Ardal North East table predicted with Queens Park, Cefn Albion, and Dolgellau verdicts
Knighton Town suffered a defeat to Porthmadog in the Ardal Leagues Play-Off Final in May. (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
The wait is finally over as the new Ardal North East season gets underway today, with the bookmakers making Penycae the team to beat in what promises to be one of the most competitive title races in recent years.
After a fortnight of Welsh Cup and FAW Amateur Trophy action, attention now turns to the start of the Ardal North East league campaign.
The new season gets underway today, with promotion hopefuls looking to make an early statement after a busy summer of recruitment and preparation. With the bookmakers also updating their outright title market ahead of kick-off, Penycae have emerged as the favourites to lift the championship in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive race.
Following an eventful summer of promotions, transfer activity and late changes to the division, Penycae head the outright market offered by Welsh bookmakers Dragon Bet at 10/3, narrowly ahead of Dolgellau (7/2) and last season’s runners-up Knighton Town (4/1).
Knighton came agonisingly close to promotion last term, finishing second before seeing their hopes ended by Porthmadog in the play-offs. They begin another promotion push away at Builth Wells on the opening day.
Dolgellau, meanwhile, will be hoping to make home advantage count against newly promoted Carno, while another of the promoted sides, FC Queens Park, mark their return to the division with a home fixture against Corwen.
Bow Street and Corwen are both priced at 6/1, with Cefn Albion, FC Queens Park and Radnor Valley all available at 7/1. Kerry and Llanfair United follow at 14/1, while Builth Wells, Carno and Llanrhaeadr are all 16/1 shots.
Llangollen Town are considered outsiders despite opening at home to favourites Penycae, with odds of 16/1, while Rhos Aelwyd are the biggest-priced side in the market at 18/1.
The division will consist of 15 teams this season after Llandrindod Wells withdrew from the league last week, reducing the number of clubs shortly before the campaign got underway.
Busy summer reflected in the betting
The outright market has shifted noticeably over the past month, with Penycae seeing the biggest rise in expectations. They have been cut from 9/2 on June 27 to 10/3, replacing Knighton Town as favourites following an impressive recruitment drive that has included Ryan Lancelotte from Brickfield Rangers, Lewis Dutton from Gresford Athletic and Luca Beck from Bala Town.
Knighton Town have eased slightly from 3/1 to 4/1, despite retaining strong support after last season’s second-place finish. Dolgellau have also shortened marginally from 10/3 to 7/2, while Bow Street have drifted from 9/2 to 6/1. Corwen and Cefn Albion have both moved from 11/2 to 6/1 and 7/1 respectively, while Radnor Valley have drifted from 12/1 to 7/1.
One of the biggest movers is FC Queens Park, who have been promoted into the division and are rated a genuine contender at 7/1, a significant shortening from 16/1 a month ago. Fellow promoted side Carno have also entered the league at 16/1.
Kerry’s odds have lengthened slightly from 12/1 to 14/1, despite receiving a reprieve to remain in the division. However, they have arguably completed one of the standout signings of the summer by persuading prolific striker Jamie Breese—last season’s Cymru North Golden Boot winner—to join the club as he returns closer to home.
Elsewhere, Llanfair United have drifted from 12/1 to 14/1, while Builth Wells, Carno and Llanrhaeadr have each moved from 14/1 to 16/1, and Rhos Aelwyd have slipped from 16/1 to 18/1.
Transfer activity adds intrigue
Several clubs have strengthened significantly ahead of the new campaign.
Cefn Albion have enjoyed one of the busiest transfer windows in the division, bringing in at least eight new players. Among the headline arrivals are former Rhyl 1879 midfielder Oliver Fiedor and ex-Builth Wells player Kham Steventon, as they look to mount a serious title challenge.
Penycae have also wasted little time strengthening their squad, with Ryan Lancelotte, Lewis Dutton and Luca Beck all arriving to bolster a side now tipped by the bookmakers to finish top.
With ambitious promoted clubs, established contenders looking to go one better and several sides strengthened over the summer, the Ardal North East looks set for a fascinating season.
Ardal North East title odds
- Penycae – 10/3
- Dolgellau – 7/2
- Knighton Town – 4/1
- Bow Street – 6/1
- Corwen – 6/1
- Cefn Albion – 7/1
- FC Queens Park – 7/1
- Radnor Valley – 7/1
- Kerry – 14/1
- Llanfair United – 14/1
- Builth Wells – 16/1
- Carno – 16/1
- Llanrhaeadr – 16/1
- Llangollen Town – 16/1
- Rhos Aelwyd – 18/1
