Ardal Northern – good wins for CPD Y Rhyl 1879, St Asaph and Penycae

ARDAL NORTHERN REPORTS – DECEMBER 30

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2 Llanrwst United 1

Macauley Taylor’s first half double was enough to ensure Rhyl 1879 will enter 2024 with an eight-point lead at the Ardal North West summit.

The Lilywhites made it 11 matches unbeaten – 10 wins – with a hard-earned victory over a determined Llanrwst side looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat.

While the majority of ANW matches were called off due to the weather, 1879 chairman and chief groundsman Tom Jamieson’s ever-tremendous efforts made sure Belle Vue was fit for play.

And the hosts could not have started better, Taylor’s third-minute rocket flying into the top corner for 1-0.

In the 33rd minute Taylor struck again, lashing high into the net from the edge of the box.

Llanrwst were far from finished, and on 68 minutes they pulled a goal back through Sion Roberts.

It got tougher for 1879 when they had Casey Faulkner dismissed on 71 for a second yellow card, but the hosts held on for the points.

Credit to Llanrwst, also, for giving their all and making the Lilywhites work hard for the victory.

The Rwsters always manage to raise their game against Rhyl and today was no exception.

St Asaph City 3 Holyhead Hotspur 2

Second-place Saints came out on top at Roe Plas Meadows in a hard-fought contest against a Holyhead outfit in good form of late.

The visitors took a 12th minute lead when a long ball over the Asaph defence released Cory Williams, who rounded keeper Guto Hughes before finding the net.

St Asaph equalised on 16 minutes direct from a corner, the goal listed as an OG against keeper Hughes.

Before the break James Williams set up Ryan Potts to make it 2-1 Saints.

The second half turned into a great contest, Hotspur equalising on 68 when an inswinging corner was headed down by Alex Jones and Tomos Owen scored from an overhead kick.

Another corner led to the home team’s 77th minute winner, recorded as a Harry Lewis own goal.

Promoted Saints will be delighted to end the year in second spot.

They have had a magnificent 2023, which included a Tier 4 treble of North Wales Coast East Premier Division title, NWCFA Intermediate Cup and Cookson Cup as well as an all-time North Wales record 18-0 Welsh Cup victory.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST

Penycae 3 CPD Rhos Aelwyd 1

The only match of the day in Ardal North East brought an excellent victory for Penycae, who have taken 13 points from a possible last 15.

It is now five matches undefeated for the Riverside outfit, who are up to ninth in the table, level on points with Rhos who are one place higher on goal difference.

Callum Smith gave Penycae a 20th minute lead, but there were no further goals until the 65th when Austin Owen made it 2-0.

Substitute Ian Hughes pulled one back for Rhos after 80 before Owen sealed it with Penycae’s third.