Halfway through the first phase of the JD Cymru Premier season and The New Saints are setting the pace, seven points clear at the summit. But with 11 games to go until the league split the race to reach the Top Six will start to intensify as there are only four points separating the seven clubs between the 4th and 10th positions.
Friday, 5 November
Cefn Druids (12th) v Newtown (3rd) | Friday – 19:45
After picking up only one point from their last 20 league games, one club that is more than likely to play out the rest of the campaign in the bottom half of the table is Cefn Druids.
Newtown were 5-0 winners in the reverse fixture back in August, and the Robins have notched up 25 goals in their last five meetings with the hapless Ancients.
Chris Hughes’ Newtown had climbed up to 3rd place following four consecutive wins, but the mid-Walians need to get back on track after two defeats on the bounce.
League form:
Cefn Druids: ❌➖❌❌❌
Newtown: ✅✅✅✅❌
Bala Town (5th) v Connah’s Quay (10th) | Friday – 19:45
It promises to be an enticing battle at Maes Tegid between two teams who have under-achieved in the league this season.
With just four wins in 11 games, Bala Town are 12 points behind The New Saints and have dropped down to 5th place.
Champions Connah’s Quay have also surprised everyone for all the wrong reasons this term as they sit in 10th position at the start of November.
But on the back of their 4-0 victory against Cefn Druids last Friday, Craig Harrison’s men are now only four points behind Bala Town.
Connah’s Quay have qualified for Europe for the last six years, while Bala Town have played in Europe seven times since 2014, therefore it would be a substantial blow for either club if they were to fail to qualify this season.
Finishing 3rd has been enough to secure European qualification in the last seven campaigns, but as Wales have lost a spot this year it will be harder than ever to claim the coveted prize of continental football.
Bala Town are unbeaten at Maes Tegid since April, and the Lakesiders have won their last two matches against Connah’s Quay.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅➖❌➖❌
Connah’s Quay: ❌͏➖❌❌➖✅
Saturday, 6 November
Cardiff Met (6th) v Caernarfon Town (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
Only one point separates these two mid-table teams who will be setting their sights on the Top Six.
Cardiff Met were thrashed 5-0 by The New Saints last Saturday, and Dr Christian Edwards will demand an improvement from his disciples this weekend.
Caernarfon Town have lost their last four matches in all competitions, but Huw Griffiths will take confidence from the fact that his Cofis have won their last three games against the students.
League form:
Cardiff Met: ✅❌✅➖❌
Caernarfon Town: ➖✅❌❌❌
Barry Town United (8th) v Aberystwyth Town (11th) | Saturday – 14:30
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Aberystwyth Town who are now four points from safety after losing eight of their 11 league games.
The Black & Greens have been struggling to find the net and have scored only six goals in 11 outings, with two of those strikes coming in their opening weekend triumph against Barry Town United.
Gavin Chesterfield will be determined to see his Dragons climb the table as Barry Town United have made the Top Six in each of the last three seasons.
League form:
Barry Town United: ❌❌❌➖✅
Aberystwyth Town: ❌❌✅❌❌
Flint Town United (2nd) v Pen-y-bont (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Two of this season’s top performers will go head-to-head on Saturday in what should be a compelling clash at Cae-y-Castell.
Flint Town United are three points above Newtown in the race for second spot, while Pen-y-bont are up to 4th after losing only once in their last 10 games in all competitions.
On average, 30 points have been enough to secure a Top Six slot at the split, and with the Silkmen already up to 22 points, things are looking good for Neil Gibson’s gang.
League form:
Flint Town United: ❌✅✅➖✅
Pen-y-bont: ➖❌✅✅✅
The New Saints (1st) v Haverfordwest County (9th) | Saturday – 14:30
On the back of two trophyless seasons, The New Saints are on track to set things right this year as they are already seven points clear at the top of the table.
Anthony Limbrick’s lot have won their last 11 games at Park Hall and have not lost at home against Haverfordwest County since 2003.
The Bluebirds have clawed their way out of the relegation zone after losing only once in their last six league games, winning four times during that spell.
League form:
The New Saints: ✅✅✅➖✅
Haverfordwest County: ➖✅❌✅✅
Highlights of all games will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
