FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
JD CYMRU NORTH (7.30 pm)
Ruthin Town v Porthmadog
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
JD CYMRU NORTH (2.30 pm)
Bangor 1876 v Airbus UK Broughton
Caersws v Guilsfield
Flint Town United v Buckley Town
Gresford Athletic v Denbigh Town
Holywell Town v Chirk AAA
Mold Alexandra v Llandudno
Prestatyn Town v Llanidloes Town
PREVIEWS
Ruthin Town will be anxious to avoid a third successive home loss in the JD Cymru North when they host Porthmadog on Friday night.
Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against nine-man Buckley Town at the Memorial Playing Fields was particularly painful for Phil Hudson’s men, who have now lost four on the bounce in all competitions.
Port, who are ninth in the table compared with Ruthin’s 11th, picked up a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Prestatyn Town last Saturday.
However, Craig Papirnyk’s charges have lost each of their last four meetings with Ruthin.
Saturday will see Bangor 1876 and Airbus UK Broughton clash for the first time.
The second-place Wingmakers went level on points with leaders Holywell Town last weekend, but will have been disappointed at being held 3-3 by visitors Caersws.
That was Airbus’ first draw of the season and they will be out to go one better against an 1876 outfit sitting 10th in the table after a mixed start to the campaign.
In their last outing, 1876 thrashed Cefn Albion 7-1 in the Welsh Cup, so Michael Johnson’s lads will be looking to build on that performance at Nantporth.
Caersws versus Guilsfield is a Powys derby which could go either way. Both sides are in the top eight and have 14 points apiece.
Guils are on a real high after four wins in a row, including a Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final penalties triumph over Prestatyn Town on Wednesday night.
Nathan Leonard’s team have won their last three tussles with Caersws, including a 3-1 success at the Recreation Ground in a Nathaniel MG Cup battle in July.
Nonetheless, the Bluebirds will be buoyed by last Saturday’s cracking 3-3 draw at high-flyers Airbus.
Victory over Buckley Town at the Essity Stadium on Saturday could send Flint Town United top of the Cymru North, depending on results elsewhere.
The third-place Silkmen are on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions and are one of just two CN teams yet to lose a game this term.
Buckley will have been lifted by last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 win at Ruthin Town, a game the Trotters ended with nine men. It was Bucks’ first league victory in seven attempts.
Anything can happen in a local derby, but the odds favour a Flint win.
Gresford Athletic suffered a 9-0 Nathaniel MG Cup tanning at the hands of Cymru Premier champions The New Saints in midweek, but no-one can touch the Park Hall side at present.
Far more impressive is the fact that before encountering the Saints, Athletic had won eight matches in succession.
On Saturday, Gresford will lock horns with Denbigh Town at The Rock.
Athletic boss Eddie Maurice-Jones will take on one of his former clubs. Denbigh are currently fifth in the league with Gresford seventh.
Town lost 1-0 at home to Gresford in a Nathaniel MG Cup tie in the opening week of the 2023-24 season.
Since then Denbigh have settled well on their return to Tier 2, winning six of their last eight matches.
This is a very hard one to predict. How will that hammering at TNS have affected Gresford?
Table-toppers Holywell Town look a great bet to extend this season’s undefeated league streak to nine matches when they host bottom side Chirk AAA at the Achieve More Stadium.
However, the Wellmen are coming off a shock 3-1 loss at Tier 3 Flint Mountain in the Welsh Cup a week ago. Johnny Haseldin’s side are renowned for their bouncebackability and that could spell bad news for the Colliers.
With eight straight wins on their slate, Mold Alexandra are another team in awesome form.
On Saturday, Mike Cunningham’s Flintshire dynamos welcome next-to-bottom Llandudno to Alyn Park.
Having won just one out of eight in the league, it promises to be a tough afternoon for Tudno, who nonetheless are well respected for their fighting qualities.
Fourth-from-bottom entertains the team immediately below when Prestatyn Town face the challenge of Llanidloes Town.
No doubt rocked by Wednesday’s Nathaniel MG Cup spot-kicks exit at Guilsfield, Karl Clair’s Prestatyn appear a good shout to turn the tables and add an entry into the W column at the expense of the Daffs.
SCORECASTS
Ruthin Town 3 Porthmadog 2
Bangor 1876 2 Airbus UK Broughton 2
Caersws 2 Guilsfield 2
Flint Town United 3 Buckley Town 0
Gresford Athletic 1 Denbigh Town 3
Holywell Town 4 Chirk AAA 0
Mold Alexandra 2 Llandudno 0
Prestatyn Town 3 Llanidloes Town 1
