THE North East Wales League may be propping up football’s pyramid but when it comes to producing teams of the future it’s the tops.

Clubs like Cefn Albion and Rhostyllen, who have been jostling for top spot in the Welsh National League’s Premier Division this season, have benefitted from starting all over again in the North East Wales League.

FC Queen’s Park went all the way to the Cymru Alliance while Plas Madoc, Flint Mountain and Sychdyn - the other three title winners - are still all going strong.

And there’s been no let-up this season either.

With everyone expecting Penyffordd Lions, Sychdyn and Acton to challenge for the title it’s been surprise package Brymbo Victoria, who have grabbed pole position for most of the season.

Brymbo may have been a point ahead when the world - and not just football - was brought to a halt by the coronavirus pandemic last month but newcomers Chirk Town looked like pipping them to the title.

Brymbo have one game left to play and Chirk have two and with the league only boasting nine teams, there’s a good chance the season could be completed once the Football Association of Wales give clubs to green light to resume.

That would be great news to Chirk Town, whose secretary Ben Nash, said: “With it being such a small league, I guess there’s a chance they could see it through or they could just play the various cup competitions.

“We’ve applied to join tier four next season and we’ll just see what the Welsh FA decide.”

In their first season as a club after players from the disbanded Chirk AAA Reserves decided to get together and form a new team, Town have won 10 of their 14 league games.

“We’ve had a good season,” added Nash. “We did want to groundshare with Chirk but that didn’t happen so we’ve got a good ground at Weston Rhyn so it’s not too far for the lads to travel.

“We’ve enjoyed it in the North East Wales League and it would be great to finish top.

“Brymbo Victoria have surprised a lot this season but if we win our games, we’ll do it.”

Striker Tom Freeman is one of the reasons for Chirk’s success.

He leads the scoring charts with 17 goals and Nash added: “He’s a Chirk lad and he’s enjoying his football, as our all the players here.

“Chris Hughes is our manager and the squad’s stayed pretty much the same all season.

“We’re just hoping we get the chance to finish off the season.”

Freeman and midfielder Naz Farhat have made it into The Leader’s North East Wales League team of the season that also features Brymbo’s Adam Lloyd and Paul Messham.

Delwyn Derrick, the coach and founder of North East Wales basement boys Bellevue, played a big part in picking out the league’s best players.

“These are players we’ve given man of the match to throughout the season,” said Derrick. “I thought that was the best idea. I was short a defender so I chucked in our player of the season.”

TOP TEAM

1: OLLIE HOWARTH (Sychdyn): Has been impressive between the posts for the Flintshire side.

2: GEORGE THOMAS (Sychdyn): Played his part in Sychdyn’s solid back-line.

3: STEVE WILSON (Mold Town United): Picked up man of the match award against Bellevue.

4: BOBBY GREGORY (Bellevue): Been a regular in the Bellevue side and shows off his versatility by sometimes plying in goal.

5: ALEX HARRISON (Caerwys): Solid performer at the back for the fourth-placed side.

6: ADAM PUGH (Penyffordd Lions): A class act for a team who will be disappointed not to have made top spot their own.

7: NAZ FARHAT (Chirk Town): A match-winner on his day, Farhat has pulled the strings in midfield.

8: ELGAN HUGHES (Caerwys): Scored nine goals from midfield for the popular Caerwys team.

9: PAUL MESSHAM (Brymbo Victoria): His 12-goal return has played a big part for Brymbo.

10: TOM FREEMAN (Chirk Town): Probably too good at this level but the 17-goal striker has enjoyed life back at home club.

11: ADAM LLOYD (Brymbo Victoria): Regular on the scoresheet and is only two goals behind the leading scorer.

12: BEN HUGHES (Penyffordd Lions): The league’s third top score with 13 goals.

13: ELLIOT HALL (Borras Park Albion): Had a decent season for the mid-table side who has certainly impressed against Chirk.

14: NIALL CHALLONER (Acton): Returned after a spell at Queen’s Park and back among the goals.

15: AARON NORTH (Mold Town Utd): Another consistent performer.

16: JASON WEAVER (Acton): Enjoyed a good season.

TOP BOSS: CHRIS HUGHES (Chirk Town): First season in the North East Wales League could end in promotion.