IT’S THAT time of year for me to shoot myself in the foot and attract abuse from all areas of Anglesey (and Bangor) once again as I make my pre-season predictions.
With the August fixtures for the Lucas Oil Anglesey League released last week, I thought I’d take a look at (and try to predict the outcome of) the matches that are due to take place throughout the month. So, let the arguments begin in 3, 2, 1 …
*** PLEASE NOTE – Llanfairpwll are not included below as their fixtures haven’t been decided at time of writing!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
Bodorgan v Cefni
This should be an interesting one. Bodorgan are much improved as they proved last season and have brought in some great players this summer too. Newcomers Cefni are a more than capable side but I think the old dogs will get the win here.
Prediction: Bodorgan win
Key player: Harry Jones (Bodorgan) – lively summer signing who will be looking to make an instant impact at his new club.
Holyhead Hotspur Reserves v Arriva Bangor
Again, another fixture that should prove to be a closely fought contest. Arriva were last season’s dark horses and won two cups in their debut Anglesey League campaign. I’m backing Hotspur’s Reserves to be the surprise package this season though and I think they’ll kick things off in style with a win here.
Prediction: Hotspur Res win
Key Player: Casey Gregg (Hotspur Res) – only 16 years old but has the capability to run the game in the middle of the park.
Llandegfan v Bryngwran Bulls
Llandeg should most certainly have a better season this time around having claimed just three points during 2017/18. However, they’ve been handed a very tough start against a side who may just go on to win the league this time around. The Bulls finished as runners-up last season and despite losing key players this summer, they’ve moved quickly to replace them and strengthen their attack. Llandeg’s time will come but I can see only one winner here.
Prediction: Bulls win
Key Player: Andrew Bailey (Bulls) – a physical presence in midfield who could dominate the game.
Pentraeth Reserves v Caergybi
Again, I can only see one winner here. I think Pentraeth Reserves will spring a few surprises this season under new management but this is as tough a start as they could have possibly imagined here. Caergybi have strengthened big time over the summer and their attack looks frightening so this should be a straightforward win for Dale Moffat’s side.
Prediction: Caergybi win
Key Player: Liam Williams (Caergybi) – His vision and passing will be key to unlocking the defence and allowing Owen and Ryan those chances to score.
Valley v Cemaes Bay
Valley have lost some important players this summer with the likes of Jordie Lees, Nik Kontodios, Mark Hamblin and Justin Williams all leaving. I think they’ll have a tough year this time around but should pick up a win here against a Cemaes side who have been busy trying to re-form this summer after folding last season. I think the visitors will get stronger as the season wears on but Barry Rowlands side should win comfortably here.
Prediction: Valley win
Key Player: Mike Williams (Valley) – His sheer size and power up front will cause Cemaes some problems.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 14/WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15
Holyhead Hotspur Reserves v Bryngwran Bulls
This should be an interesting encounter as the youthful and energetic Hotspur Reserves take on the physical and experienced Bulls side. This is a game that really could go either way but with the strength they have moving forward through Craig Moore, Jerome Sillence and so on, I’ll go with Richard Owen’s side for the victory.
Prediction: Bulls win
Key player: Iolo Jones (Bulls) – His determination to win the ball back in midfield and play that killer ball could be key in this one.
Pentraeth Reserves v Llandegfan
A game that should produce a close encounter between two teams that are likely to be further down the table this season. Pentraeth Reserves were the only team that Llandegfan beat in the league last season and so if that doesn’t motivate them I don’t know what will. The new look Pentraeth side will be no pushovers though.
Prediction: Llandegfan win
Key player: Dave Parry (Llandegfan) – Will have the task of grabbing the goals for the visitors and should do just that in this one.
Bodorgan v Valley
Bod’s unpredictability could make them a team to fear at times this season and this is one of those games that I’ve just got a funny feeling about. I fancy them to take the three points here on home soil, although it won’t be easy.
Predicition: Bodorgan win
Key player: Harry Jones – Again, the talented midfielder who has just been brought in at Cae Cob could be the difference in this one. Can certainly change games on his own.
Cefni v Arriva Bangor
Cefni will no doubt be fired up for their first home in the Anglesey League and having beaten Arriva 4-1 in pre-season, they’ll fancy their chances. Of course, that game will mean nothing now and I do think that Kevin Jones’ side will take a win in the end, but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Arriva win
Key player: Henry Caldecott (Cefni) – Will have to be on top of his game to stop Arriva striker Scott Hughes but if he is (like he was for Bulls last season), he could be the star man.
Cemaes Bay v Caergybi
As I said before, Cemaes will most likely improve as the season goes on, but this one should prove to be too much for them. Caergybi’s attacking threats with the likes of Gary Jo Owen, James Ryan and Justin Williams is enough to scare pretty much any defence in this division and they should score a few between them in this one.
Prediction: Caergybi win
Key player: Gary Jo Owen (Caergybi) – Top scorer in the division last season (58) goals and he could run riot here.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17/ SATURDAY AUGUST 18
Arriva Bangor v Bodorgan
It looks like being quite a tough start to the season for Arriva this time around and Bodorgan won’t make things easy for them. I do however think that Kevin Jones’ side should have enough quality to take the three points in the end in this one.
Prediction: Arriva win
Key player: Scott Hughes (Arriva) – If he gets the better of Bod’s defence then it could be a tricky afternoon for the visitors in trying to keep him quiet.
Bryngwran Bulls v Cemaes Bay
This one will be another tough encounter for Cemaes as they’ve been handed a nightmare start by the league. Richard Owen’s Bulls should find this one to be a comfortable home victory and their experience will shine through.
