The Lock Stock Ardal North East is fast approaching the halfway stage and the division has more than taken shape.

With teams beginning to come to terms – both good and bad – with what they’ll be battling, here we take a look at the last month in the third tier. 

Leading the Way.

If you’ve read these updates throughout the season, you know where this is going. Llanuwchllyn took over at the top in August and haven’t relented. 13 games in, Sion Tudor’s side have yet to lose in the league and have an eight-point gap at the top as they reach the halfway stage. If they can keep injury-free, you wouldn’t bet against them finally earning that league title they’ve craved for three years.

Chasing the Top 

It’s much tighter when it comes to looking to secure a place in the top two as it stands, with four points separating 2nd down to 6th. Knighton occupy the final spot in the top two via goal difference with themselves, Penycae and Cefn Albion all sat on 25 points. 

One of the league’s key clashes this month came when Knighton travelled to Cefn Albion, with the mid-Wales outfit putting in a superb away performance and heading back south with three points in a 3-1 victory. Knighton’s promotion boost from last term has really continued into the third tier, and they’ll be eying back-to-back successes. 

Albion have dropped since October with back-to-back losses against Llanfair United and Llanrheadr denting their hopes of opening a gap between 2nd and 3rd. However, wins over Bow Street, Llandrindod Wells and Radnor Valley have seen them at least keep pace. 

Meanwhile, dark horses Penycae have lost just one of their last nine games with that one setback coming against the league leaders. Perhaps not tipped at the start of the season, the Wrexham-based side have been outstanding in the first half of the campaign. Elsewhere, it’s been a good start for Bow Street and Llanrhaeadr, who’ve kept within four points of Knighton. 

Need to Get Going

Last month’s managerial and player departures at Corwen certainly haven’t helped with a downturn in form, dropping the Denbighshire outfit to 7th. A narrow 1-0 win over bottom-side Lex was followed by three defeats on the spin, putting the promotion chasers seven adrift of the playoff spot and 15 behind leaders and local rivals Llanuwchllyn. Tipped to challenge, they’ll need to regroup quickly if they’re to have any say come April.

Dolegllau and Kerry were right up there last season but so far have faded in mid-table – both on 16 points – and need to put a run together if they don’t want to be left behind, though Dolegllau have played less games than any other side. Radnor Valley have played more games than anyone else in 10th at 14, whilst Rhos Aelwyd and Llanfair United could do with picking up points to avoid a scrap with the bottom three. 

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Talking of the bottom three, Builth Wells currently occupy 14th, and after a couple of impressive seasons, are in danger early on. Having lost key players, it’s not easy, but the mid-Wales side knows that one win in ten can only trend downwards.

Builth do have a large gap though, ahead of the division’s bottom two sides who remain winless after 12 and 13 games respectively. Lex sit bottom with two points from their opening 13, having scored twice and conceded 17 in their last four league outings. Llangollen sit a point above and have also lost their last four games. To avoid any possible trouble at the end of the year and get out of the bottom three, they’ll need to reduce a deficit of 11 points to Llanfair in 13th. 

Scoring Boots

It’s Meilir Williams. You already knew that. He’s got 24 goals in just 13 games and is well on course to beat his record of 38 last season. Just an incredible forward for Llanuwchllyn and a big part of their promotion bid, he scored all three in their win over Corwen last weekend. 

Knighton’s Luke Boundford has 14 with the 37-year old rolling back the years for his side. 22 goals in as many games in the Central Wales League last term, the former Cymru Premier forward has been integral at the Showground. 

Zac Davies continues his scoring prowess by adding two more goals this month for Penycae to take his tally to 13 whilst Cefn Albion’s Alex Williams has 11.

Coming Up

This weekend all 16 sides are scheduled for action in the North East with the pick of the bunch coming at the Muga. A Wrexham-derby between two of the top four sees Cefn Albion welcome Penycae in a massive contest. Knighton head to Llanfair knowing a win for them and one of Cefn, Penycae or both dropping points would make for a solid weekend. 

With neither side recording a win this season the clash between Llangollen and Lex is intriguing. A pessimist would call this one a draw, but it’s a chance for one of them to record their first win and maybe mount a fightback after a difficult start. 

Continuing around the grounds, Builth Wells take on Corwen with both sides looking for an important win, 5th placed Bow Street take on 6th placed Llanrhaeadr away from home with both seeing it as a big opportunity to propel themselves into contention. 

Rhos Aelwyd take on Llandrindod and Dolgellau host Radnor Valley in the final two contests of the weekend. 

Main Image: Builth Wells/DRL Photography