With just a handful of games left across the North East, we’re inching closer to confirmation at both ends of the table.
With the leaders pulling away and our first confirmed side in the bottom three, the table is beginning to set.
Leading the Way
March proved to be a perfect month for leaders Llanuwchllyn. Leaders since August, Sion Tudor’s side won four out of four and have now won their last 11 games in all competitions. To add to it, Knighton in second have lost two of their last three games, increasing the gap a whopping 19 points. Llanuwchllyn have five games remaining, including their final game of the campaign away at Knighton, but the league title looks to be wrapped up by then, despite playing three more games than their mid-Wales title rivals.
The Chasing Pack
With Llanuwchllyn almost Champions-elect, that 2nd spot is crucial. Knighton sit a point clear of Bow Street with a game in hand but we could have a new challenger. Dolgellau have sat mid-table for the most part but with significant games in hand, and after winning four of their last five have shot up to 4th. They could bridge the gap to Bow Street to a point if they win their game in hand, and with five points to make up to Knighton with eight games remaining, it’s not a foregone conclusion that the top two will remain the same, especially considering that just before the deadline, Dolgellau re-signed Osian Morris from Brickfield who at 16 grabbed 28 goals last term and another six earlier this season before a brief spell in the Cymru North.
Osian Morris has returned to Dolgellau
Plenty of Positives
After a 10th-place finish last term, Penycae will be really pleased to be sitting in the top five with three games remaining. Though having played more than those around them, they could slip down a couple of spots. It’s been a real season of progress, showcased last weekend with a win over Bow Street to secure back-to-back victories after a drop in form.
Radnor Valley were 9th last term and have five games to play, four of which come against sides in the top four. Whilst it’s a difficult schedule to end on, it’s a superb chance to take points off the promotion chasers and build on for next year. To finish in the top six would be a marked improvement in their third season and would be their best finish since their first year in the division.
Should Have Enough
It’s been a brilliant season for Rhos Aelwyd, who, after a campaign that saw them just about stay up in 24/25, have exceeded all expectations. However, three losses in March have seen them drop to 7th and with more games played than the three below them, they could drop out of the top half. They’ve been up there all year so it would be a disappointment, but it also shows the progress made in the past 12-months.
Rhos Aelwyd can be pleased with their campaign
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Corwen’s tumultuous campaign has them 8th after being early contenders; they’ve just not been able to put a run of form together. Cefn Albion have played fewer games than anyone in the division (bar Llanfair – also 21) and know that a run could shoot them up to the top six. They could have hoped for more, but two wins in seven hasn’t been enough for a late charge for the top two to replicate Dolgellau. Still, a first year back home and a chance to better their 8th-place finish last term wouldn’t be all bad.
Promoted side Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant will be pleased with their first year back in tier three, sitting ten points clear of the bottom three. Had they turned a few of their four draws in recent weeks into wins, they could be looking at a top-half finish, and with seven games to play, may still aim for it.
Battle at the Bottom
One of the most incredible fightbacks we’ve seen in recent years has come at Tower Fields. Llangollen, with just a single win to their name as of January, have gone on a run for the ages, winning six out of seven, and that one loss coming to runaway leaders Llanuwchllyn. Now four clear of the bottom three, it’s had all the makings of a proper great escape, especially if they can begin April with victory over Kerry.
Llandrindod sit above them on goal difference, where wins over Lex and Kerry have been crucial this month.
Llandrindod pick up points – DRL Photography
The bottom three battle appears now to be between three sides following Lex’s confirmation at the bottom of the table. The newly-promoted Wrexham side have had a brutal reintroduction to life in tier three with 26 games and no wins.
Sitting above the Law Men is Builth Wells, who’ve fallen from the top five last May to second from bottom and three points adrift. The likes of Tommy Rowlands and Lyndon Jones have been too difficult to replace, and it’s telling that they’ve scored exactly half the number of goals they did last term.
Kerry have epitomised the term ‘tricky second season’ having done so well on debut. Occupying the final spot in the bottom three, they’re a point adrift of Llanfair but have played twice more. It’s not new territory for United, who stayed afloat last term but for Kerry they’ll need to pick up points quickly to apply pressure, having won just once this calendar year in a narrow victory over Lex.
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
If you’ve read these pieces all season, you know whose name is next. Without mentioning it, he’s now broken the 40 barrier and is five goals away from the league record set by Josh Astley for Llanfair in 2021/22. Meilir Williams will undoubtedly pick up the golden boot for the second straight season.
Knighton’s Luke Boundford sits second on 22, whilst the last person to take the Golden Boot before Williams – Gerwyn Williams – has 21, including 14 in his last 10 games.
Coming Up
Seven games take place this weekend, with Kerry’s trip to Llangollen the pick of the bunch. A win for the home side could all but secure their stay in tier three, and pile on the pressure of their mid-Wales visitors. A win for Kerry, and they could jump out of the bottom three and drag Llangollen back into the mix.
With Knighton in cup action, Bow Street could jump up to 2nd with a win over Builth Wells, whilst both Penycae and most significantly Dolgellau could close the gap to Knighton as well.
6th meet 7th when Radnor Valley host Rhos Aelwyd, whilst Llanfair’s home clash with Lex provides a huge opportunity to extend the gap to Kerry. Lex though have four games to grab a win, and will see this weekend as a chance.
Finally, Corwen and Llandrindod will look for a win in their battle to finish in the top half.
Full Fixtures:
Bow Street v Builth Wells
Cefn Albion v Dolgellau AA
Llandrindod Wells v Penycae
Llanfair United v Lex
Llangollen Town v Kerry
Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant v Corwen
Radnor Valley v Rhos Aelwyd
