NEW Llay Welfare boss Jordan Scott was feeling the heat last week and that’s still the case as he takes on the firefighting role of staving off relegation.
Scott, who is part of the education programme at Tranmere Rovers, became Llay’s third boss this season after Phil Hudson parted company with the Cymru North outfit last week.
Scott was on holiday in Tunisia during half-term and missed the 3-0 defeat at Buckley Town which left Llay rooted to the bottom of the table.
With Mike Gadie and Steve Halliwell - the coaches who led Llay to Ardal North League play-off glory last May - also standing down, Scott is the man ‘The Welly’ have turned to and he’s ready for the challenge.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve got enough games to turn things around and that’s what we’ll be trying to do,” said Scott, whose side host title-chasing Colwyn Bay tomorrow afternoon.
While most managers adopt a ‘one game at a time’ approach, Scott is looking at the bigger picture and believes ‘kinder’ fixtures in 2025 will be key to whether Llay hold onto their place in Welsh football’s second tier.
“We have got a good run of games and those are the ones we have to get points from,” added Scott, who was boosted by a turnout of 26 players for this week’s training session.
“The three-point deduction hasn’t helped our cause but we’ve been unlucky this season and it’s not as if we’re getting thumped every week.”
Colwyn Bay - managed by former Chester, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town striker Michael Wilde - have emerged as serious title challengers this season.
Last weekend’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Flint Mountain kept them in second place and just four points behind leaders Airbus.
Flint Mountain manager Aden Shannon feels his side should have taken a point at the Bay and said: “It was a tough game but one night we should have got something out of.
“They’re a good side but we’ve got another tough battle on Saturday at Caersws in what will probably be tough conditions.
“It’s one where we will go believing we can get three points.
“Unfortunately our captain, Joe Holt, is suspended, Luke Johnson is 50-50 but luckily we have some good youngsters to step in.”
Leaders Airbus will be looking to put on a good display as they head to Central Park to tackle Denbigh Town this evening.
The Wingmakers maintained their four-point advantage at the top with last week’s 4-1 success over Bangor 1876, but boss Mark Allen is looking for an improved showing in the next run-out.
Allen (pictured right) told Cymru Sport: “It’s exactly where we want to be.
“We know we’re a scalp for everybody and we have to be at our best, which we weren’t (against Bangor).
“So, hopefully make sure that we are prepared and give a better performance with better quality against Denbigh.”
It is a third consecutive Friday night tussle for Airbus and Allen added: “I think the lads do enjoy it, a Friday night, so they can have their weekend and I enjoy it if we perform better!”
Elsewhere this evening, Bangor 1876 host Ruthin Town. Tomorrow, Llandudno head to Penrhyncoch.
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