CYMRU NORTH
Friday night sees the Welsh Blood Service League Cup take centre stage as Conwy Borough entertain Chirk AAA.
How will Chirk respond to last weekend’s heartbreaking Welsh Cup penalties defeat to The New Saints?
Unbeaten in seven and with four wins on the bounce, will Conwy’s growing confidence help them see off the Colliers?
Chirk beat Borough 1-0 at home in the Nathaniel MG Cup at the start of the season, but under new manager Anthony Weaver, the rejuvenated Tangerines might just hold the edge at Y Morfa.
Four league games on Saturday and Holywell Town can go level on points with leaders Colwyn Bay if they beat Llanidloes Town at the Achieve More Training Stadium.
With six league wins in succession, the Wellmen have to be fancied to make it seven at the expense of a Daffs outfit who have lost four in a row.
Llandudno are on a mini-slump having exited the Welsh Cup at Prestatyn Town last Saturday and being beaten at home by Porthmadog in their previous outing.
However, Tudno should have too much for bottom side Gresford Athletic at the OPS Wind Arena.
Cefn Druids and Buckley Town have identical records ahead of their meeting at The Rock.
Both sides have played 9 and are on 13 points. The status quo could well remain after Saturday with this one looking well set for a draw.
Prestatyn Town raised a few eyebrows with their great Welsh Cup victory against Llandudno last Saturday.
The Seasiders look a fair bet to carry on their winning form at home to Mold Alexandra, who are nonetheless three places above Town in the table. A high scoring draw could be the safest call here.
ARDAL NORTHERN
Ardal North East leaders Cefn Albion could be in for a tricky test when fifth-place Caersws visit Clywedog Park on Saturday.
The Cefners enjoyed a superb 3-0 win over fellow high-flyers Rhos Aelwyd last weekend, but ‘Sws are such awkward opponents.
They gave Cymru Premier visitors Flint Town United a real battle in the Welsh Cup before going out to an untidy penalty.
Definitely a big chance of a point at least for the visiting Bluebirds.
Rhos Aelwyd should bounce back from the Cefn setback when they host Corwen, who got off the mark last weekend with a first win in eight attempts, but it will be much harder for them at Ponciau Banks.
Llanfair United’s perfect record of six straight wins could be firmly tested at Llanuwchllyn, while Builth Wells v Bow Street may well finish up all-square.
In Ardal North West, CPD Y Rhyl 1879, winners of all four league matches so far, travel to Saltney Town, who were beaten 4-2 at home by Bangor 1876 last weekend.
Rhyl lost for the first time in 40 league and cup matches when they went down 2-0 at home to Ruthin Town in the Welsh Cup last Saturday.
A trip to Saltney is not a gimme by any means, in fact it should really test Gareth Thomas’ side’s character, but the Bordermen will have key players out through suspension. Rhyl can edge it.
Nantlle Vale can return to the summit with a home win against Llangefni Town, a team they beat 3-2 on Anglesey three weeks ago.
Let’s be daring with this one. Llangefni are one off the bottom, but have come close to upsetting the form book a couple of times lately and this could be a day the islanders might just get revenge and knock a previous dynamic Vale outfit out of their stride.
Rhostyllen can secure their first win at the ninth attempt at home to fellow strugglers Llandudno Albion, while Denbigh Town have a more than decent shout of taking maximum points at Hawarden Rangers.
Unbeaten Bangor 1876 should have the goal power to win a potential thriller versus Brickfield Rangers at Treborth.