Prediction: Bulls win
Key player: Jerome Sillence (Bulls) – Top scorer for Llanerchymedd last season who will be looking to bag a few goals for his new side here.
Caergybi v Cefni
It will be interesting to see how Cefni get on against the league favourites here. Both teams play with an sense of aggression about them and so it’s likely to be a feisty encounter. I’m backing Moffat’s side to take the victory eventually though as they should just have that edge over their newly-formed opponents.
Prediction: Caergybi win
Key player: George Hibbert (Caergybi) – New signing from Trearddur Bay who never stops running and working hard in the middle. Could be vital if Cybi are to grab a win here.
Llandegfan v Holyhead Hotspur Reserves
Another tough home clash for the new look Llandeg here as they come up against the exciting Hotspur Reserves. The latter, although lacking in experience in this league, should have enough quality to come out on top in the end.
Prediction: Hotspur Reserves win
Key player: Casey Gregg (Hotspur Res) – Again, Gregg will be vital to success here as if he has the chance to find some space in midfield he will no doubt use it well.
Valley v Pentraeth Reserves
The last time these two sides met, Valley ran out 8-1 winners. Things are much different this time around though with plenty of new faces in at both clubs. It will be closer that’s for sure but I do think that Valley will come out on top as they have retained the members from their strong defence from last season.
Prediction: Valley win
Key player: Elliot Patterson (Valley) – This one is most likely to be won or lost in the midfield, as both teams have a strong core in the middle of the park. Patterson could make all the difference with his no-nonsense approach.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21/ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22
Arriva Bangor v Pentraeth Reserves
Arriva should come out on top in this one but I think Pentraeth will give them a decent game. The home side’s attack should prove to be the main difference in the end.
Prediction: Arriva win
Key player: Scott Hughes (Arriva) – Forward has the job of terrorising that Pentraeth defence and if on top of his game he will do just that.
Bryngwran Bulls v Bodorgan
Bodorgan did manage to beat the Bulls in the Cup last season and always made things difficult for them. This time around though, I can’t see the home side dropping points in the opening month and this should be another straightforward win for them.
Prediction: Bulls win
Key player: Craig Moore (Bulls) – Should have enough experience and desire to break through that determined Bodorgan defence.
Cefni v Llandegfan
I’m certain that once Cefni find their feet in the division, they could be a team to watch. With the likes of Nathan Lewis and Henry Caldecott joining from Bryngwran Bulls, it seems they already have a strong core within the starting eleven. Llandegfan will be no pushovers but the home side should be fairly comfortable winners here.
Predicition: Cefni win
Key player: Nathan Lewis (Cefni) – Has found his feet quickly at his new club and could be a real handful for that Llandeg back four to try and defend against.
Valley v Caergybi
Valley sprung a few surprises on a newly-formed Caergbyi side last season but I can’t see them having such luck this time around. However, the home side’s defence can be tricky to break down at times and as such I expect them to make this a tough one for Dale Moffat’s side.
Predicition: Caergybi win
Key player: Liam Williams (Caergybi) – His creativity will once again be the crucial element against his former club.
Holyhead Hotspur Reserves v Cemaes Bay
Two new sides to the league, but one should end up outclassing the other on home soil. I’m certain that the youngsters at Hotspur Reserves will be raring to go for their first home game of the season and as such I can only see them winning this encounter.
Prediction: Hotspur Res win
Key player: Robert Jones (Hotspur Res) – forward who knows exactly where the goal is. The 18-year-old’s clinical finishing could be the difference in this one.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
Caergybi v Arriva Bangor
Arriva continuously managed to frustrate Cybi at times last season and even beat them in a cup final. The last two encounter between these two sides ended 5-5 and 6-4 (n Arriva’s favour) so there are bound to be goals.
Prediction: Draw
Key player: Gary Jo Owen (Caergybi) – Had a great goal scoring record against Arriva last season and will be the star man up top again this time around.
Valley v Cefni
I fully expect this one to be a bit of a thriller. Both sides look comfortable on the attack and fairly solid at the back too, so this one really could go either way. However, I just think that Valley have that edge and should come away with a vital 3 points here.
Prediction: Valley win
Key player: Dewi Thomas (Valley) – His experience could prove to be vital here as Valley look to handle a lively Cefni side.
Llandegfan v Cemaes Bay
Having not won a home game in the league since re-forming last summer, Llandeg will be looking to finally end that curse against newcomers Cemaes. On the other hand, the visitors could also be looking for their first three points of the season so it could be a tasty encounter.
Prediction: Cemaes win
Key player: Danny Roberts (Llandegfan) – New signing who has added a real bite to Llandeg’s midfield. He’ll be highly important as they try to get a win in this one.
Bodorgan v Holyhead Hotspur Reserves
If my predictions are right (although to be fair, they often haven’t been!), then Hotspur Reserves will have enjoyed quite the first month in the Anglesey League by the end of August. A trip to Bodorgan won’t be easy by any means, but I still expect them to come away with another three points here.
Prediction: Hotspur Res win
Key player: Sam Hallas (Bodorgan) – if the home side are to get anything out of this one then their skipper will have to be at his very best in the middle of the park.
Pentraeth Reserves v Bryngwran Bulls
Another tough one for Pentraeth Reserves, but at least they get Caergybi, Arriva and Bulls out of the way in the opening month – which could help them in the long run. I can’t see anything other than a Bulls win here – which would mean they claim 4/4 wins in the opening month of the 2018/19 campaign.
Prediction: Bulls win
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Agree with my result predictions? Let me know in the comments section below …
AFEFootballNews 
Robert Jones is not 20 years old, he isn’t even 19 yet he’s 18, could you please change this information, thank you.
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