The New Saints, Connah’s Quay and Pen-y-bont have secured their place in the Top Six, and with only two rounds of matches left to play until the split there are five clubs competing for the final three spots among the elite.
Two points from their next two games would be enough for both Caernarfon Town (4th) and Colwyn Bay (5th) to claim their place in the top half, while Barry Town United (6th), Cardiff Met (7th) and Haverfordwest County (8th) still have some work to do.
And Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County will meet in a crucial clash on Tuesday night, before Barry Town travel to Briton Ferry on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 30 December
Cardiff Met (7th) v Haverfordwest County (8th) | Tuesday – 19:45
It was a costly defeat for Cardiff Met against Barry Town United on Boxing Day as the students slipped out of the top half with just two games to go until the split.
After the joy of beating The New Saints in the third round of the Welsh Cup, Cardiff Met have only won one of their five games since then, and that victory came late on against the 10-men of Llanelli Town (12th).
Cardiff Met have reached the Top Six in each of the last three seasons; therefore, it would be a blow for Ryan Jenkins if his squad failed to make the cut this year.
Next fixtures:
Cardiff Met: HAV (h), PEN (a)
Haverfordwest County: MET (a), BFL (h)
Mathematically, the dream of reaching the Top Six is not over for Haverfordwest County, but the Bluebirds would have to win their next two games and rely on a few favours from others if they are to rise above both Cardiff Met and Barry Town United.
Haverfordwest County are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings with Cardiff Met (W2, D5), and a win for Tony Pennock’s team would leave them level on points with the Archers going into the last game of the first phase of the season.
A win for Haverfordwest County on Tuesday would also mean that Caernarfon Town and Colwyn Bay were guaranteed a Top Six spot for the second phase.
League form:
Cardiff Met: ͏✅➖✅➖❌
Haverfordwest County: ✅❌✅➖✅
Wednesday, 31 December
Briton Ferry Llansawel (10th) v Barry Town United (6th) | Wednesday – 12:30
Barry Town United’s excellent run continues, with the Dragons unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions conceding just four goals during that period (nine clean sheets).
Steve Jenkins’ side are therefore in a promising position to secure their place in the Top Six for the first time since the 2020/21 season, and five points from their last three games would be enough to qualify.
Next fixtures:
Briton Ferry Llansawel: BARR (h), HAV (a) ͏
Barry Town United: BFL (a), CQ (a), LLI (h)
Having won just one of their last 11 matches (D3, L7), Briton Ferry Llansawel are certain to finish in the bottom half for the second successive season.
But the Reds did beat Barry Town at Jenner Park in October thanks to Kian Jenkins’ well-struck volley (Barr 0-1 BFL).
League form:
Briton Ferry Llansawel: ͏➖❌➖❌➖
Barry Town United: ✅➖✅➖✅
Bala Town (9th) v Caernarfon Town (4th) | Wednesday – 12:30
Bala Town have slowly slid down the table, and now there are only two points between themselves and Flint Town United (11th) in the relegation zone.
Bala Town have not played for almost four weeks, and after winning only one of their last 11 matches (vs Llanelli) it seems that Steve Fisher’s side is destined for the Bottom Six.
Next fixtures:
Bala Town: CFON (h), TNS (a), FTU (a)
Caernarfon Town: BALA (a), CQ (h) ͏
If Caernarfon Town are not careful, then the Bottom Six will also be their fate, as the Cofis have failed to win any of their last five league games.
With an in-form Connah’s Quay coming next, Richard Davies will feel that it’s necessary for the Canaries to get a positive result against Bala Town if they are to avoid a nervous ending to the first phase.
The clear consolation for Caernarfon is their impressive record against Bala Town, as the Cofis have not lost in their previous nine meetings with the Lakesiders, winning the last four contests.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅❌❌➖❌
Caernarfon Town: ͏➖➖❌➖❌
Connah’s Quay (2nd) v The New Saints (1st) | Wednesday – 14:30
Following an excellent run of six consecutive league victories, Connah’s Quay have risen to second place, seven points behind The New Saints.
There is still a significant gap between the two teams, but a win for the Nomads would put real pressure on the champions.
Next fixtures:
Connah’s Quay: TNS (h), BARR (h) CFON (a) ͏
The New Saints: CQ (a), BALA (h), CB (h)
Connah’s Quay have taken 28 points out of a possible 30 in their last 10 league matches, and Harry Franklin has been on fire for the Nomads, as the Irishman has already contributed to 20 league goals this season (11 goals, 9 assists).
The Saints striker, Jordan Williams is the only player to contribute to more goals in the league this season (19 goals, 4 assists), and if the forward can continue his form in front of goal, then he could be the first player to hit 30 league goals since Rhys Griffiths did so in 2009/10.
Harry Franklin scored for Connah’s Quay against the Saints in the 2-1 win in the 2023/24 Welsh Cup final, but since then, the Oswestry outfit have won five consecutive games against the Nomads.
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ✅✅✅✅✅
The New Saints: ✅❌✅✅✅
Thursday, 1 January
Colwyn Bay (5th) v Flint Town United (11th) | Thursday – 12:30 (S4C)
A win for Colwyn Bay on New Year’s Day would be enough to confirm their place in the Top Six for the second phase of the season.
The Seagulls are aiming to be the first club to reach the Top Six in their first season after securing promotion since Caernarfon did so in 2018/19.
Next fixtures:
Colwyn Bay: FTU (h), TNS (a)
Flint Town United: CB (a), BALA (h)
Colwyn Bay have won nine of their last 13 matches in all competitions, progressing to the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup, and therefore the dream of reaching Europe is alive at Llanelian Road.
Flint Town United are also among the last eight in the Welsh Cup, but the Silkmen are struggling in the league this year and have not won in eight games (D4, L4).
Flint Town United have only won once away from home in the league this season, and that victory came against Llanelli Town in September.
League form:
Colwyn Bay: ͏✅❌✅❌✅
Flint Town United: ❌➖➖➖❌
Llanelli Town (12th) v Pen-y-bont (3rd) | Thursday – 14:00
Llanelli Town have only taken one point from their last 10 league games, and after scoring just 11 goals in 20 matches, things do not bode well for Lee John’s side.
Llanelli Town are certain to finish the first phase at the bottom of the table, and since the formation of the current format in 2010, no team has ever managed to climb out of the relegation zone after starting the second part of the season at the bottom of the league.
Next fixtures:
Llanelli Town: PEN (h), BARR (a)
Pen-y-bont: LLI (a), MET (h) ͏
Although Pen-y-bont have failed to win any of their last four games, the Blues have secured their place in the Top Six for the second season in a row.
Bont forward Chris Venables has received a red card in the opening seven minutes in his last two games (vs Flint Town and Briton Ferry), and that has inevitably impacted his team’s results in both the league and in the Welsh Cup.
While one forward is left frustrated, there is another in excellent form for Rhys Griffiths’ side, and that is James Crole, as the 21-year-old has scored 15 goals in his last 14 games.
Pen-y-bont are now six points behind Connah’s Quay in the race for second place, and closing the gap will be the goal for the Bryntirion boys to try and grab a ticket to Europe.
League form:
Llanelli Town: ❌➖❌❌❌
Pen-y-bont: ͏ ❌✅❌➖➖
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online platforms.
