Who has been named the Grassroots North Wales Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for October?
Choosing the Grassroots North Wales Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for October was a very difficult task, but we’ve gone for JD Cymru North high-flyers HOLYWELL TOWN.
After picking up just a single point from their first three games, which included a 6-1 home loss to Colwyn Bay, some were predicting a grim season ahead for Johnny Haseldin’s side.
However, the Wellmen have gloriously turned the tables, with nine straight league wins earning them current joint leadership of the table with the Bay.
During October, the Flintshire outfit won all five matches, including league victories over Penrhyncoch and Llanidloes before recovering from 2-0 down to beat Porthmadog 3-2 at Y Traeth.
Haseldin’s men rounded off the month with a 2-0 success against Mold, having also reached the last 32 of the Welsh Cup thanks to a 5-0 away caning of Llanuwchllyn.
Holywell just edged the Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month vote, but there were so many close contenders.
They included:
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Six wins from as many starts for manager Neil Gibson during his birthday month of October.
In the Cymru Premier, the 2019-20 and 2020-21 champions are up to second following wins against Haverfordwest County (1-0), Cardiff Met University (2-0), Penybont (1-0) and Newtown (3-1).
Nomads also advanced 5-1 at Denbigh Town in the Welsh Cup and saw off Ruthin Town 2-0 to reach the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals.
Prestatyn Town
They began October with a narrow 2-1 loss at leaders Colwyn Bay, but since then Prestatyn have really picked themselves up with a tremendous 2-0 Welsh Cup win over Llandudno followed by three league victories in a row to lift themselves to fourth in Cymru North.
Chris Jones’ side are on a roll, triumphs against Mold Alexandra, Ruthin Town and Holyhead Hotspur really making the league sit up and take notice.
Colwyn Bay
A perfect month for the Cymru North leaders with five wins from five matches.
In the league, they defeated Prestatyn Town (2-1), Guilsfield (3-2) and Ruthin Town (4-1), while Holyhead Hotspur (3-0) and Bow Street (4-1) were beaten in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup and Welsh Cup respectively.
Bangor 1876
The ever-progressing fan-owned club continued to flourish in October with five out of five in the win stakes.
Llanystumdwy (10-0), Saltney Town (4-2), Brickfield Rangers (6-0) and Meliden (5-0) all perished in league and cups.
However, perhaps the best achievement for Michael Johnston’s men was a 2-1 success at CPD Y Rhyl 1879, where they ended the Belle Vue club’s 31-match unbeaten league record.
Llay Welfare
Great month for Llay as they ended October second in tier 3 Ardal North West and having progressed through two rounds of the FAW Trophy.
Caerwys
Just the one blip in October saw Daniel Sands’ team go down 2-0 at Lex XI in the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy.
No shame there with Lex being in the North East Wales Premier and ‘Wys a level below in the Championship.
Also in the Mike Beech, Caerwys registered big 9-0 and 8-0 group victories, while they did fantastic work in the league, winning 3-2 at both CPD Gronant and Ruabon Rovers.
The Flintshire side have strengthened their squad recently and look well set to challenge for trophies this term.
Bethesda Athletic
With their illustrious history, there is always a feelgood factor around North Wales football when Bethesda are doing well.
During October, they won four out of five with one draw and are top of the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division they were promoted to this season.
In the league, Pesda romped to a 7-1 success at Llanrug United, edged a 2-1 verdict at Amlwch and recovered from two down to draw with nearest challengers Talysarn Celts.
Meanwhile, in the FAW Trophy, they won 1-0 at Pwllheli before knocking out tier 3 Bow Street, conquerors of Bangor 1876 in the previous round, on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Trearddur Bay
Back in senior football this season after a short break, this tier 5 club are already making waves by eliminating higher standard teams from cup competitions.
In October, Bay knocked tier 4 sides Penmaenmawr Phoenix and Llannefydd out of the FAW Trophy and only narrowly lost 4-3 at Abergele in the NWCFA Junior Cup.
Nick Dumbarton’s men also defeated Llangoed and District and CPD Cefni in the league and sit third and unbeaten in North Wales Coast West Division One.
WHY HOLYWELL?
Any one of those mentioned above would have been worthy of Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for October, so why did we opt for Holywell Town?
What gave the Wellmen a slight edge over the others, in our opinion, is the amazing way they have rallied after such a poor start to the season.
The come-from-behind victory at Porthmadog was something very special, and despite a lot of hurdles being put in their way, Holywell keep finding ways to win.
This is just how we see it, others may view things differently, but one thing I am sure we can all agree on is there are numerous clubs performing out of their skins this season and that makes for some terrific entertainment.
ENNILLWYR CLWB Y MIS/CLUB OF THE MONTH WINNERS 2022-23
August
Talysarn Celts
September
FC Queen’s Park
October
Holywell Town