Two games left until the league split and it’s a critical weekend in the JD Cymru Premier as Pen-y-bont, Barry Town United and Caernarfon Town all look to book their place in the Top Six.
Saturday, 27 March
Aberystwyth Town (9th) v Pen-y-bont (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Pen-y-bont are five points clear of 7th placed Haverfordwest County, and Rhys Griffiths’ side, who finished 10th last season, will be eager to secure their place in the top half this Saturday.
Aberystwyth Town will definitely be competing in the bottom half of the table, but the Black & Greens will be pushing for the elusive 7th spot to seal a place in the end of season European play-offs.
The previous four encounters between these clubs have been very tightly fought with neither team able to score more than once in any of their earlier meetings (Pen 1-1 Aber, Aber 0-1 Pen, Aber 1-0 Pen, Pen 1-1 Aber).
Form guide:
Aberystwyth Town: ❌➖✅❌✅
Pen-y-bont: ❌✅➖✅❌
Barry Town United (5th) v Bala Town (3rd) | Saturday – 14:30
After a fantastic run of 14 games without defeat, Bala Town have now lost two on the bounce for the first time in a year, and have fell 15 points behind league leaders, Connah’s Quay.
Barry Town United will hope to pounce on a wounded Bala side as a win for the Dragons would secure their place in the top half and claim their ticket to the play-offs.
Barry Town United’s four matches since the restart have ended 1-0 (two wins, two losses), but Gavin Chesterfield’s boys were battered 4-0 in the reverse fixture against the Lakesiders with Chris Venables netting a first half hatrick back in October.
Form guide:
Barry Town United: ✅✅❌✅❌
Bala Town: ✅➖✅❌❌
Flint Town United (11th) v The New Saints (2nd) | Saturday – 14:30
After three consecutive defeats with no goals scored, Neil Gibson finally had cause to celebrate last Saturday as Flint Town United claimed an unanticipated win at Pen-y-bont.
But the Silkmen face tougher foes this weekend as they confront The New Saints for the first time since their 10-0 thrashing earlier this season.
TNS have fallen six points behind table-toppers Connah’s Quay, and the Oswestry outfit will be keen to close the gap on the Nomads this Saturday.
Form guide:
Flint Town United: ✅❌❌❌✅
The New Saints: ✅✅➖❌✅
Newtown (8th) v Haverfordwest County (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
Haverfordwest County released an unexpected statement last week announcing that they won’t be competing for an European spot this season as the current manager Wayne Jones doesn’t hold the appropriate license and the board were not willing to make any managerial changes.
One club that certainly won’t be giving up on their European dream is Newtown, who have missed out on the Top Six but will be pushing to get to the play-offs via the 7th spot.
Haverfordwest County will still be eager to get back into the top half to cement their place in the league for next season, but the Bluebirds haven’t won on any of their last five visits to Newtown, since 2008.
Form guide:
Newtown: ✅❌✅✅❌
Haverfordwest County: ✅✅❌✅❌
Caernarfon Town (6th) v Cardiff Met (10th) | Saturday – 14:45 (S4C)
Caernarfon Town are enjoying a run of seven games without defeat, and if Haverfordwest fail to beat Newtown on Saturday, then a win for the Canaries would secure their place in the Top Six.
The Cofis have made it to the Top Six in both seasons since their promotion to the top flight in 2018, and Huw Griffiths will expect nothing less from his side in his first full season in charge.
Cardiff Met have the worst attacking record in the league (15 goals in 20 games) and the students are without a win in seven outings (lost five, drawn two).
Form guide:
Caernarfon Town: ✅➖➖✅✅
Cardiff Met: ❌❌❌❌➖
Highlights of all games will be on Sgorio every Monday at 17:30.
