The Ardal North West has reached the ‘business end’ of the season, where fates will be sealed at both ends of the league table.
Just seven games took place across the division in February ahead of the final weekend with the weather and cup obligations prevalent, but it’s still shaped plenty of battles heading into our final ten games or so.
Leading the Way.
Has the door been left open just a little at the top? Bangor entered the month unbeaten 18 games into the season, but finally suffered their first loss in all competitions. Llannefydd welcomed the citizens to Cae Llannefydd, where goals from Tom Jones and Dave Lawson-Cooke (brace) stunned the league leaders. However, Bangor retaliated with a whopping nine goals against Trearddur Bay in a 9-2 success a week later. They’ve added to it with an FAW Amateur Trophy Quarter-Final win over Llangefni this week as they continue to fight on four fronts. They’ll just be glad not to face Llannefydd again, who’ve taken four points from them this season.
Porthmadog will be encouraged as they sit six points adrift of top but with a game in hand. With a possible mammoth 17 games for their title rivals between now and the end of the campaign, they’ll be hoping to capitalise on any mistakes. Without a game in February so far, they’ll need to shake off any rust this weekend against Felinheli.
The Chasing Pack
NFA’s battle to be the best of the rest took a hit last weekend with a defeat to Llay who are just a point behind the Rhyl-based side in fourth. It was NFA’s first league loss since October and in their second year at this level will take heart from a second successive finish at the top end of the table. If they can turns draws into wins – they have a league high eight – they could well challenge next term if they finish well this year.
Prestatyn Town and Bethesda round off the top six at the moment and look like they’ll be finishing in or around there this year. Prestatyn will perhaps look at this season with some disappointment, but they’re rebuilding following last terms relegation and with some good additions made throughout the season including a number of former promotion winners, they’re positioning themselves well.
Last weekend they excited the Amateur Trophy after a 98th minute winner for South Wales side Pontardawe so all of their focus now will be on a strong finish. Meanwhile Bethesda had quite a different season and ambition coming into this year following promotion, and after a ‘one and done’ campaign a couple of years ago, will be thrilled to be more than comfortable this time around.
Trearddur Bay’s points deduction has cost them two places but with two games in hand over a few could end strong, though last weekend’s loss will sting. Llangefni fell away from the title race and sit 8th but are in the midst of a tight spot where one win could propel them up to 5th.
Finally, Llannefydd, under the new management of Chris Morrell, have hit some form. Wins over Llay and Bangor leave them ninth with just 16 games played. If they can go on a run you wouldn’t put them past shaking off a difficult year and closing the season out with a top five finish.
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Should Have Enough
Llanrwst’s lack of action in February so far has seen them drop a place to 10th, and whilst likely the last side likely to avoid the bottom three, it’s a surprise to see them struggle this term after flashing possible promotion challenges in recent years. Below them sits Mynydd Isa who are four points clear and know that should they win their game in hand over the bottom five sides, could begin planning for life in the third tier again.
Battle at the Bottom
It’s a brutal battle to avoid the uncertainty of the bottom three. Pwllheli and Connah’s Quay Town sit in the final two safe spots. The latter met with Penmaenmawr earlier this month where a narrow 1-0 win for the Phoenix dragged the Flintshire side closer to a slug fest to see out the campaign.
Talking of Penmaenmawr, what a month it’s been for them. In their two league games so far this month they’ve won both, doubling the amount of games won in the division this season. The slim win over Connah’s Quay was backed up with a 5-2 vicory at St Asaph. They’re now just two points away from clawing away from the bottom three in what would be a truly great escape after picking up just two wins before February.
Above them though, sit Felinheli, a side who have lost just one of their last six games as they fight for their place next year. Without any action so far either, the wins from those around them will trouble the side from Cae Seilo.
Finally, St Asaph. A year with a lack of stability has hindered them from the start and just continued. A good club who’ll rise again, but with just the one win this year and three points on the board after a deduction earlier in the campaign, it’s beginning to look inevitable that they’ll be finishing in that bottom spot, particularly with just 17 goals scored.
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
Bangor’s Corrig McGonigle is no stranger to the top of the goalscoring charts in the Ardal North-West and his 19 goals put him there. Osian Hughes follows on 17 for Bethesda whilst Jonathan Collo of Llay makes up the top three with 15.
Coming Up
As well as the aforementioned Cup ties, five games are scheduled for this weekend. Pwllheli welcome NFA as the home side look to put more space between them and those at the bottom, whilst at the other end Porthmadog could bridge the gap to Bangor by three points away at Felinheli.
Connah’s Quay and Llanrwst also need to pick up points in their contest whilst Mynydd Isa play host to Prestatyn after two games between the sides already at the Seasiders’ Bastion Gardens. Finally, Bethesda and Llay meet in a matchup between 4th and 6th.
February 28th:
Pwllheli v NFA
Felinheli v Porthmadog
Connah’s Quay Town v Llanrwst United
Mynydd Isa v Prestatyn Town
Bethesda Athletic v Llay Miners Welfare
Cup QF:
Knighton Town v Rhos Aelwyd
Cefn Albion v Trearddur Bay
Llanuwchllyn v Bow Street
Bangor City 1876 v Llangefni Town
