Latest news with #ArdalNorthWestLeague
Leader Live
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
North East Wales clubs up for the cup to start season
Rival managers Gary McConnell and Neill Hughes both used to coach in Flint Town United's youth academy while Town's key signing of the summer is former Llay goal-getter Jonny Taylor. 'I know Neill well and I know his team will want to play football. It's a tough one to kick off the season with,' said McConnell, who has taken over the manager's job from Gav Parry. Set for his debut is Llay old boy Taylor and McConnell is pleased to snap up the former Cefn Druids and Rhyl marksman. 'Jonny reached out to us and I think it's a great addition for the club,' added McConnell. 'He's experienced, he'll give us a little more edge and he reminds me of how I was as a player.' Taylor is one of a number of new signings for Town, whose new arrivals also include Kian Brick, Joe Hancock, Lewis James, Alister Randles and Jacob Dempsey. Both sides will be rivals in the Ardal North West League this season where Llay's Hughes will hope to lead his team back into Cymru North. And their chances have been boosted by keeping last season's top scorer Jon Collo on their books. There's a belting derby between Cefn Albion and Rhos Aelwyd whose boss Gareth Jones said: 'Whilst last season was tough for our young squad, we defied the doubters and deserved to stay in the league with the points acquired. 'Our youth system is incredible and at least five players will progress to the senior team, with the addition of Owen Czerniak (Gresford) and Shrewsbury-based Arryn Matthee.' Jack Pawley can't wait for the season to kick off at Coedpoeth United. Pawley is the new man in charge and will be looking to knock out visitors Deiniolen. With the whole of last year's unbeatable U19s team signing forms, Pawley will be spoilt for choice picking his starting XI. 'As a club, we're all very excited for the new season,' said Pawley, who will be assisted by Karl Partington, Aaron Camplin and Adam Taylor. 'We have got a great bunch of lads and you can sense that they all want to do well.' The only downer for Coedpoeth is that new signing Rob Reynolds is out for 10 weeks after with an ankle injury. Chirk AAA's new manager Ryan Roberts will have a new-look squad ahead of Sunday's tie at home against Kinmel Bay. Last season's leading scorer Tom Freeman returns after a short spell at Brickfield Rangers while Ash Maws, Ollie Roberts and Matty Hayes have joined from Cefn Druids. Matty Tombs comes in from Overton while several of Chirk's U19 team will be in the squad including Louie Irving, Tommy McArdle, Alfie Harris and Alfie Robinson. Brad Pearce and Brandon Edwards both miss out through suspension. Rhydymwyn have snapped up Connah's Quay Town duo Will Leonard and Joel Griffiths ahead of their trip to Conwy Borough while Greenfield boss Scott Beck has signed four players as they make the short trip to Rhuddlan Town. 'We have signed four new players, Aaron Dowsett, Connor Davies, Kieron Day and Matt Gilsenan, and are hoping to get another two or three in over the next few weeks,' he said. 'We have underachieved for a few seasons now, so hopefully with the signings we've added we can improve and be in contention once the league starts.' Penyffordd Lions host Knighton Town and Broughton United will look to continue their brilliant introduction to senior football by beating visitors Penrhyndeudraeth. Saltney Town and Hawarden Rangers will also be looking to make home advantage count in their ties against Holyhead Town and Llanilar. Rhostyllen will be favourites to dispose of Deeside Dragons while FC Queen's Park entertain Mynydd Llandegai. Arran 'Taz' Taylor is Park's new boss and he said: 'We come into the season off the back of a successful pre-season, the lads have trained hard and we have bolstered our squad with the two great signings of Jordan Williams and Ryan Kershaw, both experienced players and bring a lot to the club.' There are testing trips for Penycae and Castell Alun, who go to Kerry and St Asaph City respectively, while Sychdyn United host Abermule.
Leader Live
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Clubs will still want a good start to Cymru North season
However, that's not to say that clubs don't want to gather three-point hauls when the Cymru North action kicks-off again later this month! Brickfield Rangers have made the step-up after brilliantly securing the Ardal North East League title last season and they open on Friday, July 25 with a trip to Rhyl 1879, who won the Ardal North West League. It will be a return to the club where he won honours galore for Rangers' boss Gareth Wilson. Two Flintshire derbies are the pick of the matches the following day. Last season's runners-up Airbus visit Buckley Town, while Holywell Town, who finished in third spot, host Flint Mountain. There are opening Saturday home games for Gresford Athletic and Mold Alex, who tackle Guilsfield and Penrhyncoch respectively. Brickfield's first home match will come against Buckley Town on August 9, while on the same day, Airbus welcome Holyhead Hotspur and there are away days for Mold Alex and Holywell Town against Caersws and Denbigh Town respectively. On August 8, Flint Mountain are at home to Llandudno and Gresford entertain Ruthin. Christmas crackers are sure to be in store with half-a-dozen tasty Boxing Day encounters. Amongst there will be Holywell's clash away to Flint Mountain, Buckley at Llandudno, Mold hosting Caersws and Airbus heading to Newtown. On December 27, there's a big showdown as Gresford host Brickfield, while Eddie Maurice-Jones' Athletic visit Denbigh on New Year's Day. Airbus are at home to Flint Mountain on the same day, while Mold make the short trip to Buckley, and Holywell host Holyhead. Brickfield's first game of 2026 is at home to Guilsfield on January 3. The season draws to a close on April 18, 2026, with Airbus, Brickfield and Mold Alex at home to Llandudno, Holywell and Flint Mountain respectively. Gresford go to Guilsfield and Buckley make the long trek to Holyhead. Dan Collins has made a loan switch from Airbus to Gresford Athletic. Last season, Collins made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Wingmakers, helping the side to win three trophies. He will be on loan at Gresford until January. Airbus boss Mark Allen told the club's website: 'A good opportunity for Dan to get some game time at Gresford. 'He is very highly thought of at Airbus and unfortunately mainly to injuries his game time was limited last season. 'Playing at Gresford will be a good learning curve for him and allow him to develop and become more accustomed to the league.' Gresford manager Maurice-Jones said: 'It's brilliant news to secure the loan signing of Dan - an unbelievably talented footballer, who brings exceptional quality to our squad. 'Dan is brilliant in possession, intelligent in finding space and a constant creative threat going forward. He also brings a winning mentality that aligns perfectly with our ambitions for this season. 'Despite his young age, Dan already boasts a wealth of experience and we're confident that he'll make a big impact.' There are three friendlies tonight with Cefn Albion at home to Rhyl 1879. Llay Welfare host Denbigh Town and Hawarden Rangers go to Yr Wyddgrug.
