BARRY OWEN says that the Mold Alex players have exceeded his expectations this season.

Alex climbed into the top-three with their 4-2 success over Llay Welfare last time out and they will be looking to maintain their lofty position when they play host to Penrhyncoch tomorrow.

Boss Owen told the club’s X site: “We’re going quite well at the moment.

“Better than what I expected when I came in over the summer, but, to be honest, there are no easy games.

“But (on Saturday), from the first whistle to the last, I thought if there was one team that was going to win, it was us.”

Damese Kiwanda’s double helped Alex to their latest success and Mold can boast the third best back-line in Cymru North at this point of the campaign.

Assistant boss Liam Groves has been making his case for the defence.

He told Cymru Sport: “That’s something that... Baz takes pride in our defensive work.

“It’s something that he really works on with the boys and he really focuses in.

“It’s an area that when we came into this team, you know, we knew we needed to build strong.

“Everything comes from the back and any success we’ll have will always start from the back-line.

“It’s down to the boys to carry out what we ask of them and to communicate and to get our sort of youngsters into the game.”

Eddie Maurice-Jones is looking forward to a “huge” encounter as Gresford Athletic target three points on their travels this evening.

Athletic head to Llandudno for their next contest, with both sides currently occupying spots in the bottom-five.

“It’s another huge game,” stressed Maurice-Jones, who has Charley Edge back in the squad.

“It’s the teams around us we have to perform against.

“Llandudno are not in great form, but I have had reports and they’re not a bad side.

“They’re going to be like us.They’re going to drum a team when they click. I hope it’s not us! We have got to be on it.”