The Lock Stock Ardal North East is well and truly up and running, with the opening five matchdays providing plenty of entertainment.
With the season back underway here, we take stock of the opening stages of the new campaign.
Quick Starts
One of the league favourites who’ve chased promotion for the last two seasons have got off to a flying start. Llanuchwllyn’s opening five games saw them record four wins and a draw as they remain one of just three unbeaten sides in the division. After a draw on the opening day they’ve recorded four wins on the spin, scoring 19 goals as the top scorers of the league. Talisman Meilir Williams has been pivotal with ten goals in five games, having finished as last season’s top scorer.
Hot on their heels are Cefn Albion, who’ve registered four wins from five. After finally returning home after time in exile, the Albion have registered some impressive results with their one defeat coming to the current leaders. Two other clubs have double-digit points in the league thus far, both sitting on 10 apiece. Corwen were tipped in pre-season as being possible challengers, and they’ve lived up to it early on, whilst Llandrindod Wells’ top-half finish last term has been a springboard early doors.
Corwen start well – Lisi Jones
Adapting to the North-East
It’s been a positive start for Knighton Town following promotion last season, with the new boys the only other side unbeaten thus far. Four games in for them, the Robins began their season with a 2-2 draw at Radnor Valley before picking up their first win over Dolgellau four days later.
Knighton Town take on Dolgellau – Barcud-Coch Photography
Llanrhaeadr’s return to the third tier saw them struggle in the first three but eventually pick up their first win against fellow promoted side Lex, as the Powys side look to retain their place this season following a season’s absence from this level.
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Finally, Lex’s welcome back to the Ardal North East has been difficult, picking up a point from their first five. They opened the season with a solid 2-2 draw with Rhos Aelwyd before heavy losses to Llandrindod Wells and Dolgellau as well as the aforementioned 3-1 defeat to Llanrhaeadr.
Surprise Packages
Last season Rhos Aelwyd had to agonise to learn their fate in the final few weeks, with Llanidloes battling relegation in a race to stay up, as Rhos’ schedule had come to an end with the mid-Wales side mathematically able to catch them. Now, the Wrexham club complete the trio of unbeaten sides to begin the season. Gareth Jones’ side picked up an impressive draw at home to Llanuwchllyn before a further two draws with Lex and Kerry. They followed things up with back-to-back wins away at Penycae and at home to Builth Wells to lift them to fifth in the standings early on.
Cefn Albion and Rhos Aelwyd start strong
On the other end of the scale, it’s been a difficult start for both Builth Wells and Bow Street who both finished in the top five the previous campaign. Last season’s runners-up Bow Street have lost key players in the summer and will need to regroup to challenge again. They’ve won one of their first four. Builth Wells have two wins in their first five, which includes a win over quick starters Llandrindod, but back-to-back losses in the league isn’t ideal heading into the final week of August.
The Rest
Five games in will never give you a true reflection of the table and that’ll shape up over the next month or so, but the sides mentioned previously will all have learned a lot moving into September. Llangollen at the foot of the division will be hoping to kick start their season having drawn on the opening day before four losses in a row. Meanwhile, Penycae, Kerry, Dolgellau, Llanfair United and Radnor Valley have all picked up points in hopes of travelling in the right direction.
Scoring Boots
Meilir Williams leads the race thus far with a perfect 10 but hot behind him comes Cefn Albion’s Alex Williams. The 30-year olf has netted seven goals in four games so far in the league including back to back braces against Llanuwchllyn and Kerry. He netted 16 goals in the league last season and is coming close to half of that before we’ve even reached September. Llanfair’s Josh Astley follows them on six goals, helped by an oustanding hatrick in a 4-1 win over Llangollen two weeks ago. Kirean Dovey’s return to Knighton has been well recieved with four goals so far, the same totalled reached by Llandrindod’s Liam Hall, Rhos Aelwyd’s Aled Parry and Lex’s Seb Kidd – the latter could be vital to his side’s status.
Meilir Williams tops the charts – again!
Coming Up
All 16 sides are in action on Saturday as they return to league action. Builth Wells take on in-form Cefn Albion at home in a game that could kickstart their campaign, whilst Corwen will look to put cup disappointment behind them at home to Llanrheadr.
Kerry and Dolgellau both had superb seasons last year but could do with a few results as not to fall behind those at the top early on, whilst Lex still search for their first win and face a Bow Street side in real need of points if they want to be up there again in April.
Llandrindod Wells hosting Knighton Town may well be game of the weekend in the East as the home side’s great start could be made even better if they become to the first side to beat Knighton in the league this year.
Llangollen will have to be at their best to earn their first win of the season at home to Rhos Aelwyd whilst Llanuwchllyn look to maintain top spot at home to Llanfair. Finally, Penycae welcome Radnor Valley to Afoneitha Road.
