As we reach Christmas the Ardal North West has certainly taken shape with sides across the division knowing exactly what’s to play for come the second half of the campaign. 

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.

The last month couldn’t have gone any better for league leaders Bangor City 1876 who have opened a four point lead at the summit. Michael Johnston’s side have not only took control of the North-West but also bagged a place in the Quarter-Final of the JD Welsh Cup and FAW Amateur Trophy. 

Unbeaten in all competitions, Bangor overcame Cymru South side Trefelin to book their spot in the Quarters of the Welsh Cup and last weekend dispatched of Llanrwst. It’s shaping to be a historic season in Gwynedd. 

Porthmadog appear to be the only side at the moment capable of toppling the leaders. Four points adrift, their last league game came at the beginning of December where they fell to their second defeat of the campaign against Trearddur Bay. After finally bowing out of the Welsh Cup against Rhyl, they can focus fully on the league for the remainder of the campaign, which could be an advantage. 

Chasing the Top 

Llay Welfare’s slow start to the season has been rectified recently with three wins on the spin, taking them up to third. Five points off of Porthmadog in second, the Welly will need to maintain that sort of form, which has seen them go unbeaten in the league since mid-September.

Prestatyn trail Llay on goal difference and have dropped off with back-to-back defeats against Felinheli and Llay in the league and four losses in theri last six. They will, however, be pleased with progressing to the last eight of the Amateur Trophy. 

Elsewhere, Llangefni have dropped down to fifth having failed to win in their last three whilst Trearddur Bay have been dealt a huge blow, being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player. They’d be third in the table without the sanction. 

Finally, NFA and Bethesda Athletic complete the top half of the table. NFA could put themselves in the mix where a win could drive them up into the top three, whilst Bethesda – back in the third tier – have been excellent and look to be securing their place in the league after an up and down couple of years. 

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Need to Get Going

A gap has began to form now between the top and bottom eight in the division, and surprise strugglers Llanrwst United and Llannefydd will be desperate to bridge the gap. Llannefydd do have three games in hand over Bethesda above them but with patchy form need to find some consistency. Last weekend’s 7-3 win over Pwllheli went a long way towards achieving that. 

With the bottom two sides possibly in danger come May, both St Asaph and Penmaenmawr find themselves in trouble. Bottom side Saints recorded their first win of the season but have since lost three on the bounce. Having been docked points at the beginning of the year, they sit on just two and nine points adrift of Felinheli in 14th. 

Penmaenmawr have been finding points in recent games, losing just once in their last six games. Back in tier three, the side will be desperately hoping they can extend their stay and recent games suggests they’ll be well up for the battle. 

Pwllheli sit three points above the bottom two whilst Mynydd Isa are one place above them with a further two points to the good, Connah’s Quay remain 11th in a disappointing regression from last term. 

Scoring Boots

Bethesda’s good fortunes this season have often been delivered by star forward Osian Hughes, who has taken outright lead in the golden boot battle. The 24-year old has 12 goals in 14 games and leads the way. 

Behind him in point second are two familiar names in Bangor’s Corrig McGonigle and Trearddur Bay’s Tom Hilditch on 11. 

Meanwhile Byron Davis (Felinheli), Jonathan Collo (Llay) and Callum Parry (Llanrwst) all have ten for the year. 

Coming Up

Just one game remains this calendar year in the Ardal North-West where Porthmadog take on Pwllheli at Y Traeth on December 27th. 

It’s followed up by a full slate of fixtures on January 3rd. Highlights include Prestatyn playing host to Bangor, Bethesda taking on Llangefni and Penmaenmawr face off with Llanrwst. 

January 3rd:

Bethesda Athletic v Llangefni Town

Trearddur Bay v Pwllheli

Felinheli v Llannefydd

Mynydd Isa v NFA

Penmaenmawr v Llanrwst United

Porthmadog v Connah’s Quay Town

Prestatyn Town v Bangor City 1876

St Asaph City v Llay Miners Welfare