Latest news with #Llay
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
We're all set for a busy midweek of Ardal League action
Rhos make the short trip to neighbours Penycae having drawn all three of their opening league games. 'Since joining Rhos, my continued aim with the squad is to be difficult to beat and over the first games that has certainly been the case,' said Jones. 'But our next move is to start converting them to victories - arguably, we should have won all based on chances created.' Hosts Penycae have had a brilliant start to the season and are joint leaders alongside Llanuwchllyn. 'Penycae away is just another game in a competitive division and as with all fixtures, we're looking forward to it.' Llanuwchllyn are top on goal difference and they host a Bow Street who will also be challenging for top spot as they have done in previous campaigns. The other derby clash is at Llangollen Town where Cefn Albion are the visitors. Lex XI will be confident of chalking up their first win of the season as they host bottom-of-the-table Llanrhaeadr. Other fixtures: Builth Wells v Knighton; Kerry v Radnor Valley; Llandrindod Wells v Llanfair Utd. In the North West League, Llay Welfare head to Mynydd Isa after caning Connah's Quay Town 5-0. 'We took the positives we needed to build on and implemented them to get our reward,' said Llay boss Neill Hughes. 'Ellis Hickey returns and Scotty Swords is available for the first time this season. It's a huge game for both sides as both are looking to stabilise after a mixed start to the season.' The only way is up for Connah's Quay Town who sit bottom of the table ahead of the home clash against St Asaph City, who are also pointless. Town manager Gary McConnell pulled no punches and said: 'It was a very poor performance on Saturday. Not taking anything away from Llay as I thought they were excellent. We started fairly well but it was one-way traffic once Llay broke the deadlock. 'I am looking for a big reaction from the lads against St Asaph. They know that Saturday's performance was not good enough and they are hurting from it. 'St Asaph have not had a bright start either and with their manager leaving last week.' With leaders Bangor City 1876 playing tomorrow night, a whole host of sides can grab top spot tonight. Llangefni Town are favourites to do that if they beat Penmaenmawr Phoenix at home. Third-placed NFA head to Trearddur Bay while Prestatyn Town, in fourth place, are at home to Llanrwst United. Porthmadog, who also boast a 100 per cent record, host Felinheli while Bethesda Athletic go to Pwllheli.
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
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
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Flintshire duo maintain top North Wales Cricket League start
Supun Eranga (52) and Nilanka De Silva (3-9) impressed as Carmel got the better of Llanrwst by 70 runs, while Buckley defeated St Asaph Seconds by 14 runs, with Chris Geary (50 not out) and Adam Shaw (4-33) in good form. Llay suffered a six-wicket reverse in their home clash versus Abergele, who compiled 161 for four. Earlier in the day, Jack Edwards (58) and Nathan Humphreys (53 not out) helped Llay to 158 for two. Marchwiel and Wrexham bagged their first win of the season via a 41-run outcome at home to Menai Bridge Seconds. Sam Shoemark's knock of 40 was the leading effort in Marchwiel's 164, while Shoemark (4-23) and Matt Lawrenson (3-18) helped to dismiss Bridge for 123. Leading the way at the top are Corwen, who thrashed Pwllheli by 136 runs, with Harry Pooler (85) and Will Roberts (4-20) impressing, while Pontblyddyn Seconds (Dave Evans 38, Fraser Keay 3-20) lost out by five wickets to Ruthin. Mold Seconds are top dogs in Division Three on the back of their seven-wicket success at Bethesda Seconds. Craig Roberts (4-12) and Chris Boulton (3-8) were superb with the ball to restrict the hosts to 77 for nine, before George Jones (50 not out) led Mold to 80 for three. James Collier (65), Ben Griffiths (40) and Graeme Bell (5-6) were in the spotlight as Gwersyllt Park made it two wins out of two with their 47-run victory versus Llandudno Seconds, while Buckley Seconds also made it back-to-back triumphs courtesy of a 48-run outcome at Conwy Seconds. Harri Weigh's sparkling 104 not out helped Buckley to amass 201 for four and Conwy's response was restricted to 153 for four (Toby Watson 80 not out, Harry Sprowell 3-23). Farhan Abdulla (43) and Salu Sebastian (4-15) caught the eye in Bersham's 70-run win over Abergele Seconds, while Hawarden Park Seconds suffered a nine-wicket reverse to Denbigh Seconds. Despite the best efforts of Harry Morris (3-15) and George Morris (58 not out), Gresford Seconds lost by 22 runs to Caernarfon. Connah's Quay Seconds got the better of Brymbo Thirds by 29 runs in Division Four. George Cottrell (55) and Andy Tilley (3-1) starred for Quay, with Tomos Rhys (3-50) doing likewise for Brymbo. Three wickets apiece from Oliver Heard-Edwards and Gareth Evans helped Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds to a four-wicket success versus Ruthin Seconds, while Carmel & District Seconds lost out by 59 runs at Dolgellau Seconds. Hawarden Park Thirds prevailed by seven wickets in their meeting with Bala and a 50-run margin of victory went the way of Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn versus Halkyn Seconds. Stuart Applewhite (85) and Deepak Loguchetty Deenadayalu (63) were the chief contributors in the hosts' 229 (Dylan Wilson 4-22) and Callum Ferguson hit a brilliant 103 not out in Halkyn's 179 for six (MD Ziaur Rahman 4-38).
