MATT THOMPSON has got divided loyalties at this point of the year.

He has helped Llay Welfare to achieve a top-two spot on the football pitch and he was involved in last week’s win over Llannefydd which made sure of a play-off berth.

However, during the warmer months, he is captain of Gresford in the Premier Division.

Football meant he missed Gresford’s defeat at the hands of defending champions St Asaph, but he’s back at the helm for tomorrow’s clash at home to Mochdre.

“They’ve had a fantastic start,” said Thompson. “I knew it would be a difficult first few games for us. Mochdre have strengthened this year and I expect them to be challenging for the league.”

Last season’s runners-up Northop are up-and-running following last week’s maximum points win over Gwersyllt Park and they’ll be aiming to maintain their momentum at home to Bangor tomorrow.

Skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick said: “It was really good to get off the mark against them.

“We’ve got to keep the momentum going forward now.”

Reflecting on the orange ball that’s now in use, Ryan-Beswick admitted: “It’s definitely more of a batsman’s game.

“It’ll do a little bit for the first 10 overs, but after that it’s a different game, really.

“You have got to look at the conditions and go from there.

“We have obviously taken some seamers out of the team and brought batsmen in.”

Jordan Evans and Henry Dowd will come in for Northop tomorrow.

The Premier Division match of the day will see Brymbo at home to Menai Bridge.

Skipper Dan Parry was in stunning form as Brymbo gained a maximum points haul from their trip to Llandudno last time out.

Parry bagged 4-4 in his 5.2 overs - and two of the runs came from wides, leaving him to quip: “That could have been 4-2!”

A chase of 51 without loss meant Brymbo picked up the full allocation of 15 points and Parry said: “It was the perfect day. Jayman and (James) Claybrook batted really well.

“They absorbed a lot of pressure.”

This followed a narrow opening day loss to St Asaph, so it’s been a decent start to the season for Brymbo.

“We would have liked to have won both,” added Parry. “But 19 points out of the first two games is only three points off two wins.”

Looking at the situation prior to the big meeting with Menai Bridge, Parry said: “I was expecting a good half to be going for it (the league).

“It’s a very competitive league this year. There’s no easy games. There’s no whipping boys.”

Sam Aplin will come into the Brymbo line-up tomorrow.

Gwersyllt Park are still searching for their first win of the Premier Division campaign and they’ll be hoping it comes at Ystrad Road against Denbigh tomorrow.

It has been a testing start to life in the top tier for Park, who have had to come up against multiple champions Menai Bridge and last season’s runners-up Northop in their opening two contests.

In further action, St Asaph play host to Llandudno.