SHOCK DEFEAT
REVENGE MISSION FOR THE CANARIES
CAERNARFON Town will be out for revenge when they visit longtime rivals Holyhead Hotspur this Saturday (2.30pm).
The Canaries suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat at the hands of the Holy Islanders in the second week of the season.
Since that result, the Cofis had embarked on a 12-match unbeaten run in the Huws Gray Alliance before hosting Porthmadog on Boxing Day.
The outcome of that muchawaited local derby was unknown when the Herald went to press this week.
Holyhead, meanwhile, have shown erratic form since that success at The Oval on August 19, although after three away reverses on the bounce they did rediscover winning ways with a 1-0 triumph at basement side Llandudno Junction last Saturday.
This Saturday also sees Porthmadog welcome Junction to the Traeth for another league encounter.
Four months ago, Port ran out resounding 7-1 away winners over the Railwaymen.
The Huws Gray Alliance midseason review published last week reflects very favourably on tabletoppers Caernarfon Town.
The Canaries had scored the most goals in the league (56) and are unbeaten on their travels.
They also boast the longest unbeaten run of 12 matches, unbroken before Tuesday’s meeting with Porthmadog.
Nathan Craig is fourth top-marksman with 12 goals, while joint fifth are Darren Thomas and Porthmadog’s Joe Chaplin with 11 apiece.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Alliance League returns this weekend after a two-week break.
Llanrug United’s 11-match unbeaten record in Division One is likely to be tested to the limit when they visit second-place Llangefni Town on Saturday.
The teams met earlier this month in the Cookson Cup and it was an absolute thriller which saw ‘ Rug lead 2-0, then trail 3-2 only to clinch a 4-3 victory with two injurytime goals.
Elsewhere, Penrhyndeudraeth visit Barmouth and Dyffryn, Llanberis face a tough test at Llandudno Albion and struggling Nantlle Vale are away to Llanrwst United.
Llanberis have faced Albion already this season in the Welsh Cup and it was the Llandudno side which edged a 3-2 verdict in the first qualifying round tussle at Ffordd Padarn.
Blaenau Amateurs are home to Y Felinheli in Division Two. Fixtures Friday, December 29 Huws Gray Alliance (7.30pm) Denbigh Town v Gresford Ath- letic. Saturday, December 30 Huws Gray Alliance (2.30pm unless stated)
Airbus UK Broughton v Queen’s Park, Holyhead Hotspur v Caernarfon Town, Penrhyncoch v Guilsfield, Rhyl v Holywell Town, Ruthin Town v Flint Town United (2pm). Lock Stock Welsh Alliance (2pm) Division One: Barmouth & Dyffryn Utd v Penrhyndeudraeth, Greenfield v Llandyrnog Utd, Llandudno Albion v Llanberis, Llangefni Town v Llanrug Utd, Llanrwst Utd v Nantlle Vale, St Asaph City v Conwy Borough, Trearddur Bay United v Mynydd Llandegai.
Division Two: Aberffraw v Llannerchymedd, Blaenau Amateurs v Y Felinheli, Cemaes Bay v Amlwch Town, Llanfairpwll v Bodedern Athletic, Llannefydd v Mochdre Sports, Meliden v Prestatyn Sports, Penmaenmawr Phoenix v Glan Conwy, Pentraeth v Gaerwen.