MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Ardal North West – Mountain hit new peak in Ring triumph

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – MAY 1, 2024

Llay Welfare 1 (Wells pen 48)
Flint Mountain 5 (Hayes 14, Spencer 16, Ellams pen 45, Hughes 78, Sconce 83)

When the chips were down Flint Mountain showed what they are truly made of.

Tonight’s six-pointer between the top pair in Ardal North West went convincingly the way of the men in sky blue.

Mountain now lead the table by two points ahead of CPD Y Rhyl 1879, who have finished their fixtures, while Llay dropped to third, five points behind Flint with a game in hand.

Only the Welly can now stop Mountain from winning the league, but this evening Aden Shannon’s men made themselves favourites to end up champions

This is how things stand after tonight (each team plays 30 matches)

Flint Mountain: Played 27 Points 62 (GD +43)
To play: May 4 – CPD Pwllheli (h), May 11 – CPD Y Felinheli (h), May 25 – CPD Llannefydd (a)

CPD Y Rhyl: Played 30 Points 60

Llay Welfare: Played 26 Points 57 (GD +30)
To play: May 4 – St Asaph City (a), May 11 – CPD Llannefydd (h), May 15 – St Asaph City (h), May 18 – Bethesda Athletic (h)

Llay came into this evening’s clash unbeaten in 13 league matches and on a run of seven straight wins.

Mountain had suffered a rare defeat at the weekend, going down 1-0 at bang-in-form Holyhead Hotspur.

However, the visitors started strongly, Mike Hayes putting away his 27th goal of the season on 14 minutes from an Aaron Simpson assist.

Two minutes later, Ryan Kershaw set up Calyn Spencer, unstoppable since his return from injury. for his sixth league goal this campaign.

In the 45th minute, Llay suffered a big blow when Dan Lloyd was red-carded and Lloyd Ellams made it 3-0 from the penalty spot to put the travelling side in command.

Two minutes into the second half, the sides were evened up when Ellams was sent off for a second yellow.

The Welly then gave themselves some hope when Tom Wells converted from the spot on 48.

However, Flint took a big step towards the points when the on-fire Rob Hughes made it 4-1 with his seventh goal in five matches, Jack Sconce with the assist.

And Sconce himself rounded off the scoring with 83 gone.

A huge win for the Mountain, but Llay have been in great form until tonight and if they can return to their best in the final four matches they could yet land the title. Regardless, three more points should seal them second spot and guaranteed promotion play-off berth.