Two league matches will be held at the Essity Stadium over the weekend, after the original fixtures were postponed in August due to a burst water pipe in the Flintshire area.
Flint Town United will therefore take on Haverfordwest County on Saturday afternoon, before Connah’s Quay host Briton Ferry Llansawel at lunchtime on Sunday.
Connah’s Quay (2nd) have two games in hand, and if they were to win both games, they would go seven points clear of Pen-y-bont (3rd).
Flint Town Unted, Haverfordwest County and Briton Ferry Llansawel on the other hand, are in a relegation scrap, with only two points separating the three clubs between the 9th and 11th positions.
Saturday, 20 December
Flint Town United (11th) v Haverfordwest County (9th) | Saturday – 14:30
Following the penalty shoot-out triumph over 10-man Pen-y-bont last weekend, Flint Town United have reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup where they’ve been handed a home tie against the lowest remaining club in the competition, Trearddur Bay from the third tier.
Lee Fowler will be dreaming of leading Flint Town United to Welsh Cup victory for the first time since 1954, and secure European football for the first time in their history.
But before the crucial match against Trearddur Bay at the end of January, Flint Town United need to focus on climbing out of the relegation zone.
The Silkmen have only won two of their last 13 league games (vs Llanelli and Briton Ferry), and the club are in danger of dropping into the second tier for the first time since 2020.
After claiming a place in Europe last season, Haverfordwest County are also in a relegation battle this year, with only two points separating the Bluebirds, Briton Ferry Llansawel and Flint Town United between 9th and 11th place.
Having said that, Haverfordwest County have favourable games to play before the split, and reaching the Top Six is still a realistic possibility.
Fixtures before the split:
Flint Town United: HAV (h), CQ (h), BC (a), BALA (h)
Haverfordwest County: FTU (a), LLI (h), MET (a), BFL (h)
Haverfordwest County have beaten Bala Town and Colwyn Bay in recent weeks as well as picking up impressive draws against Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay, so confidence is high in Tony Pennock’s camp.
Haverfordwest County have also won five of their last six contests against Flint Town United, including a 3-1 win at Bridge Meadow in October.
League form:
Flint Town United: ❌➖❌➖➖
Haverfordwest County: ❌➖✅❌✅
Connah’s Quay (2nd) v Briton Ferry Llansawel (10th) | Sunday – 12:30
Connah’s Quay are fairly safe of their place in the Top Six, but a win on Sunday would confirm their spot in the top half for the second phase of the season.
The Nomads have gone on an excellent run of nine league games without defeat, climbing up to second place with two games in hand.
The New Saints may be way ahead at the top of the table, but it’s worth noting that the 2nd placed club will also qualify for Europe this year, and that will be the aim for the Nomads.
Fixtures before the split:
Connah’s Quay: BFL (h), FTU (a), TNS (h), BARR (h) CFON (a) ͏
Briton Ferry Llansawel: CQ (a), PEN (a), BARR (h), HAV (a) ͏
Briton Ferry Llansawel go into the weekend one point above the relegation zone following their draw against Cardiff Met on Tuesday night.
Andy Dyer’s men have only won one of their last nine games (D2, L6), but they’ll need to improve quickly to avoid the drop this season.
Connah’s Quay won 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the Old Road with Harry Franklin hitting a hat-trick for the Nomads after coming on as a half-time substitute.
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ➖✅✅✅✅
Briton Ferry Llansawel: ͏❌✅➖❌➖
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
