The final stretch of the Ardal North West is well underway, and it’s still all to play for at both ends of the standings.

With the title race in full swing and the bottom three close, it could all change in the final few weeks. 

Leading the Way

It’s a race that’s been dominated by two sides for the vast majority of the season, and it’s absolutely going to stay that way. Bangor and Porthmadog sit well ahead of anyone in the top two and both will have a chance at either the title or a possible playoff come May.

Bangor lead the way by five points with just a single defeat all season. Firm favourites to take the title, the Citizens bounced back from their first loss with four straight wins, including a 13-0 mauling of Mynydd Isa on Saturday. Porthmadog are unbeaten since December but gave up ground in March with a goalless draw with Prestatyn. 

Both sides have seven games left to play and can’t afford to slip now at such a crucial stage of the season. 

The Chasing Pack

What a campaign it’s been for Bethesda Athletic. 26 games in and they sit third – best of the rest – as it stands. They have played a game more than NFA and Prestatyn below them but a place in the top trio isn’t a reach for the newly-promoted side. Staying afloat in tier three after relegation last time out would have been a success, but they’ve exceeded all expectations.

NFA’s unbeaten run between October and February seems a lifetime ago, as Niall McGuiness’ side winning just once in their last six games. Having boasted one of the best defensive records, the Rhyl-based side have struggled in recent weeks but may have got back on track after last weekend’s 4-0 win over Trearddur Bay. 

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Plenty of Positives

Just four points separate Bethesda in 3rd and Llannefydd in 7th and things can certainly change in the next few weeks. Prestatyn’s rebuild continues ahead of what they hope will be a promotion push next term but much like neighbours NFA will need to turn draws into wins, with four of their last five games ending with points shared. Llay are a point behind them but have also struggled for results in recent weeks. 

Llannefydd have played less games than anyone bar Penmaenmawr at just 20, with just four points separating them from third. With six wins on the spin, Chris Morrell’s side are bang at it and could well improve on their 5th-placed finish last season. This weekend’s trip to Bethesda will be key for them in that regard. 

Should Have Enough

Though a disappointing campaign after challenging early doors, Llangefni round off the top half of the table but likely have too big a gap to those above. Inconsistency at Cae Bob Parry has seen the side drop down where form just never recovered after October’s three defeats to end their unbeaten start.

Likewise, Llanrwst have always been a side in and around the top five or so but this year never got going. Three wins in their last ten has them 9th though they do have a game in hand over Llangefni two points above in the top half. 

Trearddur Bay’s difficult 2026 continues with six losses on the bounce. After losing a number of players in recent months, the Angelsey side have been unable to recover, though they will take solace in their Semi-Final of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup. Had the difficult patch begun earlier, there’s a real chance the bottom three would be hunting them down. 

Pwllheli are seven points clear of the bottom three as things stand, and whilst not totally out of the woods, there are three sides battling it out below them and could well be ok, though one unexpected weekend could change that. Their five-game unbeaten run, including wins over NFA and Mynydd Isa have been crucial. 

Battle at the Bottom

We’ve had our first confirmed side in the bottom three in what’s been a truly harrowing campaign for St Asaph City. One win all season, a points deduction and six straight defeats going into this weekend, the Saints have six games remaining to gather themselves and prepare for whatever 2026/27 has in store. 

It’s now or never for Penmaenmawr Phoenix, they have ten games to claw themselves away. Wins in February over Connah’s Quay and St Asaph were vital, whilst they went on to earn a point at Llangefni in March. Last weekend they lost out to Llannefydd and will look for a reaction at Prestatyn at the weekend. Seven points separate them from Mynydd Isa in the final safe spot with two games in hand and the two still to meet.

The final occupant is Connah’s Quay, three adrift of safety but having played more than any of the side around them. They’ll be desperate to win their final four games, starting with Penmaenmawr and followed up with Llay, Llangefni and Trearddur Bay. 

Felinheli and Mynydd Isa are safe as it stands but can’t rely on other results, and picking up vital poins in the final eight games for both sides is going to be key. Connah’s Quay’s lack of games will make it a herculean task, especially if they falter against Phoenix on Saturday. 

Up for the Cup

The Semi-Final line-up is almost complete for the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup. Llanuwchllyn will meet Trearddur Bay this weekend to book their place in the showpiece.

Meanwhile, Knighton and Llay’s Quarter-Final will take place with the winner travelling to Bangor City 1876. 

Scoring Boots

One of Bethesda’s biggest reasons for their superb campaign has to be forward Osian Hughes. The 24-year old has a staggering 26 goals in 24 games for Athletic, bettering his record a tier lower last term of 22. 

Close behind him is Corrig McGonigle, someone you’d expect to be there or thereabouts in a Bangor shirt in the third tier. His 24 goals are closest to troubling Hughes for the Golden Boot. 

Tom Hilditch has 19 for Trearddur Bay and has again proven just how good he is at this level. 

Coming Up

League toppers Bangor could extend their lead on Tuesday night in their home clash with Pwllheli to eight points with a win. Though the visitors know they’ll surely be all but safe if they pick up three points.

Midweek action continues on Wednesday when Prestatyn host Penmaenmawr in a big clash for the visitors, whilst Trearddur Bay will look to end their poor run at home to bottom-side St Asaph.

Bangor are back in action on Saturday away at Felinheli whilst Pwllheli’s week doesn’t get much easier when they host Porthmadog. 

Bethesda and Llannefydd will be a fascinating meet-up at the weekend as will Penmaenmawr’s game with Connah’s Quay. Elsewhere, Llanrwst host NFA, Mynydd Isa face Llangefni and St Asaph have a local derby with Prestatyn.

Full Fixtures:

Midweek:

Bangor City 1876 v Pwllheli (Tuesday)

Trearddur Bay v St Asaph City (Wednesday)

Prestatyn Town v Penmaenmawr Phoenix (Wednesday)

Weekend:

Felinheli v Bangor City 1876

Pwllheli v Porthmadog

Bethesda Athletic v Llannefydd

Llanrwst United v NFA

Mynydd Isa v Llangefni Town

St Asaph City v Prestatyn Town 

Penmaenmawr Phoenix v Connah’s Quay Town

The battle for the North East is on – Read Here