Two games left to play in the JD Cymru Premier season and only two points separate Connah’s Quay and The New Saints in the race for the title, and if results go their way the Nomads could be crowned champions this Saturday.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE
Connah’s Quay (1st) v Caernarfon Town (6th) | Saturday – 17:15 (S4C)
Connah’s Quay claimed a massive victory at Barry Town United on Tuesday night, but it’s fair to say that the Nomads could count themselves lucky after they were rewarded a debatable penalty that turned the game on it’s head.
Barry Town United had deservedly taken the lead before the referee awarded a penalty to the Nomads after Jamie Bird had won the ball cleanly in the Barry box.
Callum Morris made no mistake from the spot and a minute late Craig Curran netted the second for Andy Morrison’s men to keep the Nomads at the summit.
After eight games without a win there were celebrations at the Oval as well when Caernarfon comfortably beat Bala Town in midweek.
But the Cofis have only won one in 10 against Connah’s Quay, with the Nomads winning the last five meetings between the two sides.
Previous meetings: Connah’s Quay 3-1 Caernarfon Town, Caernarfon Town 1-2 Connah’s Quay, Caernarfon Town 1-6 Connah’s Quay
Form guide:
Connah’s Quay: ✅✅❌➖✅
Caernarfon Town: ❌❌➖➖✅
Bala Town (3rd) v Pen-y-bont (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Bala Town have secured the third position and confirmed their place in Europe, but after a 3-0 loss against Caernarfon on Tuesday the Lakesiders will be keen to get back to winning ways.
It’s looking increasingly likely that Pen-y-bont will finish 4th and will most probably be facing Newtown in the play-off semi final.
But the head-to-head statistics does not look favourable for Pen-y-bont as they’ve lost all five of their previous meetings with Bala Town, conceding 22 goals (4.4 goals per game).
Previous meetings: Pen-y-bont 1-5 Bala Town, Bala Town 4-1 Pen-y-bont, Pen-y-bont 2-3 Bala Town
Form guide:
Bala Town: ❌✅✅✅❌
Pen-y-bont: ➖✅✅➖❌
The New Saints (2nd) v Barry Town United (5th) | Saturday – 14:30
Barry Town United were disappointed in the manner of their defeat against Connah’s Quay on Tuesday night, but The New Saints would’ve been even more frustrated with their rivals’ result.
The New Saints won 3-0 at Pen-y-bont and Anthony Limbrick will expect his side to do everything they can to keep the pressure on the front runners.
Gavin Chesterfield’s team have been struggling lately, picking up only one point from their last seven games, and TNS are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Dragons (won four, drawn one).
Previous meetings: Barry Town United 0-3 The New Saints, The New Saints 2-1 Barry Town United, Barry Town United 0-6 The New Saints.
Form guide:
The New Saints: ✅❌➖➖✅
Barry Town United: ➖❌❌❌❌
PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE
Haverfordwest County (9th) v Newtown (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
Newtown’s fantastic run came to an end on Tuesday night as they fell to their first defeat since the split at home against Cardiff Met.
Despite the blip, Chris Hughes’ side only need two points from their remaining two games to qualify for the play-offs.
Newtown haven’t lost on any of their previous five meetings away at Haverfordwest County since 2009 (won four, drawn one).
Previous meetings: Haverfordwest County 2-2 Newtown, Newtown 0-3 Haverfordwest County, Newtown 5-1 Haverfordwest County
Form guide:
Haverfordwest County: ❌➖❌❌➖
Newtown: ✅✅✅✅❌
Cardiff Met (8th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
Cardiff Met are in fine form, unbeaten in their last seven matches and may be setting their sights on 7th spot.
Things aren’t going quite so smoothly for the Druids who have conceded at least five goals in each of their last four fixtures.
Cefn Druids have lost their last seven games and are now certain to finish the season at the bottom of the table.
Previous meetings: Cefn Druids 1-1 Cardiff Met, Cardiff Met 0-0 Cefn Druids, Cefn Druids 1-2 Cardiff Met
Form guide:
Cardiff Met: ✅➖✅✅✅
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United (10th) v Aberystwyth Town (11th) | Saturday – 14:30
Flint Town United are two points above Aberystwyth Town, and despite the fact that there will be no relegation from the JD Cymru Premier this year, both clubs will be determined not to finish in the bottom two so they can go into next season with the assurance that they’ve deserved their place in the top flight.
The Silkmen have won their previous two meetings with Aberystwyth Town without conceding a goal, and after hitting six past the Druids in midweek, Neil Gibson’s men will be raring to go this Saturday.
Previous meetings: Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Flint Town United, Flint Town United 3-0 Aberystwyth Town, Aberystwyth Town 0-1 Flint Town United
Form guide:
Flint Town United: ❌➖❌✅✅
Aberystwyth Town: ✅➖✅❌➖
Highlights will be on Sgorio every Monday at 17:30.
