Grassroots North Wales picks 10 special games from 2023 which we either attended or were told about in detail by our excellent club correspondents.
A high quality classic at the Essity Stadium in March proved pivotal in 1876’s quest to win a third successive promotion.
Mountain led 2-1 at half time, goals from Sam Molyneux and Frankie Antoine putting them two-up before Jamie Petrie replied.
In the second half, the hosts dominated for long spells and could have been out of sight before 1876 produced a late twist to win with a Liam Morris double.
This result featured in a nine-match end-of-season winning run for Bangor which eventually earned them promotion to the Cymru North.
While the scoreline suggests this might have been a one-sided final at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor, that was certainly not the case.
Abergele won handily enough to complete a momentous treble, but the Amateurs played some great football and matched their opponents in most departments except finishing.
Jack Hoult struck twice for the winners, Frankie Hennigan and Dom Holland adding singles on a gorgeous afternoon which produced tremendous Tier 5 entertainment.
Denbigh made it five wins on the bounce with a whopping 6-5 victory to smash the record for most goals ever in a JD Cymru North match.
A brace from Nathan Brown and Matthew Worrall alongside goals for Ryan Kershaw and Craig Pritchard sealed the win in one of the most spectacular games ever seen at Central Park.
There were six goals in the opening 20 minutes and it was 3-3 at the break.
The teams were pretty much inseparable throughout, with the scoreline standing at 5-5 before Pritchard bagged a 72nd minute winner.
Bucks replied through Asa Hamilton (2), Ben Lockley OG, Liam Driscoll and Connor Littler.
Goals were always going to be on the menu when two of North Wales’ finest were up against each other – Asa Thomas of Trearddur Bay and Llanrug’s Jamie McDaid.
Thomas netted four times and McDaid twice in a 10-goal thriller.
It was 3-3 at the interval and Bay were only able to fully grab the upper hand in the second half.
Coby Doutch added a double for Bay, with Osian Williams matching team-mate McDaid by bagging a brace.
Two teams which battled it out tooth-and-nail for the Championship Division title the previous season – Ruabon finishing top on goal difference – produced an opening day corker at the higher level, Caerwys also having won promotion.
On August 12, Ruabon raced into a 3-0 lead, Caerwys pulled it back to 3-2, Rovers went 4-2 up, but the hosts netted twice in first half added time to make it four-apiece at the break.
Ruabon nudged ahead once more early in the second half, but Daniel Sands’ men restored parity on 68 minutes and the goal glut was over.
Scorers: Caerwys – Matt Gilsenan (2), Kieron Day, Jack Griffiths and Adam Woosey; Ruabon – Josh Hughes 2, Chris Bennion, Conner Kendrick and Jimmy Jones.
A huge crowd at a sun-baked Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn, witnessed a tremendous play-off final between two attack-minded sides.
Corrig McGonigle (2, 1 pen), Tom Clarke and Liam Morris shared the goals which clinched a third promotion on the bounce for 1876 – their latest elevation taking them into Tier 2 JD Cymru North.
Cefn Albion put up a great battle. Trailing 2-0 with five minutes left, Ryan Kershaw and a Ryan Kehoe penalty forced extra time.
But Bangor’s fervent fans created an amazing atmosphere to carry their team to victory in the extra half-hour.
Anyone watching this game at Belle Vue at the start of the season may have found it hard to believe that four months later Rhyl 1879 would be leading the Ardal North West table by eight points while Flint Mountain are down in 10th.
While the first meeting of 2023-24 between these teams was a great game of football, there is no doubt that Mountain were much the better side and good value for their win.
A wonder strike from halfway by Sam Molyneux and a deadly Mike Hayes finish put the visitors two in front before Adam Hold replied close to the break.
All to play for in the second half, but it was Mountain who took command, Corey Smart and Taylor Edwards giving them an unassailable lead.
Since this result Rhyl 1879 have not lost in the league, going 10 unbeaten with nine wins and a draw.
And the Lilywhites got revenge for the Augist reverse by knocking Mountain out of the FAW Trophy in December.
There are plenty of thrilling games on offer in Tier 5.
Rhos led 4-1 at half time, Richard Beardmore, Tommy Edwards, Phemmy Allison and Jordan Dixon on target, Harry Payne replying.
The visitors looked to be well on their way to victory, but Henllan rallied big style after the break, Lewis Roberts plundering a hat-trick with goals on 49, 59 and 68 minutes before Payne completed a remarkable turnaround by making it 5-4 to the hosts after 70.
There was to be one final twist, and 82nd minute own goal from Wil Clayton earning Rhos a point.
These teams have both impressed in the Tier 4 Premier during 2023.
In September, they shared a 10-goal cracker at The Mine.
A sixth straight win in all competitions ensured Meliden hit top spot.
Lucas Edwards, Tom Wickerson and Frankie Davies scored two goals apiece – in single file – with the latter’s 90th minute strike finally sealing it for the hosts.
Goals from Dan Roberts (2), Mathew Jones (penalty) and Rob Gore kept the Railwaymen in the contest right till the end.
In a topsy-turvy thriller, Gronant needed two late goals to secure their ninth victory on the bounce.
Overton, much improved this season, led 4-3 after 80 minutes, Mark Matthews and James Parry both with two, Kallum Pierce, Dylan Taylor and Steven Kirk replying for the visitors.
A Gyorgy Szabo goal and an Aidan Bell penalty, the latter in the 91st minute, made sure of an away triumph, but what a battle!
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