Airbus Broughton UK and Penybont, the leading clubs in tier two of Welsh domestic football, are among 52 clubs who have applied for a place in the new Welsh Championship next season.
From season 2019-20 all clubs in tier two must have certification to play in the new Conference North and South leagues.
All 32 existing tier two clubs are keen to play in the new set-up, while 20 tier three teams from the Welsh Alliance, Welsh National League, Mid Wales League and Welsh Football League Division Two have also officially declared their interest.
Airbus look likely to be playing Welsh Premier League football next season. They lead the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, 11 points clear of their nearest rivals with 11 games to play.
5️⃣2️⃣ applicants confirmed for Tier 2.
— FA WALES (@FAWales) January 10, 2019
Manager Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont, meanwhile, are top of Welsh League Division One by two points and drew 3-3 against Afan Lido in their latest fixture.
Alliance leaders Airbus came from behind to win 2-1 at Ruthin Town.
Ryan Jones gave Ruthin the lead after five minutes, but by half-time Lewis Buckley and Ryan Edwards had put the Airmen ahead.
Ruthin almost doubled their lead when a shot hit the angle of crossbar and far post, but the Wingmakers started to find their feet and Ryan Edwards had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside.
Buckley’s equaliser came after 34 minutes. Goalkeeper Ryan Goldston called for a Curtis Strong cross only to drop the ball at the feet of Buckley, who netted from 10 yards for his ninth goal of the season.
Penybont audioboom post Afan Lido 3-3 draw. @RhysGriffiths9 https://t.co/EACSveUGBU
— Penybont FC (@PenybontFC_) January 13, 2019
When Goldston dropped another Strong cross, Asa Hamilton blasted over the bar with the goal at his mercy, but Edwards could hardly miss when Buckley’s excellent byline cross eluded Goldston and found him unmarked a yard out.
Buckley was unlucky to see a shot hit the base of a post before the break and Matty McGinn, returning to the side from injury, shaved the bar with a 20 yards volley early in the second half.
A Ruthin effort was cleared off the line while, at the other end, a Brady McGilloway cross hit the bar with Goldston just managing to drop on the ball.
Penybont were were 2-1 and 3-2 against Lido at the Kymco Stadium and fought back to earn a point despite having Kieran Howard sent off during the first half.
Luke Borelli put Penybont ahead after two minutes, while Lewis Holmes was close to an equaliser for Lido when he headed against the bar following a corner.
Borrelli was denied by former Cardiff City youth goalkeeper Rory McCreesh, who made a good block with his knees to keep the shot out.
Lido levelled when Craig Jones whipped a free-kick into the penalty area and Ben Thomas headed into the top corner.
Just before half-time Penybont’s Howard was sent off for a second yellow card after a late challenge on Sacha Walters.
Mark Jones put Lido in front from a Walters pass after the interval before Borrelli equalised from a penalty after Kane Owen was fouled by goalkeeper McCreesh.
Alex Gammond headed in from a Walters corner to put Lido 3-2 in front, but Penybont hit back again when Marcus Griffiths scored.
Penybont: Rhys Wilson, Adam Carpenter, Kane Owen, Kieran Howard, Ali Dalton, Sam Rodon, James Saddler, Cullen Kinsella, Curtis Hutson (Kostya Georgeievsky), Luke Borelli, Owain Warlow (Marcus Griffiths). Subs not used: Ben Symmons, Mackensie Kay, Rhys Griffiths.
Afan Lido: Rory McCreesh, Craig Jones, James Parry, Alex Gammond, Lewis Holmes, Ben Thomas (Jack Fleming), Liam McCreesh (capt), Jack Hurley, Mark Jones, Chris Hartland, Sasha Walters. Subs: Jack Todd, Carlos Indjia, Noah Daley, Patrick Finneral.
Referee: Richard Harrington.
In other Huws Gray Alliance matches, Porthmadog took a 16th minute lead thanks to a Shaun Cavanagh penalty at home to Flint Town United and the same player doubled their lead before half-time.
Gerald Kinsella reduced the deficit 10 minutes into the second and scored a second on 75 minutes to give Flint a share of the points
Jordon McCarter’s penalty gave Gresford Athletic the lead eight minutes before half-time against visitors Guilsfield.
Arron Edwards levelled for the Guils nine minutes into the second half only for Jack Chaloner to restore Gresford’s lead. A late Adam Jenkins goal for Guilsfield saw the game finish 2-2.
Holyhead Hotspur recorded only their second league success of the season, winning 1-0 thanks to a last minute Mel McGuinness goal at Llanrhaeadr YM.
Buckley Town led at the break at Conwy Borough thanks to a Lewis Horn goal, while Guto Hughes levelled for Conwy two minutes into the second half.
Shaun Tinsley put Buckley ahead again before a late Conor Harwood goal saw Conwy take a share of the spoils.
Some snaps from Friday’s 5-0 Home victory against Denbigh.
Credit: NorthWalesChronicle pic.twitter.com/y3r76xlAuf— BANGOR CITY (@bangorcityfc) January 14, 2019
Bangor City won 5-0 at home against Denbigh Town, while Prestatyn Town earned a hard-fought win against visitors Holywell Town. Oliver Buckley scored the only goal of the game after three minutes.
Rhyl also won away thanks to a first half Barry Torrance goal in a 1-0 victory at Penrhyncoch.
Applications for the 2019-20 second tier have been received from the following clubs:
Huws Gray Alliance League
•Airbus UK Broughton
•Bangor City
•Buckley Town
•Conwy Borough
•Denbigh Town
•Flint Town United
•Gresford Athletic
•Guilsfield
•Holyhead Hotspur
•Holywell Town
•Llanrhaeader
•Penrhyncoch
•Porthmadog
•Prestatyn Town
•Rhyl
•Ruthin Town
Welsh Football League Division One
•Afan Lido
•Ammanford Town
•Briton Ferry
•Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC
•Cwmamman United
•Cwmbran Celtic
•Goytre
•Goytre United
•Haverfordwest County
•Llantwit Major
•Penybont
•Pontypridd Town
•Port Talbot Town
•Taffs Well
•Ton Pentre
•Undy Athletic
Tier three clubs
•Llangefni Town (Welsh Alliance League)
•Brickfield Rangers (Welsh National League)
•Brymbo (Welsh National League)
•Chirk AAA (Welsh National League)
•Corwen (Welsh National League)
•Mold Alexandra (Welsh National League)
•Berriew (Mid Wales League)
•Caersws (Mid Wales League)
•Llandrindod Wells (Mid Wales League)
•Llanfair United (Mid Wales League)
•Llanidloes Town (Mid Wales League)
•Abergavenny Town (Welsh Football League)
•Caerau Ely (Welsh Football League)
•Caldicot Town (Welsh Football League)
•Croesyceiliog (Welsh Football League)
•Monmouth Town (Welsh Football League)
•Pontardawe Town (Welsh Football League)
•Risca United (Welsh Football League)
•Swansea University (Welsh Football League)
•STM Sports (Welsh Football League)