As the Ardal North East enters the final third of the season, things are heating up at both ends of the table. 

Everything is still to play for in a tightly contested division, here we take a look at where we stand. 

Leading the Way.

Have we got a title battle on our hands? Llanuwchllyn have been rampant this season, unbeaten in their first 16 games of the campaign. They rocketed to the top in August and stayed there. They did lose their first game in December, but have bounced back with two wins on the spin. 

However, Knighton – a side tipped by us in the summer as a real challenger – are just five points behind with a game in hand. The newly promoted mid Wales side have lost just once (against Llanuwchllyn back in October), and know that if they win their game in hand, the gap will be just two points. All eyes will be on their second clash of the season later this year but their the form side of the division, having won seven of their last eight games. 

The Chasing Pack

A gap seems to have formed between the top three and those below, with Bow Street occupying third, three points behind Knighton. Eight points behind Llanuwchllyn, it appears a couple of losses in their last four games may mean there’s just too much to do with the way the top two are going, but stranger things have happened. 

One to watch could be Dolgellau in 5th, who’ve played fewer games than anyone else with 15 played. After their impressive win to end Llanuwchllyn’s unbeaten run, it’s not inconceivable that they could put a run together to challenge at least a playoff spot. 

Penycae sit above them but have played a whopping five more games, but the Afoneitha Road side will be delighted with their campaign so far. Wrexham neighbours Cefn Albion have run out 16 times in the league so far and know themselves that a run of form will lift them from sixth, but their recent defeat to Radnor Valley saw those below them close the gap. Their next three league games come against sides in the bottom half, and they’ll expect to put a run together if they want any say come April, last week’s win at Penycae will have also gone a long way. 

Should Have Enough

Whilst Radnor Valley have recorded four wins on the bounce and sit level on points with sides as high as fifth, they’ve played three and four games more than those above them, so it’ll take a lot of outside circumstances to muscle their way in. But they’ve done well this year, they’re in-form and the gap at Christmas between the first two and second two wins didn’t hinder them, they’ll be more than comfortable this year.

Rhos Aewlyd’s season has petered off a little after a really good start. A surprise package at the beginning of the year, they now make up the top eight but have won just three of their last ten. Still, having stayed up last year in the final safe spot, they’ve progressed this term and shouldn’t be in any bother.

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The same can be said for newly promoted Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, whose return to the third tier has been successful so far. Following five wins on the spin in October and November, they’ve fallen away a little with one win in their last five but should be fine for a second season in the division. 

Battle at the Bottom

Significant disruption earlier this season has seen Corwen drop from possible challengers to looking over their shoulder in ninth. They’ve played a game fewer than those below and are six points ahead of the bottom three, but it shows just how things can change in a few short months. In reality, they should be ok, but their upcoming games with Knighton, Kerry and Lex could be telling as to where they’ll expect to take at least six points.

The bottom-three as it stands has Lex propping up the division on two points, without a win since returning to the third tier. They last secured a point back in October and have lost nine on the bounce. It’s not been a happy return for the Lawmen so far as they sit 15 points off 13th. 

Llangollen sit above them seven points away and will be encouraged by two wins in their last five. After grabbing their first three points against Lex in November, they’ve granned a vital second win at Llanrhaeadr last weekend. The last spot is currently occupied by Builth Wells, a side who in recent years have been fighting at the top end. Unbeaten in their last three games, including a 5-1 away win at Llandrindod Wells has done them the world of good and are the form team when it comes to the bottom six over the last three games.  

A break at Christmas has given sides a chance to regroup and that’s exactly what Llanfair, Kerry and Llandrindod need. All within three points of the bottom three, they need to get moving, particularly if Builth continue to pick up points in the next few weeks. 

Up for the Cup

There are still places up for grabs in the Quarter-Final of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup. From the East, Bow Street have secured their place in the last eight with a 5-1 dismantling of Corwen and will take on the winner of Llanuwchllyn or Llanfair.

Cefn Albion booked their spot in the next round and were drawn at home to North West opposition Trearddur Bay, whilst Rhos Aelwyd take on Knighton in a bid to advance. 

Scoring Boots

Meilir Williams is the first player to grab 30 for the season, 12 clear of anyone else in the charts. No other player has reached 20 in the league this season, a telling statistic. No more needs to be said about the Llanuwchllyn front man; he’s absolutely vital and a machine at this level. 

Knighton’s Luke Boundford continues to add his experience and scoring touch with 18 for the campaign whilst Dolgellau’s Gerwyn Williams has shot up the charts with a mindblowing nine goals in his last four games to take his tally to 16. 

Alex Williams (Cefn Albion) and Rhys Hughes (Bow Street) make up the top five with 15 goals apiece, 

Coming Up

A full slate of fixtures is coming up on Saturday in the North-East, with plenty of intriguing clashes. The pick of the games comes at Lant Fields as Llangollen travel to Builth Wells. A win likely takes Builth out of the bottom three, whilst three points for the visitors could take them within four points of 13th. That makes Llandrindod Wells’ journey to Dolgellau crucial, where they know they’ll need something from the trip to avoid dropping into danger. 

A Wrexham derby between Rhos Aelwyd and Penycae is an intriguing game as both look to keep up with those above. Leaders Llanuchwllyn face Kerry, whilst Knighton will look to pounce on any mistakes they might make in their home clash with Corwen. 

Lex host Radnor Valley looking for their first win at the 19th attempt, whilst Bow Street meet Llanfair and Cefn Albion host Llanrhaeadr. 

January 31st:

Bow Street v Llanfair United

Builth Wells v Llangollen Town

Cefn Albion v Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant

Dolgellau v Llandrindod Wells

Kerry v Llanuwchllyn

Knighton Town v Corwen

Lex v Radnor Valley

Rhos Aelwyd v Penycae