Connah’s Quay have climbed to the summit, but Andy Morrison’s men face a tough trip to Pen-y-bont on Saturday, while The New Saints travel to Haverfordwest County live on Sgorio.
Saturday, 13 March
Cefn Druids (12th) v Bala Town (3rd) | Saturday – 14:30
Once again, Cefn Druids find themselves rock bottom following their third consecutive defeat on Tuesday night at home against Newtown.
The Ancients have started their search for a new manager after Bruno Lopes was relieved of his duties this week having been unable to return from Portugal for the league restart due to Covid restrictions.
Bala Town are the only side who remain unbeaten away from home this season, and Colin Caton’s crew are on an impressive run of 13 games without defeat.
The reverse fixture ended dramatically back in September, with Nathan Peate netting the winner in the 91st minute against his former club (Bala 2-1 Cefn), but the Lakesiders have only won once in their last five visits to The Rock.
Form Guide:
Cefn Druids: ✅✅❌❌❌
Bala Town: ➖➖✅✅➖
Pen-y-bont (4th) v Connah’s Quay (1st) | Saturday – 14:30
After winning the Flintshire derby on Tuesday night, Connah’s Quay climbed to the top of the league, and that’s where the Nomads will hope to stay following a run of nine consecutive victories.
But Pen-y-bont will be no push-overs as Rhys Griffiths’ side beat Barry Town in midweek to go 4th in the table.
Both clubs have seen vast improvements in their results this season as Connah’s Quay are currently 10 points better off than they were at this stage last season (after 18 games), while Pen-y-bont have gathered 17 more points than they did last year.
Form Guide:
Pen-y-bont: ✅✅❌❌✅
Connah’s Quay: ✅✅✅✅✅
Barry Town United (5th) v Aberystwyth Town (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
With five wins from their opening six fixtures, Barry Town United were amongst the front runners at the start of the season, but with only three wins in their last 12 games the Dragons have dropped to the 5th position and are in danger of missing out on the Top Six.
The 11-week-break has benefitted Aberystwyth abundantly as the Black & Greens were bottom of the league having lost six consecutive games before Christmas, but after picking up four points from their two games since the restart they are now out of the relegation zone.
Barry Town United have a magnificent record against Aberystwyth Town as Gavin Chesterfield’s side haven’t lost any of their nine meetings since Barry were promoted in 2017, winning their last seven games against the Ceredigion club.
Form Guide:
Barry Town United: ❌❌✅✅❌
Aberystwyth Town: ❌❌❌➖✅
Newtown (8th) v Cardiff Met (9th) | Saturday – 14:30
Both clubs will be desperate to keep their hopes of reaching the Top Six alive, but it’s fair to say that a defeat for either team would take them out of the race.
Newtown have been revitalised since the restart, climbing out of the relegation zone and into 9th place with wins against Pen-y-bont and Cefn Druids.
Cardiff Met, on the other hand, have lost four games on the bounce, and unfortunately for the students, home advantage has been a key factor in this fixture over recent years, with the home side winning the last eight meetings between these clubs.
Form Guide:
Newtown: ❌➖✅❌✅
Cardiff Met: ➖❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United (11th) v Caernarfon Town (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
Flint Town United are back in the drop zone after two 1-0 defeats at home against Pen-y-bont and Connah’s Quay.
Caernarfon Town have gone five games unbeaten, but Huw Griffiths was disappointed not to pick up three points on Saturday as the Cofis conceded in the 96th minute to share the spoils with Aberystwyth Town.
Caernarfon haven’t lost any of their last eight meetings with the Silkmen, winning seven of those matches.
Form Guide:
Flint Town United: ❌❌✅❌❌
Caernarfon Town: ✅✅✅➖➖
Haverfordwest County (6th) v The New Saints (2nd) | Saturday – 17:15 (Live on S4C)
After almost 20 years of service to the club and nearly four years at the helm, Scott Ruscoe’s sacking as manager of The New Saints came as a bit of a surprise, and Chris Seargeant will now step up to take charge temporarily.
And the expectations will be high on Seargeant in his first test, as The New Saints have won their last eight meetings with Haverfordwest County, and are unbeaten in their last 19 games against the Bluebirds since 2004.
But the Pembrokeshire posse have been inspiring this season and are battling to make the cut into the Top Six, which would secure their highest league position since finishing 4th in 2004/05.
Welsh international, Jazz Richards could make his first start for Haverfordwest County on Saturday in what will be their last home game ahead of the league split.
Form Guide:
Haverfordwest County: ➖❌✅✅❌
The New Saints: ✅❌✅✅➖
