In a campaign full of action the picture when it comes to the North-West has become much clearer.

Unlike in the East, the chasing packs at the top and bottom have thinned out, but there’s still time for a shock or two.

 

Title Chasers

 

The last time we took a look at the title picture Rhyl needed 13 points to secure the honours. Now, it’s just four and they could win it this weekend. Porthmadog sit 12 points adrift of the Lilywhites after a shock 3-0 loss at Corwen last weekend. In fact, a win for the Rhyl means the only sides who can catch them are Porthmadog in second and Llannefydd, all the way down in 7th but with eight games left to play. Should Llannefydd win all of their games until the end of the season, they’ll finish on 65 points, three ahead of Rhyl’s current total of 62. 

 

 

Rhyl lost their first game since October at the weekend when they fell to a dramatic 3-4 defeat at home to Holyhead. But it would take a spectacular implosion to lose to Treaddur Bay, Porthmadog and Llanrwst before their final-day showdown with…Llannefydd. But it’ll be a massive ask for the latter who play eight games in the space of less than four weeks. 

The reality of the situation is Rhyl could wrap up the title on Saturday if:

• Rhyl win
• Porthmadog fail to win
• Holyhead fail to win
• Llannefydd fail to win

 

Play-Off Hopefuls

 

Whilst the title looks settled, the playoff race is well and truly on. Porthmadog loosened their grip at the weekend with their loss and Holyhead’s massive win over Rhyl. Three points behind in third, Hotspur have a game in hand and a superior goal difference meaning right now, it’s theirs to lose. 

NFA sit four points behind them in fourth, a remarkable achievement in their first year at this level, but the gap looks just too big for the Rhyl side to mount a challenge at this stage. The games in hand for Llannefydd and Treaddur Bay mean they can’t be discarded and should they put a run together will look to pounce on those above.

 

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The Bottom Three

 

Two confirmed, one more to go when it comes to the bottom three. Conwy Borough and Menai Bridge Tigers may be long gone but that final relegation spot is still lurking. St Asaph City knew they had to pick up points having played more than those around them, and have done so in style the last three games. When it mattered most they grabbed their first back-to-back wins of the season against Pwllheli and Corwen before earning a point against Connah’s Quay. They’re now six points clear going into their final game of the season against NFA.

 

 

Occupying the final spot is Nantlle Vale, five points adrift of Felinheli with four games to play. 

The full picture:

St Asaph City (12th – 29 points): NFA (H)

Felinheli (13th – 28 points): Llannefydd (A), Corwen (H), Treaddur Bay (A), Llanrwst (H)

Nantlle Vale (14th – 23 points): Corwen (H), Menai Bridge (H), Corwen (A), Llanrwst (H)

Losses to Corwen and Menai Bridge would see Nantlle confirmed in the bottom three with two games to spare, whilst for Felinheli seven points from their final four games would see them safe no matter what, though they’re likely to need less than that. 

 

The Rest

 

It’s been a great season for four of the promoted sides from last season who will return for a second season. NFA, Treaddur Bay, Corwen and Pwllheli have all more than secured their place in the third tier. Corwen are well on course for a top-ten finish and with games in hand could well take a couple of places more whilst Pwllheli, though not mathematically safe, looks to have done about enough. 

 

 

Connah’s Quay Town had a brilliant start to life in the division but patchy form saw them drop off at the turn of the year, but it’s still been a brilliant campaign, with a new manager at the helm next season in Gary McConnell, the new boss will be keen to make his mark. Finally, Llanrwst’s games in hand means they could cause quite a bit of disruption around them, particularly against those at the bottom on both Nantlle Vale and Felinheli’s final games, and could leapfrog a few to finish well. 

Cup Dreams On?

 

March opened up with St David’s Day clashes in the Ardal Northern League Cup when the Quarter-Finals were contested. Porthmadog saw off Kerry in a narrow 1-0 win in stoppage time before Radnor Valley at the expense of Llannefydd, booking their place in the final four. Treaddur Bay’s cup dream continued with a 92nd-minute winner from Josh Stanley to see off Bow Street after levelling with five minutes to go via Dewi Thomas. Finally, Brickfield’s possible league and cup double is still on when navigating past NFA away from home on penalties 

Semi-Final:

05/04: Brickfield Rangers v Treaddur Bay

12/04: Porthmadog v Radnor Valley

Goal-Den Boys

 

There’s surely no catching Rhyl’s young ace Dylan Proctor. The 21-year-old has 25 goals for the season after his double against Holyhead at the weekend. Porthmadog’s Tom Hildich sits behind him on 18 whilst Corwen’s Sam Henry has been essential for his side at War Memorial Park with 16. Llangefni’s Osian Jones and Holyhead’s Cory Williams have 14 whilst Rhys Williams at Porthmadog rounds off the top five with 13 goals.