Although it is early in the season, it is a key period for the JD Cymru Premier clubs with two games to be played within three days over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Monday, 26 August – 14:30
Barry Town United v Newtown
Caernarfon Town v Bala Town
Cardiff Met v Haverfordwest County
Flint Town United v Connah’s Quay
Pen-y-bont v Aberystwyth Town
All Bank Holiday Monday fixtures will kick-off at 14:30 with local derbies taking place in Gwynedd and Flintshire.
Although almost 50 miles separate the two towns, a bit of bite has developed between Caernarfon Town and Bala Town in the Gwynedd district over the past few seasons.
But Bala Town have certainly had the best of things, and although the last four contests between the teams have ended in a draw, the Lakesiders have not lost in 11 games against the Cofis (six wins, five draws).
Only three miles separate Flint Town and Connah’s Quay, but with both teams now playing their home games at Cae-y-Castell, the Nomads will find it strange to have to use the away dressing room on Monday.
It has been a tough start to the season for both clubs with Flint Town United waiting for their first win since their promotion, and Connah’s Quay looking for a new manager after Neil Gibson’s recent departure.
August 2011 was the last time Flint Town United beat Connah’s Quay, and since then the Nomads have not lost any of their 10 games against their rivals (won eight, drawn two), keeping a clean sheet in the last four meetings.
In the capital, Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County will be hoping to continue their good starts to the season, and the last four matches between these two teams have ended even after 90 minutes, therefore it should be a close battle at Cyncoed Campus.
Pen-y-bont have won six of their previous eight meetings Aberystwyth Town (one draw, one loss) and Rhys Griffiths’ team will expect no less than three points at home against the Black & Greens.
Barry Town United won 4-0 at home against Newtown in January, which was their biggest win in the league last season.
But before that Newtown had gone on a run of seven games without defeat against the Dragons (won five, drawn two).
The highlights of the games will be available on Sgorio’s social websites and the best of the weekend’s action on S4C on Monday night.
