Ardal North West – look ahead to tonight’s big clash and a review of weekend action

ARDAL NORTH WEST – PREVIEW AND WEEKEND REPORTS

PREVIEW: TUESDAY – MARCH 28 (7.30 pm)

Denbigh Town v Llay Welfare

Denbigh can move up to third place in the tier 3 Ardal North West this evening with a win over Llay.

Town are on a tremendous 13-match winning run in all competitions, nine of those coming in the league, while Dewi Llion’s side have also reached the FAW Trophy Final in that amazing streak of victories.

Tonight’s opponents Llay are a very useful outfit, currently lying sixth in the table. They lost 2-1 at Denbigh in the League Cup in November.

This evening’s league game will be Town’s fourth in 10 days.

Meanwhile, the reds kept their fine form going on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 result at Nantlle Vale.

Nantlle Vale 0 Denbigh Town 1
Report: Iwan Jones

After a cagey start from both teams, Town’s Nathan Brown hit a venomous shot that keeper Owain Roberts tipped onto the crossbar and to safety

Nantlle set themselves up well to stop Denbigh’s recent rich vein of high scoring wins.

The visitors earned three corners in quick succession, but the Vale defence remained strong with centre back pairing Richard Jones and Sion Alun Jones proving solid throughout.

Brown had two chances minutes apart, but each time home defenders threw themselves in front of the ball to block or deflect his attempts. .

Just on the stroke of half-time, striker Matthew Worrall cut inside from the byline to fire from 10 yards, but once again his shot was deflected away.

The third minute of the second half saw Nantlle’s first real attempt on goal with Town’s Aaron Jones forced into making a brilliant stop from Jamie Thomas.

On 55 minutes Town full back Ben Lockley let fly a screamer that keeper Roberts finger tipped over.

The deadlock was broken a minute later when Brown took an inswinging corner that resulted in a goalmouth scramble before Paul Fleming was able to score from close range.

Vale responded but Town defended well.

Jake Walker replaced Sam Haddon as Denbigh looked to have more firepower up front. It looked to have immediately paid off as Fleming broke through to fire into the net only for referee Parry to decide the Town skipper had handled the ball in the build up.

Town had two strong penalty claims turned down before Vale produced a strong finish.

Thankfully Aaron Jones was in top form, denying Alwyn Roberts in a one on one. The keeper also stood firm with a brilliant stop from Roberts’ close range shot.

Denbigh dropped deeper and deeper as the final whistle approached and were able to withstand the Vale threat.

Nevertheless, it was a relief when the final whistle blew to give the away side the three points .

SATURDAY’S REPORTS – MARCH 26

CPD Y Felinheli 2 Llay Welfare 2

Quite a game at Cae Seilo saw both sides take a point and end up with 10 men apiece.

Guto Hughes handed Felinheli a 21st minute lead before Ryan Dacey levelled on 34.

Three minutes into the second half, the in-form Gruff John put the hosts 2-1 up.

When Llay had Jared Taylor red-carded on 86 minutes it looked grim for the visitors, but on 89 Welfare managed to equalise through Kian Turton.

Deep into added time, the home side’s Josh Swindell was shown a second yellow.

Flint Mountain 2 Brickfield Rangers 0

Sam Jones and Ben Brierley grabbed the goals which ensured Mountain boosted their unbeaten league run to 10 matches.

Jones broke the deadlock on 33 and Brierley doubled the advantage after 66 for Aden Shannon’s men.

Hawarden Rangers 1 Llandudno Albion 2

Emotional scenes at the Gladstone as the non-stop battlers of Llandudno Albion won the game with Stephen Cheung’s decider four minutes into added time.

It was a first league win in six attempts for Albion, who will sadly fold at the end of the campaign.

After a goalless first half, James Ratcliffe put Rangers one-up on 69 minutes but Adam Hold made it all-square again after 73.

Then came Cheung’s magic moment. The match-winner hails from the family which has been a rock and a mainstay of Llandudno Albion from the very start.

Rhostyllen 0 Llanrwst United 1

Chris Nicolson’s 73rd minute goal was enough seal Llanrwst’s first league victory in 10 matches.

Bangor 1876 5 Saltney Town 4

This report will appear separately on Grassroots North Wales.

Llangefni Town 1 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2

This report will appear separately