Just five games left to play, and we are well and truly into the business end of the season as the race for European qualification and the battle to avoid relegation reaches its climax in the JD Cymru Premier.
TOP SIX
Pen-y-bont (4th) v Newtown (3rd) | Tuesday – 19:45
Pen-y-bont’s European hopes took a heavy blow on Saturday as Rhys Griffiths’ side were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thumping from Bala Town.
The defeat meant that Pen-y-bont have lost two consecutive league games for the first time this season, and after starting the second phase in second place, Pen-y-bont are now six points behind Bala Town in the race for automatic European qualification.
Pen-y-bont have won just one of their last seven league matches, which was their previous meeting with Newtown a fortnight ago (New 1-2 Pen).
That was Newtown’s only defeat in their last four matches, with the Robins winning the other three games to close in on Bala Town in the runners-up spot.
These clubs have met three times this season and the head-to-head record proves that there’s not much between the two sides (one win, one draw and one loss for both teams).
League form:
Pen-y-bont: ❌➖✅❌❌
Newtown: ❌✅❌✅✅
Bala Town (2nd) v The New Saints (1st) | Tuesday – 19:45
Bala Town have qualified for Europe seven times since 2013, and with five games left this season, Colin Caton’s crew are two points clear in second place and eager for another European adventure.
The Lakesiders have only lost once in their last 12 league matches, which was their previous meeting with The New Saints last month (TNS 2-1 Bala).
By winning the title, The New Saints have already secured their place in Europe and in the Scottish Challenge Cup, but the Oswestry outfit will want to end the campaign strongly ahead of the Welsh Cup final.
Anthony Limbrick’s squad have lost only one of their last 19 league games away from home, and the champions are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Bala Town (won six, drawn three).
League form:
Bala Town: ✅❌✅✅✅
The New Saints: ✅✅➖❌✅
Flint Town United (5th) v Caernarfon Town (6th) | Tuesday – 19:45
Caernarfon Town trail Flint Town United by one point, and the Cofis are nine points behind Bala Town, and as the games begin to run out it could be said that this is a must-win match for both teams if they are to keep their European dreams alive.
With just one win in their last nine games, Neil Gibson’s gang have faltered after such an impressive performance in the first phase of the season.
Caernarfon Town were thrown a lifeline when they benefitted from Connah’s Quay’s point deduction, but after getting a pass into the Top Six it’s possible that the Canaries aren’t fully prepared for European football this year.
Since Flint Town United’s promotion in 2020 these two clubs have met on five occasions with the Cofis victorious in four of those matches and the Silkmen winning just once.
League form:
Flint Town United: ❌❌❌✅❌
Caernarfon Town: ✅❌✅❌❌
BOTTOM SIX
Cefn Druids (12th) v Connah’s Quay (10th) | Tuesday – 19:45
Connah’s Quay are on a run of seven league games without defeat, but its still only goal difference separating the Nomads and Barry Town United in the relegation zone, therefore Craig Harrison’s men certainly aren’t out of the woods yet.
Cefn Druids have just six points to their name this season and are in danger of breaking their own record as one of the worst teams to ever play in the JD Cymru Premier.
Afan Lido has the worst record since the 12-team format was introduced (15 points from 32 games in 2013/14), but the lowest tally in the history of the league is nine points from Cemaes Bay in 1997/98 (38 games) and Cefn Druids in 2009/10 (34 games).
Connah’s Quay have won eight of their last nine games against Cefn Druids, and the Nomads have scored 11 goals without conceding once in their three meetings with the Ancients this season.
League form:
Cefn Druids: ➖❌❌✅❌
Connah’s Quay: ➖✅✅➖✅
Haverfordwest County (8th) v Aberystwyth Town (9th) | Tuesday – 19:45
It’s extremely tight down the bottom of the table with just two points between Aberystwyth Town, Connah’s Quay and Barry Town United in the battle to avoid the drop.
The Black & Greens were left frustrated following their 1-0 defeat at Connah’s Quay on Friday with the only goal of the game coming from a contentious penalty.
Despite their recent form, Haverfordwest County aren’t safe either, and Nicky Hayen will be looking to increase the five point gap that currently separates the Bluebirds from the relegation zone.
In the previous meeting between these clubs, Haverfordwest County claimed their biggest ever victory in the top-flight as they won 6-0 at Park Avenue with former Seasider, Touray Sisay netting a hat-trick against his former club.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ✅✅✅➖❌
Aberystwyth Town: ➖❌❌✅❌
Barry Town United (11th) v Cardiff Met (7th) | Tuesday – 19:45
Barry Town United returned to the top-flight in 2017 after a 13-year absence, and Gavin Chesterfield’s squad have twice gone on to represent Wales in Europe since their return, but the Dragons are in real danger of getting relegated this season.
But the Barry battalion secured a vital three points on Saturday as they beat Cefn Druids to stay level on points with Connah’s Quay in 10th place.
After losing just once in 13 league outings, Cardiff Met are eight points clear from the drop zone and are possibly the only Bottom Six side relatively safe from relegation.
Remarkably, this will be the sixth meeting between the two teams this season and it’s fair to say that its’ the students who’ve had the upper hand so far (Met won four, drawn one).
League form:
Barry Town United: ❌❌➖❌✅
Cardiff Met: ➖͏✅➖❌✅
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
