FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2023
JD CYMRU NORTH (7.30 pm)
Denbigh Town v Airbus UK Broughton
Prestatyn Town v Holywell Town
Ruthin Town v Bangor 1876
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP ROUND ONE (7.45 pm)
Conwy Borough v St Asaph City
Flint Mountain v CPD Llannefydd
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023
JD CYMRU NORTH (2.30 pm)
Flint Town United v Caersws
Gresford Athletic v Porthmadog
Llandudno v Guilsfield
Llanidloes Town v Buckley Town
Mold Alexandra v Chirk AAA
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP ROUND ONE (2,30 pm unless stated)
Bow Street v Radnor Valley (1.30 pm)
Bethesda Athletic v Llangefni Town
Builth Wells v Penycae
Cefn Albion v Dolgellau AA
Hawarden Rangers v CPD Y Felinheli
Holyhead Hotspur v Brickfield Rangers
Llanfair United v Llandrindod Wells
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant v Penrhyncoch
Llanuwchllyn v Llansantffraid Village
Llay Welfare v CPD Y Rhyl 1879
CPD Pwllheli v Nantlle Vale
Rhos Aelwyd v Welshpool Town
CYMRU NORTH
Three potential crackers are on the agenda for Friday night in the Cymru North.
Airbus UK Broughton, leaders with a 100 percent record of five straight wins, could face quite a test at improving Denbigh Town, winners of their last two, the latest a 6-2 away thrashing of Buckley in the WBS League Cup.
If Denbigh are firing on all cylinders, it could spell the end of the Wingmakers’ perfect start.
Another team with a spotless log under threat is Holywell Town, who travel to in-form Prestatyn Town.
The Wellmen slipped up at Mold last weekend in the League Cup and it could get difficult for them at Bastion Gardens, with the Seasiders buoyant after back-to-back 4-1 away wins.
With a good crowd expected, this one could end up very close.
After three straight losses Bangor 1876 can expect another tricky hurdle at Ruthin Town.
Michael Johnston’s promoted side won their first three league encounters, but have since been beaten at Mold and by visitors Prestatyn before losing to Guilsfield in the League Cup last weekend.
Ruthin are a stubborn outfit who have yet to win at home in the league and this latest battle has the makings of a draw.
On to Saturday and a really mouthwatering tussle between Flint Town United and Caersws at the Essity Stadium.
Fourth hosts third, with both clubs on 10 points. Caersws have lost just the once, while Flint are undefeated.
With home advantage, my leaning is towards the Silkmen, who really showed their mettle with a 4-3 victory at Airbus in the cup last weekend.
Gresford Athletic and Porthmadog both lost badly at home in the League Cup and will be anxious to attain a positive result when they meet at The Rock.
The Colliers can just shade this one.
Llanidloes Town will be boosted by knocking Caersws out of the League Cup last weekend, while Buckley Town may still be smarting after a 6-2 home exit at the hands of Denbigh.
This could end up an even contest.
Llandudno got off the mark at last when they beat Chirk AAA 1-0 in the League Cup, but now the Seasiders need league points at home to Guilsfield, the most awkward of opponents on their day.
The best I can see for Tudno is a point, although their performances overall have been consistently good.
Guilsfield played really well in their cup win at Bangor 1876 last Saturday and they can take confidence from that.
Mold Alexandra have been impressive at Alyn Park this season and they should have what it takes to overcome the challenge of visitors Chirk.
SCORECASTS
Denbigh Town 2 Airbus UK Broughton 1
Prestatyn Town 1 Holywell Town 1
Ruthin Town 1 Bangor 1876 1
Flint Town United 3 Caersws 1
Gresford Athletic 2 Porthmadog 1
Llandudno 1 Guilsfield 2
Llanidloes Town 2 Buckley Town 1
Mold Alexandra 3 Chirk AAA 1
LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP ROUND ONE
A total of 14 ties in the Ardal Northern League Cup and if the spate of unpredictable early season results continue to show we might end up with a surprise or two.
Two matches will be decided on Friday evening.
Tier 3 new boys St Asaph City are already showing an ability to grind out wins and they can do this at Conwy, who scored eight at Bethesda in the league last weekend, but conceded five.
Flint Mountain should have the firepower to knock out Llannefydd at the Essity.
Saturday sees Ardal North East leaders Bow Street welcome Radnor Valley to Cae Piod where a home win looks likely. Bow have played 5, won 5 so far.
Bethesda Athletic have already lost at home to Ardal North West table-toppers Llangefni Town in the league, and the form book suggests the Anglesey aces will triumph again.
Builth Wells versus Penycae has the look of a home win, as does Cefn Albion against Dolgellau AA.
Hawarden Rangers have already lost 1-0 at CPD Y Felinheli in league combat this term, and the Cae Seilo side appear a good shout to pick up another positive result, this time at Gladstone Playing Fields, in the League Cup.
Holyhead Hotspur can eliminate Brickfield Rangers quite comfortably at the New Stadium if they are on best form, but it could be tighter at Mount Field where Llanfair United lock horns with Llandrindod Wells.
After losing their unbeaten league record last weekend, Ardal North East high-flyers Penrhyncoch can get back on track in the cup at Llanrhaeadr.
Llanuwchllyn versus Llansantffraid Village could go either way. Playing at home and unbeaten so far this season, Llanuwchllyn should edge a barnstormer.
Hard to bet against Rhyl 1879 at this level, but opponents Llay Welfare will be going all out to upset the odds this weekend, and being unbeaten at home could cause a mini-surprise.
While Nantlle Vale have started the season extremely well, Pwllheli can gain revenge for a 4-2 defeat at Maes Dulyn in the league last month.
If there are to be upsets, Llay and Pwllheli have live chances in my book.
Far more easy to predict is a home win for Rhos Aelwyd over struggling Welshpool Town.
SCORECASTS
Conwy Borough 1 St Asaph City 2
Flint Mountain 4 CPD Llannefydd 1
Bow Street 2 Radnor Valley 0
Bethesda Athletic 1 Llangefni Town 3
Builth Wells 2 Penycae 0
Cefn Albion 3 Dolgellau AA 0
Hawarden Rangers 2 CPD Y Felinheli 3
Holyhead Hotspur 4 Brickfield Rangers 1
Llanfair United 2 Llandrindod Wells 1
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant 1 Penrhyncoch 3
Llanuwchllyn 3 Llansantffraid Village 2
Llay Welfare 2 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1
CPD Pwllheli 2 Nantlle Vale 1
Rhos Aelwyd 4 Welshpool Town 0
