ANDY VALE is hunting history with Brickfield Rangers.
Vale came off the bench to score his 96th goal for Rangers in their Ardal North Cup win a week ago and the brother of Blackburn Rovers star Jack is desperate to hit the century mark.
Four goals in tomorrow’s home clash with in-form Llangollen Town might be too big an ask but having scored 13 times already this season, the striker’s confidence will be sky high.
“Andy has been outstanding,” said Rangers’ boss Gareth Wilson.
“He is four goals away from getting 100 for the club and he is desperate to become the first to do it.
“He epitomises what we have tried to create over the last two, three years - athletic, hungry and enthusiastic players who are willing to learn and get better.”
Brickfield are top of the table in the Ardal North East League with Llangollen in third place.
But Llan boss Luke Maybury said: “Brickfield are the early pace setters, but we know we can go toe to toe with them.
“This weekend gives us a chance to show everyone in this league that we can compete with the top sides in the league.”
Llan go into the game after a thrilling 6-4 Ardal North Cup win over Cefn Albion.
“It was a cracker of a game,” added Maybury. “It was two teams who just wanted to attack. Great for the neutral!”
Cefn boss Ian Andrews agreed and said: “It was a good watch for the paying supporters, but not a good watch for myself from the sidelines.
“All six goals could have been avoided which is a concern at the moment.”
Albion, winners of the competition in 2019, are at home to Gronant and Andrews, who could hand starts to Callum Mannion and Kien Morris, added: “Don’t know much about them so we’ll give them the respect they deserve.
“We’ll be playing in Cefn again and fingers crossed we can put on a performance for the village and loyal supporters.”
Dion Gibbons, Ryan Merrill and Josh Valentine are all out but Josh Roberts, Jamie Foulkes and Jimmy Jones return.
Queen’s Park have been handed a home draw against Gavin Parry’s Connah’s Quay Town and both clubs know plenty about each other.
Park manager Mal Wareham said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Connah’s Quay Town to the Queensway Stadium for what is going to be a test for us.
“It will be a tough game with two old rivals set to battle for a place in the next round.”
Parry, for whom ex-Wrexham and Chester striker Jamie Reed has been in great form in front of goal, said: “We’re not having much luck in the cups this season. But this is one we did well in last season and we’d like a good run in again.
“We’re facing old rivals and it’s always been a decent game between both sides.”
Seb Kidd is another striker bang in form having smashed in 16 goals already this season for Acton, who kick off the weekend action at North East Wales League rivals FC Plas Madoc tonight.
Tomorrow’s other Northern Section ties: Llandyrnog v Cerrigydrudion; Kinmel Bay v Rhuddlan; Llansannan v Bow; Conwy Boro v Nantlle Vale; Trearddur Bay v Gwalchmai; Cemaes Bay v Llanrwst Utd; Llangoed v Pwllheli; Penmaenmawr v Llanrug; Pentraeth v Bethesda Ath; Cefni v Llanfairfechan; Llanystumdwy v Llanberis; Mochdre Sports v Bethesda Rovers.
There’s also a chase for silverware on Sunday in the North East Wales FA’s Veterans Cup.
Sunday’s ties: Deeside Dragons v Llandudno Junction; White Bear v Gresford Colliery; Prestatyn Sports v Buckley Town; Mynydd Isa v Brickfield Rgrs; Hawarden Rgrs v Queen’s Park; Mold Alex v Rhydymwyn; Rhos Utd v Penyffordd; Llay Welfare v Denbigh Wdrs.
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