This Easter Monday, Bala Town can secure their place in Europe if they can get a better result than Newtown, whilst Barry Town United desperately need a victory to avoid possible relegation.
The New Saints have already been crowned champions and have therefore qualified for Europe, but there’s two more tickets up for grabs, for the league runners-up and the JD Welsh Cup winners (or 3rd placed team if Welsh Cup winners have already qualified).
TOP SIX
Caernarfon Town v Bala Town | Monday – 14:30
An acrobatic volley from Chris Venables sealed a vital victory for Bala Town against Newtown on Friday as the race for Europe reaches its climax.
And with just two games left to play, if Colin Caton’s Lakesiders can extend their three-point lead over Newtown this Monday then Bala Town will clinch the runners-up spot and will qualify for Europe for the eighth time since 2013.
Bala Town have been in fantastic form since December, losing only once in 15 league games.
There will be no European adventure for the Cofis this summer as it’s impossible for Huw Griffiths’ side to reach the top three, but a 4th placed finish would be a respectable end to the Canaries’ campaign.
The clubs have met three times this season with Bala Town winning their two home fixtures, while the points were shared in an exciting contest at the Oval in February (Cfon 3-3 Bala).
League form:
Caernarfon Town: ❌❌✅❌✅
Bala Town: ✅✅➖✅✅
Pen-y-bont v Flint Town United | Monday – 14:30
Both Pen-y-bont and Flint Town United are also out of contention for a top three finish but Pen-y-bont could still qualify for Europe via the Welsh Cup route.
Rhys Griffiths’ gang will have to beat The New Saints for the first time in their history in the JD Welsh Cup final next month if they are to secure European football.
But Pen-y-bont are currently on their worst ever spell in the JD Cymru Premier after losing five matches on the bounce.
Flint Town United have lost seven of their eight games since the split, and the 7-0 defeat at Park Hall on Friday will be a tough one to take for Neil Gibson’s gang who had competed at the top of the table for the first half of the season.
These teams have met three times this season with Flint Town United picking an impressive seven points from a possible nine against Pen-y-bont so far.
League form:
Pen-y-bont: ❌❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United: ✅❌❌❌❌
Newtown v The New Saints | Monday – 14:30
Newtown’s European ambitions suffered a set-back on Friday as the Robins conceded the second spot to Bala Town with just two games left to play.
But Chris Hughes will take comfort in the fact that finishing 3rd has been enough to secure European football in every season since 2015, and if The New Saints could beat Pen-y-bont in the JD Welsh Cup final in two weeks’ time, then the 3rd placed team would qualify for Europe yet again.
Newtown are the only Top Six side to beat The New Saints this season, and the only team to win away at Park Hall in the last 12 months.
But the confidence will be oozing in the Oswestry camp after Anthony Limbrick’s lot thrashed Flint Town United 7-0 on Friday to claim their biggest win since beating the same side 10-0 back in October 2020.
League form:
Newtown: ✅✅✅✅❌
The New Saints: ❌✅➖✅✅
BOTTOM SIX
Connah’s Quay v Haverfordwest County | Monday – 14:30
If Connah’s Quay can get a better result than Barry Town United on Monday, then the Jenner Park Dragons would not be able to climb out of the bottom two before the end of the season.
Haverfordwest County are the only Bottom Six team that are safe from relegation after Connah’s Quay loanee Jordan Davies scored a brace in the Bluebirds’ 2-0 win against Barry Town United on Friday.
Last week it was announced that both Llantwit Major (1st) and Pontypridd (2nd) of the JD Cymru South had failed to secure the domestic license that is necessary to play in the JD Cymru Premier.
Both clubs are likely to appeal the decision, which means it is still uncertain if two clubs will be relegated from the top-flight this summer.
The Nomads are on a run of 10 league games without defeat (won seven, drawn three), and four points from their remaining two games would be enough to secure their place in the league for next season.
Haverfordwest County have had two draws with Connah’s Quay this season, but the Bluebirds narrowly lost on their last visit to the Deeside Stadium (CQ 1-0 Hav).
Haverfordwest County haven’t beaten Connah’s Quay since Februrary 2010, and it’s been almost 20 years since their last away win against the Nomads.
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ➖✅✅➖✅
Haverfordwest County: ➖❌❌✅✅
Cardiff Met v Cefn Druids | Monday – 14:30
A win for Cardiff Met on Monday would secure their place in the league for next season.
Cefn Druids are already relegated as Airbus UK have secured the domestic license after winning the JD Cymru North championship.
Cefn Druids have just six points to their name this season and are in danger of breaking their own record as one of the worst teams to ever play in the JD Cymru Premier.
But the Ancients’ only victory this season came in their previous meeting with Cardiff Met last month (Cefn 2-0 Met).
League form:
Cardiff Met: ❌✅❌➖❌
Cefn Druids: ✅❌❌❌❌
Barry Town United v Aberystwyth Town | Monday – 17:15
It will be the biggest game of the season for these two sides as a point for Aberystwyth Town would secure their safety, while a loss for Barry Town United would confirm their place in the bottom two.
Barry Town United returned to the top-flight in 2017 after a 13-year absence, and Gavin Chesterfield’s squad have twice gone on to represent Wales in Europe since their return.
Aberystwyth Town are one of only two clubs who have been ever-present since the league’s formation back in 1992 (along with Newtown), and Antonio Corbisiero will be determined to keep that record in place.
The clubs have met three times this season with Aberystwyth Town winning their two home fixtures, while the points were shared at Jenner Park in November.
League form:
Barry Town United: ❌✅✅➖❌
Aberystwyth Town: ✅❌✅➖✅
Highlights of all games will be on Sgorio on Monday night at 10:05pm.