Leader Live
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Building up for a big campaign in the Ardal Leagues
With new boss Neill Hughes now in charge at The Ring with Russ Williams and Liam Simon part of his back-room team, Llay have been boosted by the news that highly-rated striker Jon Collo will be staying on for next season's North West League campaign. Collo struck 12 goals and set up two as Llay struggled in the bottom two for most of the season. Hughes, who has also been boosted by captain Max Peate and vice-captain Dean Bryan re-signing, posted on Llay's X site: 'This is the one for me. Can't wait to work with Collo.' Llay, promoted via the play-offs 15 months ago, will be one of the favourites to go up along with Bangor 1876, who were also relegated last April. North East Wales League champions Mynydd Isa step up a division where they will go up against Flintshire rivals, Connah's Quay Town, who also have a new man at the helm with Gary McConnell taking over from Gavin Parry. Prestatyn Town and Porthmadog should be involved in the promotion picture while Anglesey outfit, Trearddur Bay, will also be up there challenging. Corwen have switched leagues hoping what happened to Brickfield Rangers last season repeats itself. Rangers moved across from the North West to the North East and won the title, pipping Bow Street, Dolgellau and Llanuwchllyn to the title. Those three will be challengers, while Cefn Albion, Penycae, Rhos Aelwyd and Llangollen Town will all be battling for a top-six finish. Lex XI have been promoted as North East Wales League runners-up and it will be interesting to see how Ricky Evans' side fare at a higher level. And there's a tasty away day to begin life for Lex, who will pay a visit to Cefn Albion on Tuesday, July 29. On the same evening, Llangollen Town begin their tilt with a big derby clash at home to Corwen, while Penycae make the trip to Llanfair United. Rhos Aelwyd have a testing home encounter versus Llanuwchllyn to contend with. Other fixtures: Bow Street v Knighton; Builth Wells v Kerry; Llandrindod Wells v Radnor Valley; Llanrhaeadr YM v Dolgellau. Mynydd Isa open their Ardal North West League season away to Prestatyn Town, who were relegated from Cymru North last time out. There are home comforts in store for Connah's Quay Town and Llay Welfare, who will tackle Llannefydd and NFA respectively. Bangor 1876 begin at home to Llanrwst United. Other fixtures: Llangefni Town v Pwllheli; Porthmadog v Penmaenmawr Phoenix; St Asaph City v Bethesda Athletic. July 30: Trearddur Bay v Y Felinheli.
Leader Live
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Opening Ardal League fixtures for next season are released
First up, Lex, who have made the step-up from the North East Wales League, pay a visit to Cefn Albion on Tuesday, July 29. On the same evening, Llangollen Town begin their tilt with a big derby clash at home to Corwen, while Penycae make the trip to Llanfair United. Rhos Aelwyd have a testing home encounter versus Llanuwchllyn to contend with. Other fixtures: Bow Street v Knighton; Builth Wells v Kerry; Llandrindod Wells v Radnor Valley; Llanrhaeadr YM v Dolgellau. Mynydd Isa, last season's North East Wales League champions, open their Ardal North West League season away to Prestatyn Town, who were relegated from Cymru North last time out. There are home comforts in store for Connah's Quay Town and Llay Welfare, who will tackle Llannefydd and NFA respectively. Bangor 1876 begin at home to Llanrwst United. Other fixtures: Llangefni Town v Pwllheli; Porthmadog v Penmaenmawr Phoenix; St Asaph City v Bethesda Athletic. July 30: Trearddur Bay v Y Felinheli.
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Boss Shannon leaves Flint Mountain after three great seasons
The resignations of Shannon and his assistant Jonny Hill have been accepted by the Essity Stadium club on the back of three successful seasons in charge. A statement on the club website read: "Aden and Jonny joined the club in the summer of 2022, following our promotion to the Ardal North West League. "In their debut season, they guided the team to a commendable fourth-place finish. "Their second season was marked by remarkable success, with the club finishing as league champions and securing promotion to the JD Cymru North for the first time in our history. "That same season also saw triumph in the NEWFA Challenge Cup, a runners-up finish in the Ardal Northern Cup, and an impressive run to the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup. "In our debut Cymru North campaign last season, the team achieved a strong seventh-place finish, securing Tier 2 football for the coming season. "Flint Mountain Football Club extends its sincere gratitude to Aden and Jonny for their dedication, professionalism, and contribution to the club's continued progression. We wish them both every success in their future endeavours. "Further announcements regarding the first team managerial position will follow in due course."
