Whilst the crown is firmly in place in the West the Ardal North East is going well and truly down to the wire.

With plenty still to play for despite ten sides now finishing for the season, it’s been a nail-biter all season long.

Title Chasers

Brickfield have made the most of their games in hand and know a win this weekend confirms their place at the top of the division for 24/25. On Saturday, the biggest game of the season will see them face current leaders Bow Street. It’s Bow’s final game of the season as they sit on 62 points, ahead of Brickfield on goal difference. Third-placed Dolgellau sit two points behind the pair and face Brickfield a week on Saturday, meaning unless there’s a draw this weekend, they’ll be mathematically eliminated from the title race. Even then, goal difference makes it hugely unlikely. 

Play-Offs

With Brickfield firm favourites to take the title, the race for the playoff spot takes a shift. With Bow Street opting not to win promotion if given the chance, third place could be huge and bring Dolegallu and Llanuwchllyn firmly into play. 

Dolegallu sit third at the moment and should Bow lose at the weekend and they beat Brickfield a week later, they’ll take second spot. Llanuwchllyn sit three points behind them with a game in hand so will be hoping Dolgellau can’t beat the potential champions whilst also picking up maximum points against Kerry and Radnor Valley, giving them the chance to shake off last year’s playoff heartache. 

Dolgellau are still in the hunt: Image Rod Davies

The Bottom Three

All sides bar Radnor Valley have now finished their campaign in the bottom half of the table. The bottom three was recently confirmed with Llansantffraid and Chirk propping up the league. Llanidloes had a bit of a resurgence in February but without a win in their last five games, including the final three games ending in defeat, they end the year in the bottom three – three points adrift of Rhos Aelwyd. 

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The Rest

Of the newly promoted sides, Kerry will finish the highest. The mid-Wales side sit 6th and will finish there even with a game still to play. The other sides back in the division were relegated the previous season in the Cymru North, and finished in the bottom three (Llanidloes and Chirk). 

Builth Wells finished well: Image DRL Photography

Builth Wells finished the campaign in 5th, following on another strong season, whilst Llandrindod Wells and Llangollen improved by a place compared to last season in 7th and 8th. Radnor Valley put in some miles this season and successfully navigated away from danger, whilst there were comfortable finishes for Penycae, Cefn Albion and Llanfair United. 

The Final

The Final of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup has now been confirmed with Porthmadog meeting Brickfield Rangers in Rhyl on May 17th. Brickfield will be looking to make it a league and cup double as Denbigh did two years ago, winning the league at Brickfield’s Clywedog Park. Rangers have been excellent but will have full focus on the league before facing a Porthmadog side looking for a tonic to missing out on promotion this term. 

Goal-Den Boys

Llanuwchllyn forward Meilir Williams has been in incredible form this season with an eye-watering 34 goals for his side in the league this season. Williams has featured in all bar one league games for Llanuwchllyn and has been a talisman for the side. 

Bow Street’s Callum Page trails him by seven goals as he’s netted 27 for his side. 16-year old Dolgellau forward Osian Morris has a staggering 26 in 28 games. However, the youngster suffered a significant injury last weekend against Radnor Valley. Brickfield’s Andy Vale has 22 and could break the top three with three games to play.

Joe Price of Radnor Valley and Brickfield’s Tom Freeman make up the top five with 21 apiece.

Meilir Williams just can’t stop scoring: Photo Sam Eaden