Six wins in a month – there can only be one Clwb y Mis for March 2023
DENBIGH TOWN are the Grassroots North Wales Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for March 2023.
Dewi Llion Jones’ tier 3 Ardal North West side are the first club to win the award twice.
During March, Denbigh won all six matches played, four in the league to keep themselves in title contention, as well as reaching the FAW Amateur Trophy Final with a stunning 8-1 demolition of Bridgend Street and getting to the Ardal North League Cup last four.
Town have won EVERY GAME played in 2023 so far – a run of 15 victories.
March 2023 results
Mar 3: Llanfair United (home – Ardal North League Cup) W 6-0
Mar 11: Bangor 1876 (away – Ardal North West League) W 2-0
Mar 18: Bridgend Street (neutral – FAW Trophy semi-final) W 8-1
Mar 22: Saltney Town (home – ANWL) W 5-2
Mar 25: Nantlle Vale (away – ANWL) W 1-0
Mar 28: Llay Welfare (home – ANWL) W 4-0
Other March contenders….
Holywell Town
Four straight league wins in March, the biggest no doubt a 3-1 triumph at Cymru North title favourites Colwyn Bay, a result which ended the Seagulls’ unbeaten league record at 26 matches – including 25 wins in a row.
During the month, the Wellmen also won league games against Conwy Borough (4-1), Penrhyncoch (5-0) and Chirk AAA (2-0).
Johnny Haseldin’s men made it 25 straight victories in the Cymru North when they won 2-1 at Prestatyn Town on Saturday (April 1).
CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Another team having a fantastic season.
In March, the Ardal North West leaders beat Llay Welfare (1-0 and 4-2), CPD Y Felinheli (2-1) and Llangefni Town (2-1).
Gareth Thomas’ side have won nine in a row in the league and are unbeaten in their last 13 – 12 wins, one draw away to Flint Mountain.
Many of Rhyl’s victories have been narrow – Saturday’s 2-1 success at Nantlle Vale (April 1) was another one – but that amazing team spirit keeps getting them over the line.
FC Queen’s Park
The Park had a fantastic March as a club.
Dave Evans’ first team reached the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy Final with a 2-1 win at New Brighton Villa and now take on Greenfield in the showpiece game on April 30.
They have also made the semis of the Horace Wynne Cup, which QP are current holders of, and will also lock horns with Greenfield in the last four of that competition on April 15.
To qualify for the penultimate stage, they got past Coedpoeth United 2-1.
During March, the firsts also whipped Greenfield 6-2 in the tier 4 North East Wales League Premier Division and are well in touch with the leading pack.
Unbeaten FC Queen’s Park Reserves lead their division, having defeated Coedpoeth United Reserves 6-1 and Llay Welfare 3rds 2-0 last month.
They are also into The Reserve Cup Final, having knocked out Mynydd Isa Spartans Reserves 2-0 in the last four. QP Reserves will meet either Greenfield Reserves or Lex XI Reserves in the final.
Not to be outdone, Queen’s Park Vets have reached their cup final after beating Mynydd Isa Vets in the semis at the weekend.
Three teams, three finals, one club. Wrexham AFC are not the city’s only stars. Grassroots matters too.
Abergele
Top of North Wales Coast East Division One and into two cup finals – you are doing fantastically well at a very competitive standard Abergele.
During March, Gele reached the NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup Final with a great 3-0 win over Bow FC. They will take on Llandudno Amateurs in the final next month at Nantporth, Bangor.
Abergele also overcame next Junior Cup opponents Llandudno Amateurs in the REM Jones Cup semi, winning 3-1. That sets up a final against CPD Y Glannau on April 29.
In the league, the reigning Division One champions defeated Henllan 6-0 and Rhyl All Stars 4-0.
Penmaenmawr Phoenix
Ever-improving Phoenix have to merit a mention for their March deeds.
After drawing 1-1 at Mochdre Sports, Pen went on to see off Kinmel Bay 5-1, Rhuddlan Town 3-2 and Llansannan 5-1 in the tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division.
And the Phoenix rose to third in the table after thrashing Llandyrnog United away 5-0 on Saturday (April 1).
The flames of the Phoenix are red-hot.
Trearddur Bay
Four cracking wins during March for Nick Dumbarton’s Anglesey aces.
They started off with a tremendous 3-1 victory over main rivals for the North Wales Coast West Division One title, Cemaes Bay.
This was followed by triumphs against Caergybi (5-1), Bontnewydd (3-0) and Holyhead Town (15-0).
During March, Bay’s prolific Asa Thomas became the first North Wales senior player to reach the 50 goals barrier for the 2022-23 season.
Asa also broke Tommy Welsh’s long-time North Wales coast record of 631 goals, set by the Holyhead Town legend in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Ruabon Rovers
We don’t normally include teams who have lost a game during a month, largely because there are nearly always so many great sides who have avoided a defeat.
However, we make an exception with Ruabon Rovers, who were knocked out of the NEWFA Challenge Cup 8-2 by Gresford Athletic on March 22.
Bear in mind Gresford are a tier 2 Cymru North club, while Ruabon operate in the tier 5 North East Wales League Championship division.
And the final score did not do justice to Ruabon, who played far better than the result may suggest.
Otherwise in March, Ruabon beat Overton Recreational 4-2 in the league and also advanced in two other cups.
Gareth Edwards’ men achieved a thrilling 10-9 win on penalties after a 5-5 draw against Premier Division Penyffordd Lions in the NEWFA Horace Wynne Cup and now tussle with Lex XI in the semis.
And Rovers also outgunned Acton 6-2 to reach the Two Counties Cup Final, where CPD Gronant await on May 12.
St Asaph City
In March, St Asaph reached the NWCFA Intermediate Cup Final with a 3-1 win after extra time against Kinmel Bay.
They were 1-0 down until the second minute of added time when Josh Brown’s penalty forced another half-hour.
In extra time, Ellis Blench and Daniel Williams struck to send Saints through. They will meet Menai Bridge Tigers in the final on May 20 at Penmaenmawr.
Asaph also reached the Cookson Cup Final with a 2-1 victory against Bro Cernyw, Ray Knight and Ryan Potts on target. In the final, Saints will come up against Prestatyn Sports at Denbigh Town on April 26.
Also during March, City defeated Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs 9-0 in the league and have an 11-point lead at the North Wales Coast East Premier Division summit. So a treble chance as we enter the closing weeks of 2022-23.
Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month winners 2022-23 season
August – Talysarn Celts
September – FC Queen’s Park
October – Holywell Town
November – Denbigh Town
December – Connah’s Quay Nomads
January – Colwyn Bay
February – Bow FC
March – Denbigh Town