THERE are two derby blockbusters to kick off the Ardal North East League tonight.

Rhos Aelwyd host Llangollen Town while Cefn Albion make the short trip to Chirk AAA.

“Really looking forward to the league,” said Rhos both Gareth Jones.

“It’s more competitive and the fact we’ve got more local based sides makes it more exciting again.

“The whole club is looking forward towards our opener against Llan, it’s always a competitive fixture.

“Football is back and it’s a great feeling. I’m looking forward to blooding some of our young lads to tier three as well as building our consistency this season.”

Llangollen boss Luke Maybury is expecting another tight game at Ponciau Banks.

“I sound like a broken record, but we’re always having close games with Rhos,” said Maybury.

“It seems that they have retained all players which always shows a good off season.”

Both sides were winners in the Welsh Cup at the weekend.

Llan hammered Holywell United 6-0 while Rhos edged through on penalties against Gwalchmai.

“It was a great start for us in the cup, but now we get to the nitty gritty of the league,” added Maybury.

Chirk AAA, who will be looking to bounce back to Cymru North at the first attempt, host a Cefn Albion side who will also be challenging at the right of the table this season.

Both teams had good Welsh Cup wins on Saturday, Chirk winning 3-1 at Felinfach while Albion were 4-0 winners at Knighton Town.

“In terms of the league, it may sound cliche, but we just want to continue improving,” said Cefn boss Ian Andrews.

“We finished ninth last season and we will aim to beat that this time out and we’ve been busy assembling a good squad to improve on last season’s position.”

Chirk included five of their U17 side in the squad and they all showed up well - 16-year-old Jayden Sheil having a memorable debut scoring the second goal.

Toby Nash, Ryan Houghton, Charlie Parkinson, Harry Jones and Niall Freeman all return but Dylan Northall and Cam Roberts are ruled out.

Llanuwchllyn host Bow Street and Kerry go to Llansantffraid while in the North West League, Rhyl have a derby date at home to NFA and Porthmadog host Pwllheli.

On Anglesey, local rivals Menai Bridge Tigers and Llangefni Town go head to head while Llanrwst United host Nantlle Vale.

Top spot in the North East Wales Championship is up for grabs at Rhydymwyn tonight.

Holywell United are the visitors with both teams looking to follow up their opening victories of the season.

Yr Wyddgrug also got off to a winning start, Hamilton John (2) and Taylor Morris scoring in a 3-0 win over Deeside Dragons.

Only two games went ahead in the new-look Group A of the North East Wales Reserves Division.

But there were goals galore - 10 of them at Cefn Albion, who edged out Ruthin Town 6-4.

Jordan Williams hit a hat-trick and set up two more. Kai Morris and two-goal Kos Jones completed the scoring.

It finished 4-4 between Hawarden Rangers and Llangollen Town.

Luke Farron, Djimitri Carter, James Redfern and Connor Parry netted for Rangers with Matthew Jones, Josh Pilgrim, Joe Morris and Sam Baksh-Jones replying.

Tonight’s fixtures: Penycae v Rhos Aelwyd; Ruthin v Corwen; Saltney v Mynydd Isa.

In Group B, Ryan Jones (2), Jack Gilmore and Owen Jeffery steered Greenfield to a 4-0 win over FC Queen’s Park.

Adam Pugh (2) and Owen Davies scored as Penyffordd Lions won 3-2 at Lex XI, who hit back through Morgan Bagnall and Michael Parry.

Connah’s Quay Town beat Castell Alun 2-0 thanks to Elliott Jones and Liam Wild.

The Quay are back in action at home to Penyffordd Lions tonight while Queen’s Park go to Lex XI.