CEFN ALBION have clipped back Chirk AAA’s lead at the top of the North East League to just three points but boss Sean Jones is taking it one game at a time.

A home win against Caersws tomorrow will keep the pressure on the leaders, who make the trip to Dolgellau.

“The title race does seem to be gathering a bit of momentum seeing as though we are still at the fairly early stages of the season,” said Albion boss Sean Jones.

“We are just trying to do things our own way and we don’t concentrate at all on any other teams results.

“It’s a compliment to us that other teams are talking about us in their match reports so we must be doing something correct but we are under no illusions that we have a given right to be up there at all.

“We have three really tough games against three teams who are hitting form, especially Saturday against Caersws because for 45 minutes against us in the first game of the season they were the best team we’ve played this season.”

Chirk boss Andy Pryde described how the 2-2 draw against Penycae felt like a loss.

He said: “We went into the changing room after the game and it felt like a loss. We were in and around their area so much. But it happens in football.”

Goalkeeper Cal Thurnham is available for the first time in two months, coming in for Zac Bebbington.

Penycae are the team of the moment in the North East Wales League after they ended Chirk's 100 per cent winning run last time out.

Team boss Dan Richards, who takes his side to Welshpool tomorrow, said: "I would say it was a fair result, but there were opportunities for us to win the game."

Penycae withstood a late barrage from the leaders to pick up a point and Richards added: "They really dug in and it's the first time as a squad they were a tight group.

"We set up the shape differently to what we had played.

"It seemed to pay off and it was a good result."

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Richards said: "It's going to be a difficult place to go.

"They have had some decent results lately."

Penycae will be without skipper Adam Peters, who is suspended, while Gary Evans and Mike Parry unavailable.
However, Josh Mazzarella, Austin Owen and Lewis Hughes are all back.

Rhos Aelwyd enjoyed a brilliant 5-2 win at Corwen last week and player-boss Aled Parry will demand the same again when Berriew visit Ponciau Banks.

“It was a great performance from the lads who never stopped working throughout the ninety minutes and a good three points to start off a tough run of games,” said Parry, who is missing James Rumsey, Dan Roberts and Aled Bayley. Alfie Owens and Ian Hughes are set to return.

Inconsistent Corwen will aim to bounce back at home to Machynlleth while bottom-of-the-table Four Crosses host Carno, Bow Street visit Kerry and Penparcau are at home to Llanfair United.

Mold Alex are level on points with North West League leaders Denbigh Town ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Llandudno Albion.

“It’s a real team effort at the club at the moment on and off the pitch, everyone is pulling in the same direction,” said boss Mike Cunningham, who welcomes back captain Ryan Nash and Connor Kendrick.

“Tomorrow will be tough but we go there with confidence. We will just concentrate on ourselves and look to pick up a positive result.”

Denbigh, whose better goal difference is keeping Mold off top spot, are at home to Nantlle Vale.

Llay Welfare are one of the league’s in-form sides and they are at home to Llanrwst United.

Saltney Town produced a superb defensive display to hold hosts Llanrwst to a goal-less draw a week ago.

That back line will again be put to the test tomorrow when they visit title-chasing Porthmadog.

Brickfield Rangers make the trip to Llanuwchllyn while Rhostyllen coach Darren Hignett is targeting three points from his side’s trip to Y Felinheli.

He said: “We played them in our first game of the season which ended in a 1-1 draw. They scored after 20 seconds then defended for their lives.

“We hope after scoring seven last week away from home the lads are more confident in front of goal.”

Scott Swords is still suspended while player-boss Warren Aykroyd-Duckett is not 100 per cent fit yet but should be included in the squad.

Despite a poor run of form that has seen them slip into the bottom three, Brymbo will be confident of picking up three points at home against a Blaenau Ffestiniog side who have only won once in 16 games.

Rhydymwyn, who are one point ahead of Brymbo, get the ball rolling under the lights tonight with fellow strugglers St Asaph City the visitors to Vicarage Road.

November hasn’t been a month of league matches for Rhydymwyn.

Tonight, they play their second and final Ardal North West League match of the month.

The sides last met back in mid-August, with a 1-1 draw the outcome in St Asaph.

However, Rhydymwyn will be aiming for the three points on the back of last weekend’s slender 1-0 loss at Y Felinheli - and they’ve only won one of their last five league games.

Joint Rhydymwyn boss Jordan Parry said: “It’s been pretty difficult, really. The fixtures are chopping and changing. The lads have got to go and win the game on Friday.

“It’s a must win game and the lads know that.”