For the second consecutive league matchday we will see the top two and the bottom two go head-to-head in the JD Cymru Premier.
Friday, 22 October
Flint Town United (2nd) v The New Saints (1st) | Friday – 19:45
Second-placed Flint Town United will entertain league leaders The New Saints at Cae-y-Castell this Friday as Neil Gibson’s men look to close the seven-point gap between the two sides and become the first team to beat the Oswestry outfit in the league this season.
Flint Town United have come a long way since their embarrassing 10-0 defeat by The New Saints last October, and after finishing the last campaign in the bottom two, they have certainly been the surprise package this season, sitting in 2nd spot after winning six out of nine league games to date.
The New Saints have won their last four meetings with the Silkmen, scoring 22 goals in the process (5.5 goals per game), but it was just the solitary goal that separated the teams in the reverse fixture earlier this season, with Adrian Cieslewicz’s second half strike enough to secure the points for Anthony Limbrick’s lot at Park Hall.
League form:
Flint Town United: ✅❌❌✅✅
The New Saints: ➖✅✅✅✅
Aberystwyth Town (10th) v Pen-y-bont (7th) | Friday – 20:00
Both Aberystwyth Town and Pen-y-bont were jubilant following penalty shoot-out triumphs against Saltney Town and Caernarfon Town last Saturday to clinch a place apiece in the JD Welsh Cup quarter finals.
Aberystwyth Town have only scored in three of their nine league fixtures this season, with Antonio Corbisiero’s men winning all three of those matches, but losing the other six.
Pen-y-bont are also in the bottom half of the table with only one win in their last eight league games away from home (vs Cefn Druids).
These two clubs have met six times in the past with neither side able to score more than one goal in any of the previous six meetings.
League form:
Aberystwyth Town: ❌✅❌❌✅
Pen-y-bont: ➖✅➖❌✅
Saturday, 23 October
Haverfordwest County (11th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
Back in April, Cefn Druids won 2-1 at home against Haverfordwest County, but since that victory the Ancients have only picked up one point from their following 18 league matches.
Therefore, it’s no shock to see the Rock tribe at the bottom of the table, seven points behind their opponents, Haverfordwest County.
But performances have improved recently under Andy Turner as the Druids have only conceded one goal in each of their last two games against Aberystwyth Town and Bala Town – a definite progress after conceding at least three times in each of their previous six league fixtures.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ❌✅➖✅❌
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌➖❌
Cardiff Met (6th) v Connah’s Quay (9th) | Saturday – 14:30
Not many would have predicted that the champions, Connah’s Quay, would be lying as low as the 9th position after nine league games, only a point above the relegation zone.
This is Connah’s Quay’s worst start to a campaign since 2014/15 and their longest run without a win in one season since 2014/15 (7 games).
It may be obvious but putting the ball in the net seems to be the Nomads’ biggest problem as they have only scored once in their last five league games, which was a penalty against Haverfordwest County.
Cardiff Met have also been struggling in front of goal and have only netted once in their last three games in all competitions, which was also a penalty against Barry Town United.
But the Nomads undoubtedly showed some promise in their assured win against Flint Town United in the JD Welsh Cup last Friday and have booked their place in the quarter finals where they’ll host Colwyn Bay, the club who knocked out Cardiff Met last weekend.
Since their promotion in 2016, Cardiff Met have failed to win any of their 14 league meetings with Connah’s Quay (lost 10, drawn 4).
League form:
Cardiff Met: ✅❌✅❌✅
Connah’s Quay: ❌❌͏͏➖❌❌
Bala Town (4th) v Barry Town United (8th) | Saturday – 14:30
After being ahead for most of the match it was ultimately three points dropped for Bala Town against The New Saints in their last league outing as the Lakesiders conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to fall from 2nd to 4th position in the table.
By now, there’s a nine-point divide between Bala Town and the front runners, therefore Colin Caton’s crew may be setting their sights on the more realistic target of reaching Europe via finishing in 2nd spot.
But the Lakesiders also have another route open into Europe, as Chris Venables’ hat-trick at Haverfordwest County ensured Bala Town’s ticket to the last eight of the JD Welsh Cup.
The reverse fixture ended goalless between these sides back in August, but Bala Town will expect nothing less than three points on Saturday, considering that Barry Town United have lost their last four games on the bounce.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅✅✅➖❌
Barry Town United: ✅❌❌❌❌
Newtown (3rd) v Caernarfon Town (5th) | Saturday – 17:15
These two teams have had an encouraging start to the season and will be aiming to cement their place in the Top Six, before going on to challenge for the 2nd spot and a place in Europe.
Newtown have won four of their last five games, and Chris Hughes has a good record against Caernarfon Town recently since the Robins have won their last three meetings with the Canaries, scoring 12 goals.
After two consecutive defeats, Huw Griffiths will demand a reaction from his squad at Latham Park on Saturday as a win for the Cofis would lift them above Newtown.
League form:
Newtown: ❌❌✅✅✅
Caernarfon Town: ✅✅➖✅❌
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
