who are sat a point above Radnor Valley on 27 and have just two games to play. Their maximum total of 33 could in theory be eclipsed by Radnor Valley, Chirk and Llanidloes should they go on a run to see out a poor season.

The Rest

Llanfair United like Rhos have 27 points but seven games to play so should be able to do enough, whilst Cefn Albion in 10th have the same, but a whopping 11 games to go. They’ll need to show relentlessness to overcome a busy schedule.

Llandrindod Wells and Penycae will be back next season whilst Llangollen, still technically able to reach the top two likely will have too much traffic in front of them from the leading pack.

Cup Dreams On?

This weekend four sides from the North-East 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.