Congratulations to Llay Miners Welfare – promoted to tier 2 of Welsh football for the very first time.
A magnificent third season in Ardal North West has seen the Welly finish runners-up and win the promotion play-off to reach the Cymru North next term.
After securing fifth place in 2021-22, then ninth last season, Llay were on song from pretty much the start of 2023-24 before a new year 13-match unbeaten run which included 11 wins put them right in the promotion picture.
Back-to-back losses to champions Flint Mountain and St Asaph City in early May threatened to derail the Wrexham area club’s ambitions, but three straight wins sealed them second spot and after winning an FAW appeal to gain a Tier 2 licence they entered Saturday’s play-off final against Llanuwchllyn of the Ardal North East at Maes Tegid, Bala, in high spirits.
It was goalless after 90 minutes, meaning that a shootout would decide the 44th and final club in the second tier next season.
Both teams scored their first five penalties each, before Llanuwchllyn defender Kyle Jones missed from 12 yards in sudden death to hand Llay a golden opportunity.
It was a chance that veteran David MacIntyre took, as he converted his spot-kick to secure his side’s place in the JD Cymru North alongside Ardal North East champions Penrhyncoch and Ardal North West title-winners Flint Mountain.
While the Llay players deserve so much of the credit for winning promotion, massive praise is also due to managers Mike Gadie and Steven Halliwell, the latter having proven such as asset to the club since joining at the start of the campaign.
With experience of having managed Gresford Athletic in Cymru North, Halliwell’s knowledge has been and will continue to be of great benefit to the long-serving Gadie.
Successful penalty-takers for Llay: Thomas Wells, Will Nevitt, Michael Wright, Max Peate, Scott Swords, David MacIntyre.
Michael Platt (GK)
Dean Bryan
Aled Roberts
Max Peate (c)
Matthew Thompson
Jonathan Collo
David MacIntyre
Scott Swords
Cavan Daley
Ethan Simpson
Adam Williams
SUBS (all used)
Thomas Wells
Tomos Williams
Michael Wright
Dan Lloyd
Will Nevitt
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