LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST: NFA win again at their fortress, Phoenix pick up valuable points on road

Penmaenmawr Phoenix (green and black) won 5-2 at St Asaph. Picture: JAMES OWEN ROBERTS – many thanks

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

NFA 2 Llangefni Town 1

Since joining Ardal North West at the start of 2024-25, NFA have lost just two league matches out of 26 at home ground Ffordd Derwen.

Having been promoted to Tier 3 last season, the Rhyl-based team have won 18 and drawn 6 of those home fixtures, their only defeats coming against top sides Rhyl 1879 and Porthmadog. That’s 60 home points out of a possible 78 in the ANW.

This campaign sees NFA unbeaten in the league on their own pitch and on Saturday they celebrated an impressive win over Llangefni Town.

Third-place NFA extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches with another fine performance at their Ffordd Derwen fortress.

The hosts took a 12th minute lead when Simon Fawcett set up Macauley Taylor to break the deadlock.

Llangefni, who beat NFA 1-0 in the reverse fixture in August, equalised on 21 minutes through Ashley Ainsworth.

However, things soon turned sour for the Anglesey side, with forward Ifan Mansoor red-carded. Coach Craig Thomas received the same punishment for the visitors on 33 minutes.

In first half stoppage time, Oliver Hansen edged NFA back in front, Taylor the supplier.

On the hour, David Wallis, who was also sent off in the defeat at Llangefni, was shown a red card for the fourth time this season, reducing both teams to 10 men.

There were no further goals, the result allowing NFA a firmer hold on third spot.

St Asaph City 2 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 5

Check out this adorable view shot of Roe Plas Meadows on a football afternoon taken by JAMES OWEN ROBERTS

Phoenix picked up another crucial three points in their battle for survival.

Having triumphed 1-0 at Connah’s Quay Town in midweek, the Cae Sling outfit made it back-to-back victories with a positive outcome at Roe Plas Meadows.

The game was originally scheduled for Penmaenmawr, but their ground was unplayable, so it was switched to St Asaph.

James Williams put bottom side Saints in front on 13 minutes, but the visitors levelled after 25 through Daniel Williams.

Asaph regained the lead after 40 through Elliott Turner only for a Harley Crossfield penalty to make it all-square at half time.

The second half belonged to Pen, the experienced Toby Jones nudging them in front for the first time with 49 on the clock.

Jones then turned assistant for Jay Sutton to make it 4-2 on 58. Sutton himself was a chance supplier when Adam Hold added a fifth with 64 gone.