Four games to go until the league split and it’s extremely tight in the race for the Top Six with only two points separating the three clubs between the 5th and 7th positions.
Friday, 28 January
Caernarfon Town (6th) v The New Saints (1st) | Friday – 19:45
After losing just once in their last 21 matches in all competitions, The New Saints find themselves 14 points clear at the summit and are currently the only team who have secured their place in the Top Six.
Following their 3-1 win at Cefn Druids last Friday, Caernarfon Town have climbed into the top half, one point above Bala Town, who they will face twice in their next two matches.
The New Saints are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Caernarfon Town (won four, drawn one), but the reverse fixture at Park Hall earlier this season was a close and exciting encounter (TNS 5-3 Cfon).
League form:
Caernarfon Town: ✅❌➖✅✅
League form: ✅✅✅✅✅
Haverfordwest County (10th) v Pen-y-bont (4th) | Friday – 19:45
Spirits are high at the SDM Glass Stadium as Pen-y-bont have won eight of their last 11 games in all competitions and are in a strong position to secure a place in the Top Six for the second year running.
Haverfordwest County have failed to win in seven matches, but new Belgian manager Nicky Hayen will be looking to bring the bad spell to an end in his first home game in charge.
But it will be a tough ask for the Bluebirds who haven’t won in seven games against Pen-y-bont (lost six, drawn one).
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ❌❌➖❌➖
Pen-y-bont: ➖✅✅❌✅
Bala Town (7th) v Newtown (2nd) | Friday – 19:45
With just four games left until the split Bala Town have slipped into the bottom half and are in danger of missing out on the Top Six for the first time in eight years.
The Lakesiders have only won six of their 18 league games this season (33%), but Colin Caton will be confident that his team can get a result on Friday as Bala Town are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Newtown (won five, drawn one).
It’s been almost seven years since Newtown last won away at Maes Tegid, but Chris Hughes will be aware that a win this weekend would be enough to seal the Robins’ spot in the Top Six.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅❌➖✅➖
Newtown: ❌✅✅✅➖
Aberystwyth Town (11th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Friday – 20:00
The bottom two go head-to-head at Park Avenue on Friday in the first of three crucial matches for Aberystwyth Town who will then face 10th placed Haverfordwest County twice in the next two weeks.
Aberystwyth Town are one of only two clubs who have been ever-present since the league’s formation back in 1992 (along with Newtown), and with just one point separating the Seasiders and the relegation zone, Antonio Corbisiero will be determined not to become the first manager to relegate the Black & Greens into the second tier.
After 27 games without a win and only two points this season, Cefn Druids are the only team who are mathematically out of the race for the Top Six.
Cefn Druids are 15 points away from safety, but one victory could be enough to give Andy Turner’s side the kick-start they need to start closing the deficit.
Aberystwyth Town have triumphed in their last six matches against Cefn Druids which includes wins this season in both the league and the JD Welsh Cup.
League form:
Aberystwyth Town: ✅❌❌➖❌
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌❌
Saturday, 29 January
Connah’s Quay (5th) v Barry Town United (9th) v | Saturday – 14:30
There was disappointment for both these sides on Tuesday as Connah’s Quay conceded a late equaliser against Flint Town United (1-1), while Barry Town United fell to their fifth consecutive defeat at the hands of Cardiff Met (2-0).
Barry Town United boss, Gavin Chesterfield has admitted that the Top Six is now out of the Dragons’ reach, and the Nomads will also need to be weary as they go into the weekend only two points above Caernarfon Town (7th) having played an additional game.
It was Barry Town United who claimed the points in the last meeting back in September (1-0), but the Dragons haven’t won at the Deeside Stadium since 2002.
Barry Town United have reached the Top Six in each of the last three seasons, while Connah’s Quay have finished in the top half for six consecutive years.
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ✅➖✅❌➖
Barry Town United: ✅❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United (3rd) v Cardiff Met (8th) | Saturday – 14:30
Flint Town United had the perfect start to the season with a 5-1 away win against Cardiff Met, and another three points for Neil Gibson’s side will be enough to secure their place in the Top Six.
The Silkmen have shown their grit since the league re-start with a vital win away at Barry Town United before nicking a point against the champions on Tuesday night.
Cardiff Met aren’t out of the race yet, and after five games without defeat, and three consecutive clean sheets, the students will be setting their sights on a top half finish for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
League form:
Flint Town United: ✅❌❌✅➖
Cardiff Met: ❌✅➖͏➖✅
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts and on S4C at 17:30 and 22.00 on Monday night.
