FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
JD CYMRU NORTH (7.30 pm)
Bangor 1876 v Gresford Athletic
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
JD CYMRU NORTH (2,30 pm)
Airbus UK v Ruthin Town
Buckley Town v Mold Alexandra
Chirk AAA v Flint Town United
Guilsfield v Prestatyn Town
Holywell Town v Caersws
Llanidloes Town v Llandudno
Porthmadog v Denbigh Town
ARDAL NORTH EAST (2.30 pm)
Penrhyncoch v Cefn Albion
ARDAL NORTH WEST (2.30 pm)
Brickfield Rangers v Holyhead Hotspur
Llanrwst United v Flint Mountain
PREVIEWS
JD CYMRU NORTH
Friday night kicks off a weekend of top class Cymru North action with Bangor 1876 entertaining Gresford Athletic at Nantporth Stadium.
Michael Johnston’s side will be out for revenge with 1876 having lost 3-0 at home to the Colliers in the Nathaniel MG Cup last month.
Gresford were very impressive that day, and despite failing to win in their next five, Eddie Maurice-Jones’ men have since recorded four victories in a row, three in cups.
After a lean spell, 1876 have won back to back encounters at Holyhead Hotspur in the Welsh Cup and then fought back from two-down at Caersws last weekend to triumph 3-2 and collect three vital league points.
Friday’s battle really could go either way and may well end up a high-scoring draw.
On Saturday, an Airbus side which made a flying start to the campaign will aim to end a run of three straight losses when they host Ruthin Town.
As well as suffering their first league defeat – 2-0 at Denbigh Town – the Wingmakers have also been knocked out of the WBS League Cup and NEWFA Challenge Cup by Flint Town United and Holywell Town respectively in recent weeks.
Ruthin have won four games in a row and sit seventh in the table with Airbus second.
On current form, Town have a more than decent chance of picking up something at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium. How will Airbus’ confidence be affected by recent losses?
Having won their last five matches, Mold Alex are really motoring in both the cups and league, rising to fourth spot.
Can Michael Cunningham’s men add another entry in the W column in Saturday’s local derby at Buckley Town, who are without a victory in six?
It should be a close one with local bragging rights at stake.
Chirk AAA are finding life tough in their second season back in tier 2, and it is likely to be a big ask for them to put a dent in third-place Flint Town United’s record.
Guilsfield lost for the first time in seven outings at Mold last weekend. Can the Powys men return to winning ways when they welcome Prestatyn Town?
After great wins at Bangor 1876 and Gresford Athletic, Prestatyn were whipped 4-0 at home by Holywell in their last league game. Guilsfield will be a tricky proposition.
Unbeaten leaders Holywell Town should be too strong for Caersws at the Achieve More Stadium, while the confidence Llandudno gained from their first league win of the season at home to Porthmadog last weekend should stand them in good stead at bottom side Llanidloes Town.
In-form Denbigh Town can expect a difficult hurdle at Porthmadog, but they should be good enough for a point at the very least.
SCORECASTS
Bangor 1876 2 Gresford Athletic 2
Airbus UK 1 Ruthin Town 2
Buckley Town 2 Mold Alexandra 3
Chirk AAA 1 Flint Town United 3
Guilsfield 1 Prestatyn Town 1
Holywell Town 3 Caersws 1
Llanidloes Town 1 Llandudno 2
Porthmadog 1 Denbigh Town 3
ARDAL NORTHERN
With most clubs involved in the FAW Amateur Trophy, Saturday brings just three matches in the Ardal Northern.
There should be a great battle in Ardal North East where third-place Penrnyncoch entertain Cefn Albion.
Both teams are expected to press for the title, but home advantage could be crucial in this one.
In Ardal North West, Brickfield Rangers host Holyhead Hotspur.
Both teams would welcome vital points, with Brickfield out for retribution after their recent 2-0 defeat at the New Stadium in the Ardal North League Cup.
Llanrwst United in fifth are home to sixth-place Flint Mountain.
The pair each have 11 points apiece from six games, with the Rwsters just ahead on goal difference.
Llanrwst are on a great run of seven matches unbeaten and if at their best they can claim a notable win against a Mountain outfit they lost to at home, but beat away last season.
Mountain have not lost in five and I’d expect them to get at least a point at Parc Gwydir.
SCORECASTS
Penrhyncoch 3 Cefn Albion 2
Brickfield Rangers 1 Holyhead Hotspur 1
Llanrwst United 1 Flint Mountain 2
