CHIRK AAA have continued their recruitment drive in a bid to kickstart their JD Cymru North survival bid.

The Colliers remain rooted to the foot of the table with January a month of comings and goings at Holyhead Road.

The Colliers have now swooped to sign forward James Smallwood from fellow strugglers Llanidloes Town while Ryan Dean has also made the step up from JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League side Churchstoke.

Smallwood is a product of the Newtown Football Club academy before joining the Daffodils in the summer.

However Llanidloes have endured a turbulent campaign and are currently on their third manager of the season which has also seen the Powys club have a busy time in the January transfer window.

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Chirk have capitalised to snap up Smallwood.

Coach Gary Jones said: James is a player I’ve admired all season. After failing to land him in the summer he comes at a key time where we feel he can get us results.

“Ryan joins after a long stint with Churchstoke and primarily links up with our reserves.”

TNS goalkeeper Jack Edwards has also signed for the Colliers on loan along with defender James Etherington from North East Wales League side Brymbo.

The players replace six players to have departed since the opening of the January window with goalkeeper Oli Farebrother joining Jake Jones at Porthmadog while Dale Davies has linked up with Bangor 1876.

Ed Baker has joined Ardal North East League side Llansantffraid while Iwan Hardy has joined Brickfield Rangers and Josh Phillips has joined Wrexham-based Lex.

Meanwhile Chirk host Caersws on Saturday with Jones confident the Colliers can spring a shock

He said: “Caersws have had a great season, we played out a tight match first time around. 

“We’ve had three strong performances recently but only taken one point so we are looking to convert a performance into a result this weekend.”

Meanwhile Llanrhaeadr host Holyhead Hotspur in the sixth round of the Dragon Designs Welsh Trophy with the Powys side looking to set aside a frustrating Ardal

North East League campaign by maintaining their run in Wales’ third biggest cup competition.

Llansantffraid return to league action and handed an immediate chance ti exact revenge on Cefn Albion following last week’s home defeat when they travel to Brickfield for the reverse fixture.

Four Crosses will also be making a long trip with John Reid’s men travelling to Tywyn Bryncrug in the MMP Central Wales League North while Llanfyllin Town travel to league leaders Kerry bidding to complete an upset.