It’s one of the biggest JD Cymru Premier matches in recent years as The New Saints host Connah’s Quay on Saturday with both clubs level on points in the title race with only six games left to play.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE
Pen-y-bont (5th) v Caernarfon Town (6th) | Saturday – 14:30
Caernarfon Town have lost five games on the bounce for the first time since 2008, and although the Cofis are certain of their place in the play-off semi-final, Huw Griffiths will be determined to turn things around quickly to gain some confidence ahead of the all-important fixtures next month.
It’s looking increasingly likely that Pen-y-bont will also be competing in the end of season play-offs, and Saturday’s match will be a good barometer for both clubs to gauge each other before the battle for Europe.
The Canaries suffered a heavy defeat on their last visit to Pen-y-bont, losing 6-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium in December.
Previous meetings: Caernarfon Town 1-1 Pen-y-bont, Pen-y-bont 6-0 Caernarfon Town
Form guide:
Pen-y-bont: ✅✅❌❌➖
Caernarfon Town: ❌❌❌❌❌
Bala Town (3rd) v Barry Town (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Bala Town are eight points clear of Barry Town United in the race for third position, and a win for the Lakesiders on Saturday would be a giant leap towards sealing a place in Europe.
But it’s been less than a month since Colin Caton’s side were thrashed 6-2 by the Dragons, who are desperate to hold on to their European dreams.
League top scorer Chris Venables (21 goals) will be hoping to add to the four goals he has already netted against Barry Town United this season, who are without a win in their last three outings.
Previous meetings: Bala Town 4-0 Barry Town, Barry Town 6-2 Bala Town
Form guide:
Bala Town: ✅❌✅✅❌
Barry Town: ✅✅❌❌➖
The New Saints (1st) v Connah’s Quay (2nd) | Saturday – 17:15
Anthony Limbrick will go head–to–head with Andy Morrison for the first time on Saturday in a momentous top of the table clash at Park Hall.
The New Saints are on a run of seven consecutive wins and have kept four clean sheets since Anthony Limbrick was appointed head coach, while Connah’s Quay have lost only once in their last 18 matches.
Goal difference is the only thing that separates these two teams, but The New Saints could have the psychological advantage playing at home this weekend.
Since Andy Morrison was appointed as Nomads’ manager in November 2015 the clubs have met 10 times at Park Hall – one goalless draw in January 2016, and TNS have won all nine meetings since then.
In fact, Connah’s Quay have not won away against the Saints in the league in over 25 years (October 1995), but all past records will be forgotten when the two JD Cymru Premier giants step to the field for this epic encounter on Saturday.
Previous meetings: The New Saints 1-0 Connah’s Quay, Connah’s Quay 2-0 The New Saints
Form guide:
The New Saints: ✅✅✅✅✅
Connah’s Quay: ✅❌✅✅✅
PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE
Aberystwyth Town (9th) v Cardiff Met (10th) | Friday – 19:45
Aberystwyth Town and Cardiff Met are also level on points with a matching record after winning six, drawing 6 and losing 16 in the JD Cymru Premier this season.
Following a run of 11 games without a win, the students have truly turned the corner after claiming their second win in a week on Tuesday night, hitting six past a hapless Haverfordwest County side.
Previous meetings: Aberystwyth Town 2-3 Cardiff Met, Cardiff Met 1-1 Aberystwyth Town
Form guide:
Aberystwyth Town: ✅❌❌❌✅
Cardiff Met: ❌❌➖✅✅
Haverfordwest County (7th) v Flint Town United (11th) | Saturday – 14:30
Haverfordwest County remain top of the Play-Off Conference, but after two consecutive defeats and conceding 11 goals, the Bluebirds are now only two points ahead of Newtown.
The Pembrokeshire posse have lost four of their last five games, while Flint Town United have won three from four.
But Haverfordwest County are unbeaten at home since the Silkmen’s last visit to Bridge Meadow back in November, winning five and drawing once since that defeat.
Previous meetings: Flint Town United 0-2 Haverfordwest County, Haverfordwest County 0-3 Flint Town United
Form guide:
Haverfordwest County: ❌❌✅❌❌
Flint Town United: ❌✅✅✅❌
Newtown (8th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
Newtown began the second phase nine points behind 7th placed Haverfordwest County, but after four games without defeat the Robins are now breathing down the Bluebirds’ necks.
Chris Hughes’ side have won their last three meetings with the Druids and have not lost at home to the Cefn Mawr clan since 2008.
Bottom-of-the-table Cefn Druids are without a win in their last 10 meetings with Newtown (drawn six, lost four)
Previous meetings: Newtown 4-1 Cefn Druids, Cefn Druids 2-4 Newtown
Form guide:
Newtown: ❌✅➖✅✅
Cefn Druids: ❌✅❌❌❌
Highlights of all the weekend’s games will be on Sgorio every Monday at 5:30.
