Football: Gap Connah’s Gap sign James McIntosh from Buckley Town

Dec 2 2010 Flintshire Chronicle

GAP Connah’s Quay have underlined their commitment to make an instant return to the Welsh Premier League by swooping for former top-flight hitman James McIntosh.

The 27-year-old has signed for Nomads from Huws Gray Alliance rivals Buckley Town, but it is his time with Airbus UK Broughton for which the striker is best known.

After firing the Wingmakers into the Premier for the first time in their history, Chester-born McIntosh made the transition to a higher standard of football and he remains the Airfield outfit’s all-time leading scorer in the league with 39 goals from 132 starts.

McIntosh, who has also played for Christleton, Mold Alexandra and Colwyn Bay, was being chased by a string of clubs including Nomads’ title rivals Rhyl and Caersws.

But he made it clear Mark McGregor’s men were the only team for him.

McIntosh was scheduled to make his debut against Penrhyncoch on Saturday, but like most of the matches around the country, it was postponed because of the wintry weather.

The one game in the league to beat the big freeze saw Rhyl move level on points with second-placed Nomads with a 4-0 home victory over Guilsfield.

McGregor believes the championship race is really beginning to hot up.

The Nomads player-boss, whose side are scheduled to make the short trip to neighbours Rhydymwyn on Saturday (2.30pm), said: “This period approaching Christmas and New Year will be particularly important and we will need to remain focused and keep the points ticking along to maintain our strong position at the top of the table.

“This time of year starts to see heavy pitches taking their toll, but we have to make sure that doesn’t happen to us and ensure we are professional and get the job done when we go away from home to some of the smaller teams in the league.”

Weather dependent, there is a big game at The Rock on Saturday as Buckley make their way to Rhosymedre to take on a table-topping Cefn Druids. Flint Town United welcome Penrhyncoch to Cae y Castell (also 2.30pm).