This weekend is set to be an historic day in Llandudno football history, as Llandudno Junction and Llandudno Albion play each other for the very first time in competitive football.
Despite having faced off twice in pre-season, the clubs are yet to have faced off in a competitive fixture in their club’s histories.
After a difficult season in the Huws Gray Alliance last season Junction’s worries have continued, as they find themselves bottom of Welsh Alliance League Division One, and with their neighbours Albion flying high in fourth, Junction fans will be hoping they do not compound matters.
It will be a strange day for current Albion boss Darren Jones, who will be returning to Junction for the first time since leaving Junction to take over as boss at Llandudno Albion.
“I’ve only been to the flyover once or twice since I left so it’ll be nice to go back with the Albion. They’ve got good people involved there who work their socks off for the club and who contributed to that relatively successful time I was there, but that’s in the past. It will be strange being in the away dugout but I love being with the Albion so as long as we pick up the points, I’ll be happy.”
Llandudno Albion have been going strong in the league and are firm favourites heading into the match. But, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Greenfield last week, Jones was disappointed with the result and is looking for a reaction from his players.
“It was a disappointing day all round, of which we seem to have had too many this year and got exactly what we deserved so we definitely need a reaction and a positive performance/result before we go into Llangefni at home next weekend, which is an uphill task in any situation.”
But, despite being favourites for the game, the Albion boss isn’t taking Junction lightly despite the neighbours being bottom of the league.
Jones has said his side will have the right mentality heading into the game to ensure they secure a win.
“Nothing beats playing your neighbour. Especially if you win! They seemed to have struggled a little but that doesn’t mean we can take the game lightly. They’re a group of hard working young lads with some good quality and a great guy in charge who instills the work ethic in them so we need to make sure we turn up on the day, apply ourselves properly and do everything for the 3 points.”
After six wins in 12, it has been an up and down season for Llandudno Albion.
But, Darren Jones is looking for some consistency from his players and to bring confidence back to the squad.
“It’s been a roller coaster for us so far this year. We’ve had some good performances and we’ve had some very average ones aswell so consistency is something we need to address. We are capable of more so we hope we can string a little bit of a run together, get confidence back and kick on for the rest of the year.”
The side have maintained pace with the league’s top sides so far this term and currently sit in fourth, but Jones can’t see anyone catching the league leaders Llangefni, insisting that they’re a class apart from the rest.
But, Jones sees second position up for grabs.
“Realistically I can’t see anyone catching Llangefni as they seem to be a class apart but I believe, on our day we are match for all the other teams around us but I do think we are all fighting for 2nd position, who gets that spot is anyone’s I guess as everyone else is capable of beating each other. Providing we can better last years finishing positions then that could be considered an improvement.
But, Jones is still looking for the small marginal gains to help Albion get better both on and off the pitch.
Jones insists that he is trying to better their performances to become a more consistent side, and off the pitch the club are looking for volunteers to help the club kick on in the future.
“In terms of future aims then it’s little and often and trying to improve on previous results/performances/results etc. With the change in the league structures etc due to be implemented we don’t really know how it will affect us but we still need to strive to be better regardless. We have a very small group of guys behind the scenes who make the club tick so one aim would attract more volunteers to help out and hopefully move the club forward with the thought of maybe trying to set up a reserve team.”
How he would love for those small marginal gains to begin this weekend with a win over their neighbours.
FEATURED IMAGE: Llandudno Albion
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