Who are Grassroots North Wales’ Clwb y Mis – Club of the Month for December 2023?
Grassroots North Wales Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for the very first – but surely not last – time are CPD Y Rhyl 1879.
Gareth Thomas’ side will enter 2024 with an eight-point lead at the Tier 3 Ardal North West pinnacle after going 11 matches unbeaten in the league – 10 wins and a draw.
CLWB Y MIS – RHAGFYR 2023/CLUB OF THE MONTH DECEMBER 2023 – CPD Y RHYL 1879
Sunny Rhyl Sunny Rhyl, Sunny Rhyl
Sunny Rhyl Sunny Rhyl, Sunny Rhylllllllllll
Sunny Rhyl Sunny Rhyl, Sunny Rhyl
Sunny Rhyl, SUNNY RHYL! 🎵🎶🎶🎵😄😄
Rhyl won each of their three matches played in December – all at Belle Vue.
The fact these games went ahead during a particularly wet month leading to postponements here, there and everywhere, is a tribute to club groundsman and chairman Tom Jamieson.
This award is as much for him as anyone at CPD Y Rhyl 1879.
Rhyl had to work hard for all their victories this month.
On December 9, they edged past lowly but determined Bethesda Athletic 1-0 with a goal from James Cairns.
Next came an unforgettable FAW Trophy tie against Flint Mountain, which 1879 won 3-2 in a dramatic finish.
Trailing 2-1 after 85 minutes to a Mountain side which had won 4-1 at Belle Vue in the league four months earlier, the visitors suddenly lost their heads and had four players sent off.
Alex Jones converted a penalty and Oli Buckley plundered a 90th minute decider to send the hosts into the last 16.
Rhyl closed out the month with a 2-1 victory over Llanrwst United, Macauley Taylor’s double sealing another great three points.
CLOSE CONTENDERS
CORWEN
Cracking month for the North East Wales League Premier Division leaders.
On December 16, Jamie Hulse’s side made a massive statement regarding their title potential when they won 6-1 away to current nearest challengers Rhostyllen.
That made it played 8 won 8 for the Edeyrnion side, who also earned a great 4-3 victory at Caerwys in the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy during December.
LLANDUDNO JUNCTION
Three impressive wins for the Railwaymen in December.
They defeated Meliden 4-2 to progress in the Cookson Cup, then triumphed 4-2 at Llandyrnog United and 4-1 over Abergele in the Tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division, where they sit third, level on points with leaders Cerrigydrudion and second-place Penmaenmawr.
ST ASAPH CITY
Saints have been outstanding all year round – and December was no exception.
They finish 2023 second in Tier 3 Ardal North West, to where they were promoted at the end of last season.
The Roe Plas Meadows side have taken 7 out of a possible 9 points in the league this month, beating CPD Y Felinheli 4-2, Holyhead Hotspur 3-2 and they grabbed an excellent 2-2 draw at Llangefni Town.
PENYCAE
Took seven points out of a possible 9 in the Ardal North East League.
Recorded 3-1 wins over Rhos Aelwyd and Welshpool Town and held in-form Dolgellau AA 3-3.
The Wrexham area side did not win a league game in their first 9 attempts, but since November 18 they have taken 13 points from an available 15.
RHYDYMWYN
Three wins from as many games for resurgent Rhyd during December.
They whipped CPD Sychdyn 7-0 in the Tier 5 North East Wales League Championship, then picked up victories in the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy, 4-1 at CPD Yr Wyddgrug and then a really eye-catching 2-0 success at fellow division high-flyers FC Plas Madoc
CLWB Y MIS/CLUB OF THE MONTH
2023-24
December 2023 – CPD Y Rhyl 1879
November 2023 – Llandudno
October 2023 – Flint Mountain
September 2023 – Menai Bridge Tigers
July/August 2023 – NFA
2022-23
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
April – FC Queen’s Park
May – St Asaph City