As we reach the halfway point of the JD Cymru Premier season there is a substantial gap at each end of the table, but it’s extremely tight in the middle with every club but one still in the hunt for a Top Six spot.
Friday, 10 December
Flint Town United (2nd) v Caernarfon Town (7th) | Friday – 19:45
Looking back on recent years, the average total needed to get into to the Top Six at the split has been 32 points.
And after losing only once in their last eight league games, Flint Town United could reach that 32-point target this Friday with a win against Caernarfon Town.
But the Silkmen haven’t won at home against Caernarfon Town since 2009 with the Canaries victorious on each of their last five visits to Cae-y-Castell.
Ex-Cofi frontman Jack Kenny has already netted 11 league goals for Flint Town United this season, while his strike partner Michael Wilde has 12 goals to his name – the only club who have two players on double figures.
Caernarfon Town may have lost six of their last eight games, but Huw Griffiths’ men are still well in the race for the Top Six as they trail 6th placed Bala Town by just one point.
League form:
Flint Town United: ✅✅➖❌✅
Caernarfon Town: ❌✅❌✅❌
Aberystwyth Town (10th) v Newtown (3rd) | Friday – 20:00
The Robins are flying high this season and Chris Hughes will be determined to keep Newtown amongst the front-runners as they haven’t finished higher than 5th since 2000/01.
But it’s Aberystwyth Town who have won the last two mid-Wales derbies, including their 2-1 triumph at Latham Park earlier this season where Jamie Veale scored a wonder goal from the centre circle for the Black & Greens.
Since that match Aberystwyth have only scored five goals in nine games, and Antonio Corbisiero’s crew need to start firing if they are to avoid a relegation battle (nine goals in 15 games this season).
League form:
Aberystwyth Town: ❌➖✅✅❌
Newtown: ❌✅➖❌✅
Saturday, 11 December
Connah’s Quay (5th) v Cardiff Met (9th) | Saturday – 14:30
Connah’s Quay have been rejuvenated under Craig Harrison and are currently on a run of nine games without defeat (won 7, drawn 2).
The Nomads have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the league and it’s no surprise to see that Connah’s Quay have the best defensive record once again this season (conceded nine goals in 15 games).
After four successive league defeats Cardiff Met finally ended the bad run with a 3-1 away win at Cefn Druids last Saturday which lifted the students out of the relegation zone and up to 9th place.
But since their promotion in 2016, Cardiff Met have failed to win any of their 15 league meetings with Connah’s Quay (lost 10, drawn five).
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ✅✅✅➖✅
Cardiff Met: ❌❌❌❌✅
Haverfordwest County (11th) v Bala Town (6th) | Saturday – 14:30
Following a run of four games without a win which saw Haverfordwest County drop into the relegation zone, Wayne Jones decided to step down as manager and part company with the Bluebirds.
42-year-old Jones played as a left back for Haverfordwest County between 2002-2008 before his first stint as manager between 2013-2016.
After a short spell with Aberystwyth Town, Jones returned to Bridge Meadow in 2018 and led Haverfordwest County from tier 2 back into the JD Cymru Premier.
While Haverfordwest County search for a permanent replacement, Sean Pemberton and ex-Wales international Jazz Richards will take the reins for the Bluebirds.
Bala Town boss Colin Caton will be eager to take advantage of the uncertainty in the opposition’s camp, especially as the Lakesiders have never lost away at Bridge Meadow (won five, drawn two).
Colin Caton has been at the helm at Maes Tegid for over 18 years, but after winning just one of his last six matches the experienced manager will be desperate for three points on Saturday to get his side back on track.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ✅❌➖❌❌
Bala Town: ❌❌➖✅❌
Pen-y-bont (4th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
With five wins from their last seven league outings Pen-y-bont are holding their ground firmly in the Top Six.
But after 24 games without a win and only two points this season, things are looking bleak for Cefn Druids.
Pen-y-bont have already beaten the Druids comfortably this season (Cefn 0-3 Pen) but the Ancients have never lost away at the SDM Glass Stadium (won one, drawn one).
League form:
Pen-y-bont: ✅❌✅➖✅
Cefn Druids: ❌❌➖❌❌
Barry Town United (8th) v The New Saints (1st) | Saturday – 14:30
The New Saints go into the weekend nine points clear at the top of the table, while Barry Town United are in danger of failing to make the Top Six for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
A long twenty years has gone by since Barry Town United last won a home fixture against The New Saints (nine matches – drawn one, lost eight).
And the Oswestry tribe are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Barry Town United (won seven, drawn one).
A win for Anthony Limbrick’s Saints would secure their place in the Top Six for the 20th consecutive season (the only team to make the Top Six every year since the league was changed to a 12-team format in 2010-11).
League form:
Barry Town United: ✅➖➖✅❌
The New Saints: ✅✅❌✅✅
Highlights of all games will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
