The first phase of the JD Cymru Premier season has come to an end, the league has been split in half and for the remaining 10 matches the Top Six sides will be competing to finish in the top three European spots, while the Bottom Six clubs will be battling for 7th place to get into the play-offs.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE
Caernarfon Town (6th) v Barry Town United (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Since the Welsh Cup has been cancelled again this year, the 3rd placed team at the end of the season will qualify for Europe this summer, therefore both Caernarfon Town and Barry Town United will do everything they can to close the gap on Bala Town in their remaining 10 fixtures.
Only six points separate Barry Town United and Bala Town at the start of the second phase, while Caernarfon are 10 points adrift of the European places, but that will not deter Huw Griffiths’ ambitions for the Cofis.
Caernarfon Town have won five of their last six home matches against Barry Town United, but the Dragons have managed to finish one position above the Canaries in the Top Six in the previous two seasons.
Previous results: Barry Town United 3-1 Caernarfon Town, Caernarfon Town 2-0 Barry Town United
Form guide:
Caernarfon Town: ➖✅✅✅❌
Barry Town United: ❌✅❌✅✅
Connah’s Quay (1st) v Pen-y-bont (5th) | Saturday – 14:30
Connah’s Quay will begin the second phase three points clear at the top of the table, but the Nomads will not be resting on their laurels since the team at the summit at the time of the split has failed to go on to win the league in the last two seasons.
Andy Morrison’s men have won 12 of their last 13 matches, only dropping points once since November in a goalless draw with Pen-y-bont.
The last three meetings between these sides have been extremely tight affairs with only one goal scored in three games (Pen 0-0 CQ, CQ 1-0 Pen, Pen 0-0 CQ).
Previous results: Connah’s Quay 1-0 Pen-y-bont, Pen-y-bont 0-0 Connah’s Quay
Form guide:
Connah’s Quay: ✅➖✅✅✅
Pen-y-bont: ➖✅❌➖✅
Bala Town (3rd) v The New Saints (2nd) | Saturday – 17:15 (S4C)
The New Saints’ new head coach, Anthony Limbrick will take charge for the first time this Saturday as the Oswestry outfit look to keep the pressure on their rivals Connah’s Quay.
Australian born Limbrick, who has experience of managing in the National League with Woking, will be hoping his new club can continue their fine form since TNS have netted 15 goals in their last three games.
But the Saints have only won one of their last five meetings with Bala Town, and the Lakesiders will be determined not to lose their grasp on the all-important 3rd spot.
Previous results: Bala Town 1-1 The New Saints, The New Saints 0-0 Bala Town
Form guide:
Bala Town: ✅❌❌❌✅
The New Saints: ➖❌✅✅✅
PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE
Aberystwyth Town (8th) v Newtown (9th) | Friday – 19:45
Aberystwyth Town have only lost one in six since the league restart, climbing from the bottom of the table up to 8th position.
Newtown are only one point behind their mid-Wales foes, and both clubs will be aiming to close the gap on Haverfordwest County in the race to secure a place in the play-offs.
The Robins have lost three games on the bounce, including a 1-0 defeat away at Aberystwyth Town last month.
Previous results: Newtown 1-1 Aberystwyth Town, Aberystwyth Town 1-0 Newtown
Form guide:
Aberystwyth Town: ✅❌✅➖✅
Newtown: ✅✅❌❌❌
Cefn Druids (12th) v Haverfordwest County (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
Haverfordwest County start the second phase eight points clear of the pack in the Bottom Six, but unfortunately for the Bluebirds, they are ineligible to compete in the play-offs as current manager Wayne Jones does not hold the appropriate license to manage in European competitions.
Cefn Druids remain bottom of the table following a frustrating run of seven games without a win (lost six, drawn one).
Previous results: Haverfordwest County 1-1 Cefn Druids, Cefn Druids 4-1 Haverfordwest County
Form guide:
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌➖❌
Haverfordwest County: ❌✅❌✅❌
Flint Town United (11th) v Cardiff Met (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
Both these clubs will hope to turn their disappointing seasons around during the second phase as Cardiff Met are currently on a streak of nine games without a victory, while Flint Town United have failed to score in five of their last six matches.
Flint Town United were the only club to lose twice against Cardiff Met in the first phase, but with the play-offs realistically out of reach it might be a case of planning ahead to next season for these two sides.
Previous results: Cardiff Met 2-1 Flint Town United, Flint Town United 0-1 Cardiff Met
Form guide:
Flint Town United: ❌❌✅❌❌
Cardiff Met: ❌❌➖❌❌
Highlights of all games will be on Sgorio every Monday at 17:30.
