Who are the Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for January 2024? It was our hardest choice yet
Choosing the Grassroots North Wales Clwb y Mis/Club of the Month for January 2024 has been our hardest decision so far.
So many outstanding teams, cut down to two just a little more magnificent than the rest, and then we couldn’t separate the final pair.
In the end, I asked a panel of three football figures from different areas of North Wales to select a winner for me.
The result is (by a split decision of 2-1): CPD Pwllheli of Tier 3 Ardal North West, are Clwb y Mis for Ionawr 2024. with Kinmel Bay from Tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier a very close runner-up.
CLWB Y MIS/CLUB OF THE MONTH – IONAWR 2024/JANUARY 2024
CPD Pwllheli
Pwllheli have shot up to fourth in Ardal North West on the back of four straight wins in January.
They kicked off with a dramatic 2-1 home victory against Holyhead Hotspur on January 6, secured by a 90th minute decider from Steffan Toplis.
Seven days later Pwllheli really shook up the league with a 3-0 home success over leaders CPD Y Rhyl 1879, Ashley Ainsworth (2) and Carl Jones sharing the goals.
Next was a 4-2 result at bottom side Hawarden Rangers, Josua Jones (2), Toplis and Ainsworth’s 96th minute strike clinching a hard-fought contest.
Another high-flying side to perish at Pwll were Llangefni Town on January 27, the hosts winning 3-1 with goals via Ainsworth, Toplis and Marcus Banks.
January results
Llangefni Town (h) 3-1
Hawarden Rangers (a) 4-2
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 (h) 3-0
Holyhead Hotspur (h) 2-1
YN AIL/RUNNER-UP
Kinmel Bay
Despite losing pivotal figure Anthony Jones during the January transfer window, Kinmel Bay chalked up four wins in a row over the month, scoring 15 goals in the process.
Three victories came in the league against top sides, nine points out of nine lifting Bay up to fourth.
They turned over Llandudno Junction 5-3, Ollie Gray, Mason Richards, Connor Morris, Paddy Hamid and Daniel Roberts scoring one apiece, before edging a 2-1 verdict at Llansannan in the Cookson Cup, Ben Cawley netting both.
Next came a really impressive 4-1 win at past leaders Penmaenmawr Phoenix, Leon Bower, Connor Morris and 17-year-old Owain Roberts (2) splitting the goals.
This led to the match of the season so far, and an amazing result for Kinmel Bay as they beat long-time undefeated NFA 4-3 despite finishing with nine men.
Bay scored twice in added time, through Morris and new signing Ste Falvey, to snatch the most dramatic of victories. Morris and Jordan Bellham provided the other goals.
January results
NFA 4-3 (h)
Penmaenmawr 4-1 (a)
Llansannan 2-1 (a)
Llandudno Junction 5-3 (h)
OTHER CONTENDERS
CPD Y Glannau
Perfect January for Y Glannau, winning four out of four and amassing 24 goals.
Best of the bunch was a stunning 3-2 result at North Wales Coast East Division One leaders Llandudno Amateurs, while further joy came at home against Rhyl All Stars 7-1, Prestatyn Wanderers 10-1 and Llysfaen 4-1
Mold Alexandra
Fourth-place in Tier 2 Cymru North, Mold are on a tremendous run, rounding off January by reaching the WBS League Cup final, caning Denbigh Town 5-1 in the semi.
Other January wins (league): Porthmadog (a) 2-1, Llanidloes (h) 4-1, Llandudno (a) 2-1.
Holywell Town
Bang in the Cymru North title race entering 2024, Holywell were another club to win every game in January.
Results (all league): Gresford (h) 4-1, Bangor 1876 (h) 2-1, Gresford (a) 3-0, Chirk (a) 2-0.
CLWB Y MIS/CLUB OF THE MONTH
2023-24
January 2024 – CPD Pwllheli
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