As we reach roughly a third of the way through the Lock Stock Ardal Northern Leagues for 2024/25 there’s already been plenty of drama.

The North East and North West are packed with action just shy of three months in with plenty of stories so far this term.

We begin our early round-up in the North East where it’s all to play for.

The Ardal North East’s early pace setters Bow Street couldn’t have asked for a better start after ten games. With seven wins, two draws and just a single defeat the Aberystwyth-based side sits pretty at the top of the table. Despite the departure of manager Llyr Hughes in September, the side has rallied with an unbeaten run dating back to August as well as progressing in the League Cup and Amateur Trophy.

Hot on their heels though are division new-boys Kerry who after promotion from the fourth tier sit just two points behind the leaders. The mid-Wales side can’t stop scoring at the moment with their last three games finishing in a 4-1 win over Cefn Albion, 6-1 success at home to Chirk and a whopping 8-4 away win at Builth Wells. 

It’s tight at the top though, with just seven points separating first and ninth so a run of wins or losses can see things change very quickly. Llangollen (4th) and Llanfair United (5th) have games in hand over the top three and could propel themselves well within the mix with a string of good form.

The bottom three sees two sides who competed in the JD Cymru North last season and have struggled mightily since dropping to the third tier. Chirk have two wins from their opening 11 games with the young local squad trying to regroup following relegation last term. A point below them are Llanidloes Town with one win in their opening ten games. Llansantffraidd Village have struggled in front of goal with just six goals thus far compared to 37 conceded and have lost all but one of their games so far.

Individually we’ve had some belting performances with Builth Wells’ Tommy Rowlands leading the Golden Boot race with 13 goals in ten games in the league, along with an additional five in cup competitions. Meilir Williams isn’t far behind on 12 goals for Llanuwchllyn, a statistic boosted last week with a whopping five goals against Chirk AAA. Meanwhile, Llangollen’s Ben Wilson has a goal involvement in each of his last four games and six goals in his last three outings – totalling 11 so far this season.

When looking at all-round performances look no further than Kerry’s Neil Mitchell, signed from Caersws in the summer, the 36-year-old has three goals and eight assists in his ten games this campaign with the Lambs in outstanding form. 

This weekend sees leaders Bow Street with a tricky match with Builth Wells whilst in-form Llanfair face a Brickfield side looking to take advantage of their games in hand to shoot up the league.

Dolgellau are within touching distance of those chasing top spot and will look to heap more misery on Chirk whilst Kerry will see if they can leapfrog to first at home to basement outfit Llansantffraidd. Elsewhere Penycae host Llanidloes, Randor Valley face Llandrindod Wells and there’s a Wrexham derby between Rhos Aelwyd and Cefn Albion.

Meanwhile, Llanuwchllyn and Llangollen will be in Welsh Cup action this weekend with some mammoth ties for the pair. Llanuwchllyn will host Cymru Premier side Newtown whilst Llangollen could cause the upset of a lifetime against UEFA Conference League side The New Saints at Park Hall.

Image: Llangollen Town FC