Northern Football Preview, 28th/29th October

CYMRU NORTH

The weekend starts with two tricky encounters to predict on Friday night.

Prestatyn Town, who have won their last three home games and are up to fourth in the table, travel to Holyhead Hotspur, the league’s draw specialists with five split verdicts from their eight matches.

Hotspur are especially tough to beat at home, while Town have lost their last three on the road.

The form book points to a draw.

Third-place Llandudno should have the beating of fourth-bottom Chirk AAA in a match switched to Nantporth, Bangor (8 pm kick-off), due to the OPS Wind Arena being considered unfit for play.

Tudno will have no issues performing on 3G as this is their regular home surface and Sean Eardley’s side have looked outstanding in back-to-back away wins following a sticky spell.

Chirk have already proved stubborn opponents this term, with four draws on their record. If Llandudno are below par, the Colliers can make them pay.

Confidence is high in the Seasiders camp, though, and they should take the spoils.

Saturday’s line-up includes unbeaten leaders Colwyn Bay welcoming Ruthin Town to the Four Crosses Construction Arena.

Despite trailing 1-0 and 2-1 at Guilsfield last weekend, the Bay proved yet again they are made of stern stuff, recovering to win 3-2.

They will meet an always difficult proposition in Ruthin, who will be anxious to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Prestatyn.

Dark horses Town are capable of springing a surprise, but at home the Seagulls can fly to another victory.

Can joint table-toppers Holywell Town make it nine straight wins when Mold Alexandra visit the Achieve More Training Stadium?

Nothing is beyond Johnny Haseldin’s men as they proved when recovering from two-down to pip Porthmadog 3-2 away last Saturday.

Top-scorer Dave Forbes, sent off in that game at Y Traeth, will be suspended this weekend, but the Wellmen have the strength in depth to cope against a Mold outfit without a win in four. Home victory.

Buckley Town are on a four-game losing streak ahead of hosting Gresford Athletic, who hauled themselves off the bottom by beating Cefn Druids last time out.

Gresford could build on that 2-1 result, but a draw seems likeliest.
Expect Cefn Druids to produce a positive response to that Gresford reverse with a home success over Penrhyncoch, while in-form Conwy Borough can extend their run to six unbeaten at home to smarting Porthmadog, but might have to settle for a draw.
Guilsfield v Llanidloes Town is another hard one to forecast with both sides having a somewhat Jekyll and Hyde campaign so far. Hosts Guils should edge it.

SCORECASTS

Friday

Holyhead Hotspur	2	2	Prestatyn Town
Llandudno	3	1	Chirk AAA

Saturday

Buckley Town	1	1	Gresford Athletic
Cefn Druids	4	1	Penrhyncoch
Colwyn Bay	2	0	Ruthin Town
Conwy Borough	3	3	Porthmadog
Guilsfield	3	2	Llanidloes Town
Holywell Town	2	1	Mold Alexandra

ARDAL NORTHERN

NORTH EAST

Just four matches in Ardal North East and three in North West due to many clubs being involved in the FAW Amateur Trophy this weekend.

A somewhat unpredictable Cefn Albion can regain top spot in North East if they see off Builth Wells at Clywedog Park.

Currently seeking a new manager after Ian Andrews stepped down due to work duties, Albion are in a slightly unsettled period, but their spirit can never be doubted and they should have enough firepower to outscore Builth.

Corwen will be anxious to wipe out the memories of last weekend’s nightmare 7-0 defeat at home to Llandrindod Wells, but might find their visit to Dolgellau a little too demanding so soon after that difficult experience. Home win.

Llangollen Town v Llanuwchllyn is a ‘pick ’em’ clash between two sides struggling for consistency and we might well see a draw at Tower Field.

Penycae will be on a high after ending league leaders Llanfair United’s unbeaten record last weekend. Expect the Wrexham area side to be too strong for basement boys Llanrhaeadr.

SCORECASTS

Cefn Albion	3	2	Builth Wells
Dolgellau AA	2	0	Corwen
Llangollen Town	2	2	Llanuwchllyn
Penycae	4	1	Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant

NORTH WEST

In Ardal North West, Flint Mountain can build on their great win at Bodedern last weekend with another comfortable success over Hawarden.

An Anglesey derby sees Bodedern aiming for a double over a Llangefni Town outfit they beat 4-1 at home in August.

Llangefni will be boosted by last Saturday’s excellent 2-2 against the odds draw at high-flyers Denbigh, though.

Cefni are one off the basement with just a single win in seven starts, but once it falls into place for them one senses they could go on a handy run.

Will goalkeeper Steve Sinclair, stretchered off against Denbigh after just five minutes, be back, or might Cameron Jones, who stepped in so admirably at Central Park, stand in again?

With Athletic’s recent erratic form, this might end up a home win.

Bottom team Rhostyllen are still without a win, and may be kept hanging on for another week at least when they visit a Llanrwst side which triumphed handily at Y Felinheli last time out.

SCORECASTS