A point for The New Saints this Saturday would be enough for the Oswestry outfit to secure their 14th JD Cymru Premier title.
TOP SIX
Caernarfon Town (6th) v Newtown (4th) | Friday – 19:45
The Cofis claimed a fantastic victory at Pen-y-bont last Saturday becoming the first team since last May to win away at the SDM Glass Stadium (Pen 0-3 Cfon).
The result puts Caernarfon Town right in the race for 2nd spot and European qualification as there are only three points separating the five clubs between the 2nd and 6th positions.
After failing to win any of their last six fixtures, Newtown will be looking for their first win in 2022.
But the Robins have won their last four meetings with the Canaries and Chris Hughes will be determined to lead Newtown into Europe for the third time since his appointment in 2013.
League form:
Caernarfon Town: ❌❌➖✅✅
Newtown: ❌➖͏͏➖❌❌
Bala Town (2nd) v Flint Town United (5th) | Friday – 19:45
For the second time this season there was heartbreak for Bala Town at Park Hall on Tuesday night as the Lakesiders once again conceded late on to lose the match after going ahead against The New Saints (TNS 2-1 Bala).
It was Bala Town’s first defeat in nine games since losing at home to The New Saints back in December.
And despite their valiant effort, Flint Town United also lost 2-1 to The New Saints in their last outing, extending their winless run to five games.
Bala Town have won their last four meetings with Flint Town United and Colin Caton’s crew are aiming to secure European football for the eighth time since 2013.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅➖➖✅❌
Flint Town United: ➖➖❌➖❌
The New Saints (1st) v Pen-y-bont (3rd) | Saturday – 12:45
The New Saints are just one point away from securing the championship title for the first time in three years.
If the Saints manage to cross the line on Saturday, they will have done so with seven games spare, equalling their record in 2016/17.
Anthony Limbrick’s squad have only lost once in 24 league matches this season (Aber 1-0 TNS), winning a whopping 20 of those games.
Pen-y-bont were the first side to take a point from the Saints this season (Pen 1-1 TNS), but the Oswestry organization haven’t dropped a point at Park Hall since April 2021 (18 consecutive home wins).
Pen-y-bont are hoping to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, but Rhys Griffiths’ gang need to improve after winning only once in their last five league games.
League form:
The New Saints: ✅✅➖✅✅
Pen-y-bont: ➖✅➖➖❌
BOTTOM SIX
Aberystwyth Town (8th) v Cardiff Met (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
There’s only two points separating Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town in the race for 7th spot, but at this stage of the season both clubs will just be eager to open a gap between themselves and the bottom two.
You could say that this fixture has a draw written all over it as Aberystwyth Town’s last three league matches have been drawn, while seven out of Cardiff Met’s last eight league games have also ended in draws.
These teams have met three times this season with Cardiff Met winning at Park Avenue in the league (0-1) and in the Nathaniel MG Cup (2-5) before Aberystwyth Town beat the Archers at Cyncoed Campus in November (0-1).
League form:
Aberystwyth Town: ✅✅➖➖➖
Cardiff Met: ➖➖͏➖➖͏➖
Connah’s Quay (11th) v Barry Town United (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
If you would have told Barry Town United at the start of the season that they would have beaten Connah’s Quay twice in the first phase and would be one position higher than the champions with just nine games left to play, then Gavin Chesterfield would have been a very happy man.
But in reality, the situation is a worrying one for both clubs as Connah’s Quay sit in the relegation zone, six points behind Barry Town United after receiving an 18-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.
The Barry Dragons have won only once in their last 10 games (drawn one, lost eight) with that rare victory coming away at Connah’s Quay in November.
The Deeside Stadium was once a fortress, but the Nomads have won just two of their last six home games and Craig Harrison will need to galvanize his side quickly if Connah’s Quay are to avoid becoming the third team to be relegated from the JD Cymru Premier after lifting the trophy the previous year (Barry Town United 2003-04, Rhyl 2009-10).
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ➖❌✅✅➖
Barry Town United: ✅❌➖❌❌
Haverfordwest County (9th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
Following a long spell of 10 games without a win, Haverfordwest County have turned the corner with two consecutive victories, climbing out of the relegation zone and up to 9th.
And after 31 league games without a win, Cefn Druids were seconds away from their first three points of the season as they led 3-1 against Aberystwyth Town last Friday night with less than five minutes to play.
But two Aber goals in the 86th and 92nd minute meant that it finished 3-3 at The Rock, and the Ancients’ barren period stretches to 32 league games with no wins.
10 April 2021 was the last time Cefn Druids won a league match, which was also against Haverfordwest County, and Andy Turner will be desperate to repeat that result against the Bluebirds to bring their dreadful run to an end.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ➖❌➖✅✅
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌➖
Highlights of all matches will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
