As we enter the early days of 2018 we look at the high’s and low’s of the season so far in the Welsh Alliance League. Conwy Borough started the season as favourites to make a swift return to the Huws Gray Alliance and since the first game, they haven’t disappointed.
After thirteen games they have only dropped six points and stay unbeaten going into the new year, with Corrig McGonigle leading the goal-scoring chart with 25 goals, one of the highest tallies within the pyramid. Conwy are by no means running away with the league, Llangefni Town, who lie in second place is only four points behind and having yet another consistent season.
Since Chris Robert’s men were re-introduced to the Welsh Alliance, a few seasons ago, the Anglesey club have gone from strength to strength and so far this season the positivity has continued. The town will be looking to keep hot on the heels of the leaders and push their own chances of promotion back into the Huws Gray Alliance.
A surprise package this season has to be Llanrwst United, the last few seasons has seen them struggle down the bottom of the 1st Division but this year, they sit nicely in third place. Barry Owen’s side have already hit the net 11 times more than they did throughout the entirety of last season and with their top scorer, Mike Lundstrum scoring 10 so far, goals are coming from all angles.
One team looking to press for the top spot as we go into the second half of the season is Llandudno Albion, recent form has shown only one defeat in six and with their almost impeccable home form, catching and pressing the promotion bunch is not out of their reach.
Albion’s Welsh Cup win against Rhyl earlier in the season, albeit a fantastic achievement, was probably not that surprising as up to now, The Albion have only seen one defeat at home so far this season, and with having only played nine times in the league so far, if they were to win their games in hand over the top three they would see themselves inside the title fight.
(Image Credit: Dave Moore of Glan Conwy FC)
Division 2
Over in Division 2, it’s hard to see anybody but Prestatyn Sports sealing the top spot. It has somewhat been a frustrating season so far, they were forced to withdraw from the Welsh Cup. It was deemed their ground was unfitting to hold the cup match against Caersws and several postponements have left them playing several matches less than a lot of their division two counterparts.
However, they sit second, thirteen points behind, but importantly eight games in hand on leaders Glan Conwy, and one of only several clubs across the pyramid unbeaten in their respective league, they are odds on to finish as champions.
Glan Conwy themselves have re-built what was a sunken ship from last season. After a miserable campaign which lead to their impending relegation, it may have been no surprise if Glan slipped into mid-table mediocrity, but not at all, several positive signings, a real strength of togetherness have helped shoot the Conwy side to the top of the league and give them a strong opportunity of bouncing back into Division 1 at the first time of asking.
One team that could put a challenge in for promotion are Bodedern Athletic, if they continue their current run of form they will have no problem in pushing for promotion.
With only one defeat so far, this season, they will be looking to fly out the blocks, come to the start of the new year. It’s been a good re-introduction to Welsh Alliance life for the Anglesey club.
There is plenty to play for come 2018, the race for promotion to the Huws Gray Alliance will be an interesting one, particularly with the extra space needed to be filled next season. Three teams have applied for the promotion, that being, Conwy Borough, Llangefni Town and Llanrug United.
(Featured Image: Steve Lewis of Llandudno Albion)
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