The Ardal North East has reached the ‘business end’ of the season, where fates will be sealed at both ends of the league table.
With plenty of action across the division in February, here we take a look at the league going into the final stages.
Leading the Way
They led in August and haven’t stopped since. Llanuwchllyn remain top of the pile as they look to avoid the dreaded play-off which has cursed them for the last two years. An 89th minute penalty from Meilir Williams clinched three points at Llandrindod on Saturday, backing up their cup win a week previous. Nothing displayed their ruthlessness like their opening game of the month that saw them hit double-figures in a 10-0 hammering of basement side Lex.
13 points behind them but with three games in hand are new boys Knighton. Tipped early to be a contender, the mid-Wales side know they can close the gap to just four points if they can capitalise on their games in hand. Though when it looks like your rivals may finally let up like last weekend before a late winner, it’s difficult. Knighton sit a point above Bow Street in third who round off the top three.
The Chasing Pack
It’s now or never for a select few to try and secure that second spot. If Knighton are to hiccup in the quest to chase down the leaders, it looks like only Bow Street can realistically catch them. Penycae in fourth, are only six points behind but have played five more games than them. The Wrexham-based side’s form since the beginning of December let that slip, with last weekend’s 3-0 success over Lex their first win since the back end of November.
One side to keep an eye out for is Dolgellau and Cefn Albion, who, despite sitting 7th and 8th have played just 17 games, significantly less than those immediately above them. If either can hit a good patch of form then expect them to make up the top five if not challenge for second, but that’s heavily reliant on Knighton slipping, which, judging on their form, they likely won’t. But stranger things have happened.
Should Have Enough
Rhos Aelwyd and Radnor Valley will be really pleased with their campaign with safety all but secure early on. Both had a scare last year at times, particularly Rhos who had to wait for others to see if they’ll avoid the bottom three.
Corwen and Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant are the last of the sides who look like they’ll have a comfortable enough finish. Llanrhaeadr’s return to the third tier will be a success if they have Ardal League football to look forward to again in the summer of 2026. Corwen’s season has been disappointing after a great start, but upheaval saw them drop. Their win over Radnor Valley last weekend as well as a superb point away at Knighton will get them over the line.
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Battle at the Bottom
It’s a six-way dog fight at the bottom of the North East table. Kerry, who had such a superb first season have slumped in year two and sit just three points clear of the bottom three as it stands. One win in seven has dragged them into it, though they did take a good point at home to Penycae two weeks ago.
Llanfair below them in 12th have a two point gap but two games in hand over those below them, whilst their 3-0 win over second-from-bottom Llangollen will go a long way. Despite not winning a league game since October, Llandrindod almost took a point from runaway leaders Llanuwchllyn last weekend, but that won’t show on the league table and they need to start picking up points – especially with those below them beginning to chip away at the deficit.
Builth Wells, a side so often challenging in the top half occupy the final spot in the bottom three, though just one loss in their last five is positive. A big win over Llandrindod was welcome at the end of last year but three straight draws (including two goalless) and and a defeat to Rhos Aewlyd means they need to begin grinding out wins.
Llangollen looked an absolute shoo-in for the bottom three with just seven points picked up going into the new year. However, an away win at Llanrhaeadr in January was backed up with a massive 2-1 win over Dolgellau last weekend. Back-to-back wins going into this weekend’s trip to Llandrindod could close the gap to just two points.
Finally, Lex’s first season back has been difficult to put it mildly. 21 games in and they’re yet to record a win, with three draws and 18 defeats. Their place in the bottom three could be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Up for the Cup
This weekend, we’ll discover the Semi-Finalists of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup. Rhos Aelwyd make the long trip to Knighton whilst East meet West when Cefn Albion take on Trearddur Bay. North East leaders Llanuwchllyn welcome Bow Street whilst there’s a repeat of the Amateur Trophy Quarter-Final when Bangor meet Llangefni.
Scoring Boots
We do this every month. He’s up to 34 now for the season. Meilir Williams, if you’re passing the Ardal Leagues chiefs at any point, just pick the trophy up now.
Following him is Knighton’s Luke Boundford on 19 whilst Cefn Albion’s Alex Williams has 16 along with Penycae’s Zac Davies, Bow Street’s Rhys Hughes and Dolgellau’s Gerwyn Williams.
Coming Up
As well as the aforementioned Cup ties, four games are scheduled for this weekend.
Llangollen’s trip to Llandrindod is perhaps the one we’re most intrigued by where the repercussions could be massive at the bottom of the table, whilst Builth Wells could put a spanner in the works should they take three points at home to Corwen.
Elsewhere, Lex’s search for their first win continues at home to Dolgellau and Llanrhaeadr face Penycae.
February 28th:
Builth Wells v Corwen
Lex v Dolgellau
Llanrhaeadr v Penycae
Llandrindod Wells v Llangollen Town
Cup QF:
Knighton Town v Rhos Aelwyd
Cefn Albion v Trearddur Bay
Llanuwchllyn v Bow Street
Bangor City 1876 v Llangefni Town
