Three cheers for the champions – Penyffordd FC Vets!

Penyffordd FC Vets have clinched the North East Wales Veterans League Division 2A title in some style.

Ten wins in 11 matches has given the Flintshire side an unassailable lead in the seven-team division for 2025-26.

James McKinnon’s side lost just once in the league, 5-4 away to Gresford Colliery Vets, while their campaigns in the NEWFA Veterans Cup and North East Wales Vets League Cup resulted in exits to the all-conquering FC Queens Park.

Penyffordd scored 66 league goals in 11 matches – an average of six per game.

Top-scorer for Pen, and the leading marksman in Division 2A, was former Llanuwchllyn and Dolgellau striker Owain Williams, who has netted more than 200 career goals.

Williams struck 15 times for Penyffordd Vets over the last five league games.

PENYFFORDD FC VETS – HOW THE TITLE WAS WON

PLAYED 11 WON 10 LOST 1 GOALS FOR 66 GOALS AGAINST 22 POINTS 30 POSITION 1ST

Aug 17: Mynydd Isa Veterans (a) 4-2 (Richard Chapman 2, Lee Messham, Tom Dove)
Aug 31: Acton FC Vets (h) 5-4 (Richard Chapman 2, Gareth Higgins 2, Phil Clark)
Sep 14: Gresford Colliery Vets (h) 6-4 (Paul Jones 2, Owain Williams, Tom Dove, Sean Johnson, Wayne Davies)
Oct 19: Broughton United Veterans (a) 4-2 (Lee Messham 2, Richard Chapman, Sean Johnson)
Nov 2: White Bear Vets (h) 6-0 (Lee Messham 2, Richard Chapman, Simon Smith, Mark Emberton, Michael Dugine)
Jan 18: Gresford Colliery Vets (a) 4-5 (Adam Pugh 2, Lee Messham, Michael Dugine)
Mar 1: White Bear Vets (a) 12-2 (Richard Chapman 4, Owain Williams 3, Lee Messham 3, Craig Worthington 2)
Mar 22: Buckley Town Veterans (h) 9-1 (Owain Williams 4, Richard Chapman, Craig Worthington, Steven Davies, Marcus Davies, Colin Pugh)
Apr 12: Broughton United Veterans (h) 6-0 (Owain Williams 3, Craig Worthington, Marcus Davies, Adam Pugh)
Apr 19: Buckley Town Veterans (a) 5-2 (Owain Williams 2, Richard Chapman, Craig Worthington, Gareth Higgins)
Apr 29: Mynydd Isa Veterans (h) 5-0 (Owain Williams 3, 1 pen, Richard Chapman, Sean Johnson)

GOALS (66)

16 – Owain Williams
13 – Richard Chapman
9 – Lee Messham
5 – Craig Worthington
3 – Gareth Hiiggins
3 – Sean Johnson
3 – Adam Pugh
2 – Marcus Davies
2 – Tom Dove
2 – Michael Dugine
2 – Paul Jones
1 – Phil Clarke, Wayne Davies, Mark Emberton, Colin Pugh, Simon Smith, Steven Davies

CUP RESULTS

Oct 5: Denbigh Wanderers Vets (a – NEWFA Veterans Cup) 3-1 (Michael Shaw, Craig Worthington, Richard Chapman)
Jan 25: FC Queens Park (a – NEWFA Veterans Cup) 0-12
Feb 22: Rhydymwyn Vets (h – North East Wales Vets League Cup) 1-0 (Gareth Higgins)
Mar 8: FC Queens Park (a – North East Wales Vets League Cup) 3-5 (Owain Williams 2, Phil Clark)

GOALS (7)

2 – Owain Williams
1 – Michael Shaw, Craig Worthington, Richard Chapman, Gareth Higgins, Phil Clark)

QUOTES….

MANAGER – JAMES McKINNON

“It’s a special feeling, To come into this Vets set-up in my first season as manager and see the group come together the way they have has been brilliant. From day one, the attitude, commitment, and togetherness in the squad have been spot on, and that’s what’s driven us to this league title.
“A lot of the credit goes to the players; they’ve bought in to everything and shown great commitment all season. Also I have seen them play some quality football along the way.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a group. It’s not just about winning the league, it’s about the spirit we’ve built along the way. If we can keep that going, there’s no reason this team can’t keep competing in division 1 next season.”

CAPTAIN – JAMES EASTWOOD

“I’d say the main factorsin us winning the league were having a great team cohesion and togetherness, along with the gaffer, Jim McKinnon, bringing in some new players which helped us build upon the success from the previous season.
“Also a mention for our band of merry supporters and our mini ultras bringing the noise, which was to many an opposition goalkeeper’s annoyance, or humour!”