CPD Y Rhyl 1879’s six-month hold on top spot in Ardal North West could end this week depending on Wednesday night results.
The Lilywhites have occupied the summit since beating Conwy Borough 3-1 at home last October 7, but patches of poor form have now left them vulnerable to be overtaken.
Gareth Thomas’ side hold a three-point lead at the peak, but have played four games more than second-place Flint Mountain.
On Wednesday, Rhyl are home to CPD Llannefydd, while Mountain travel to the bottom side Saltney Town.
Flint’s better goal difference of 14 means they could vault into first place if they defeat Saltney and 1879 lose to Llannefydd.
Since going top six months ago, Rhyl have picked up 35 points from a possible 57, disappointing results at times leading to Mountain and Llay Welfare in particular emerging as threats to their number one position.
Saturday saw the Lilywhites beaten at dangerous Llay, while Mountain triumphed 3-0 at Brickfield Rangers..
Bethesda Athletic v CPD Y Felinheli
Brickfield Rangers v Llay Welfare
Conwy Borough v Holyhead Hotspur
Hawarden Rangers v St Asaph City
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 v CPD Llannefydd
Saltney Town v Flint Mountain
Not just a defeat for Rhyl but also two bad injuries picked up on a day where everything went wrong for the leaders at The Ring.
The mood was totally different in the home camp as third-place Llay made it 10 unbeaten in the league with 26 points collected from a possible 30.
The two sides previously met back in October at Belle Vue where the Lilywhites won 2-0.
Saturday’s return saw Llay try to use the advantage of playing downhill from the outset. In the opening minute, Dean Bryan hit a spectacular shot rom 40 yards, forcing Ryan Woods to tip over for a corner.
The early pressure was mounting by the Welly, Woods again having to save from close range.
After 20 minutes the game was halted by referee John Jones following a bad head injury to Rhyl’s Chris Bennett.
This delayed the game as he was given medical attention by both physios. Following the lengthy stoppage, Bennett was taken to hospital and replaced by Sam Ashton.
After the injury the game settled down and 1879 started to threaten. Ashton was found free on the edge of the box and his strike saw Llay keeper Cameron Dutton punch the ball away for a corner.
James Cairns would have the best Lilywhites effort of the half when his wind-assisted cross hit the bar from 35 yards via the left.
Half-time: 0-0.
Three minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken.
Impressive Llay winger Ethan Simpson drew Ollie Staveley’s challenge just inside the box and the youngster went down – penalty.
Tom Wells sent Rhyl’s goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
On 52 minutes things went from bad to worse for the visitors when defender Miles Todd was adjudged to have kicked out and was shown a straight red.
Michael Wright had a chance to make it two when Rhyl struggled to clear but Woods was able to save.
As the game went on, it was all Rhyl possession but they lacked creativity, pressing and probing but Llay stood firm and never looked like conceding the equaliser.
Late on, Llay substiture Jared Taylor saw red for a bad challenge on Ashton which left the Rhyl replacement with a badly-injured knee and a trip to hospital was required.
After the game, Rhyl manager Gareth Thomas provided the following injury updates: “Chris has had his head wound glued up and will be out for the next few games.
“Sam has had bleeding from the cut and needs the swelling to go down before we know the impact of the injury.”
Victory at last for Felinheli, who climbed off the bottom as a first league win of 2024 saw them lose a three-goal lead only to plunder a late clincher
Having lost seven Ardal North West games in a row and picking up just a single point from a possible last 30, Euron Davies’ side badly needed a change of fortune.
And they got it, Iwan Owen notching a 94th minute decider much to the delight of the home fans.
Although Felin have struggled for wins this term, they did in fact complete a double over Boro having triumphed 2-1 at Y Morfa last August.
Saturday brought just a fourth victory in 21 league matches.
The hosts got off to a flyer, club record marksman Gruff John scoring after two and seven minutes respectively.
When Iwan Owen made it 3-0 in first-half added time, things looked very proimising for the reds.
However, Conwy launched a big fightback after the break, captain Harry Massey making it 3-1 with 46 gone before Toby Jones drew the Tangerines level wuth successful penalties on 52 and 70.
It looked like another disappointing afternoon for Felinheli until four minutes into stoppage time, Iwan Edwards set up Owen for the decider.
Clinical Pwllheli showed their hosts how to finish as goals from Carl Jones, Ashley Ainsworth and Josua Lloyd Jones pocketed the points at Parc Meurig.
Daniel Hughes responded for the home side, who remain in the relegation zone.
With leaders Rhyl 1879 losing, Mountain moved to within three points of the top team with four games in hand thanks to a convincing win at Brickfield.
In blustery conditions at Clywedog Park, Calyn Spencer, making a welcome earlier than expected return from injury, Ryan Kershaw and Lloyd Ellams (penalty) sealed the spoils.
It is now 12 league games unbeaten and 28 points from a possible last 36 for league top-scorers Hotspur, who were in deadly form at the Gladstone Playing Fields.
After Iwan Jones put Rangers ahead on 17 minutes, the visitors hit back to win with goals from Cory Williams, Aron Hughes-Jones, Kenleigh Owen and Dylan Summers-Jones.
Summers-Jones has scored in each of his last seven matches and is on 20 goals for the campaign. Team-mate Cory Williams has hit 21.
Llion Morris (2), Edward Jones, Sam Jones (penalty) and Jack Gronow shared the goals in a convincing home success for Llannefydd.
Cefni replied through John Littlemore and Matty Jones, while the visitors’ coach Tim Cavanagh was red-carded on 63.
Seven-up for fifth-place Nantlle Vale, Jamie Jones (2), Ashley Owen, Sion Williams, Mo el Arab, Math Jones and Aled Williams combining to dish out a thrashing, George Davies bagging a late consolation for the basement side.
Visitors Llanrwst battled their hearts out and were worthy of a point away to one of the league’s strongest teams.
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