The second phase of the JD Cymru Premier season kicks off this weekend and after an unsuccessful appeal against a charge for breaking the league’s rules, Connah’s Quay Nomads have been deducted 18 points for fielding an ineligible player, and therefore have lost their place in the Top Six. The reigning champions have dropped into the relegation zone while Caernarfon, who finished the first phase in 7th spot have replaced the Nomads in the Top Six.
TOP SIX
Flint Town United (4th) v The New Saints (1st) | Friday – 19:45
Ten games left of the league season, and The New Saints need a maximum of ten points to secure their first championship in three years.
And although the Oswestry outfit are 21 points clear of the chasing pack, Anthony Limbrick will still be disappointed with the way his side conceded a late equaliser against Cardiff Met last Saturday to bring their run of nine consecutive wins to an end.
The New Saints won 10-0 and 0-6 against Flint Town United last season, but the games have been much tighter during this campaign with the Saints scraping a 1-0 win at home before having to settle for a point at Cae-y-Castell in October (1-1).
The Silkmen start the second phase just one point behind Pen-y-bont in the race for the runners-up spot as Neil Gibson aims to lead Flint Town United to Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
League form:
Flint Town United: ✅➖➖❌➖
The New Saints: ✅✅✅✅➖
Newtown (3rd) v Bala Town (5th) | Friday – 19:45
There’s only one point separating Newtown and Bala Town United in the race for second place and a ticket to Europe.
Newtown have reached Europe on four occasions since their first appearance in 1996, while Bala Town have qualified seven times since 2013.
After failing to win any of their last five fixtures, Newtown will be looking for their first win in 2022 against a Bala Town team who are unbeaten in eight games.
It will be a tough test for the mid-Wales Robins who are without a win in their last seven meetings with the Lakesiders (lost 6, drawn 1).
League form:
Newtown: ➖❌➖͏͏➖❌
Bala Town: ➖✅✅➖➖
Pen-y-bont (2nd) v Caernarfon Town (6th) | Saturday – 14:30
Caernarfon Town have reached the Top Six in every season since their promotion in 2018, and the Cofis have achieved that feat once again this year, although in an unorthodox manner.
Caernarfon Town finished the first phase three points behind 6th placed Bala Town, but following Connah’s Quay’s 18-point deduction, the Canaries will have a chance to compete for European football.
Pen-y-bont are leading the race for the runners-up spot after losing just once in their last 11 games, with that defeat coming away against The New Saints (TNS 3-2 Pen).
It will be a mean test for Huw Griffiths’ gang as the Canaries have failed to win any of their previous eight meetings with Pen-y-bont (drawn 4, lost 4).
League form:
Pen-y-bont: ✅͏͏➖✅➖➖
Caernarfon Town: ✅❌❌➖✅
BOTTOM SIX
Cefn Druids (12th) v Aberystwyth Town (8th) | Friday – 19:45
Cefn Druids have become the first team since the league restructure in 2010/11 to finish Phase One with less than 10 points, and the first team not to win any of their opening 22 league fixtures.
After finishing bottom last year the Ancients were lucky to avoid relegation, but after an appalling run of 31 league games without a win, picking up just two points this season, it seems inevitable that Cefn Druids will drop into the JD Cymru North next season.
Aberystwyth Town have gone four league games without defeat and the Black & Greens will be full of confidence since they’ve won their last seven meetings with the Druids, including three victories this season.
League form:
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌❌
Aberystwyth Town: ❌✅✅➖➖
Cardiff Met (7th) v Connah’s Quay (11th) | Saturday – 14:30
Following back-to-back JD Cymru Premier titles, Connah’s Quay are now facing a real relegation battle after receiving an 18-point deduction for breaking league rules.
With just 10 games left to play, Connah’s Quay are six points from safety and are unable to qualify for Europe.
The fight for survival begins with a tough test against the students who took the Nomads all the way to penalties in last month’s Nathaniel MG Cup final.
The three meetings between these teams this season have ended in draws after 90 minutes, but it was Craig Harrison’s side who eventually came out on top in the dramatic Nathaniel MG Cup penalty shoot-out recently.
Cardiff Met are currently on a run of eight league games without defeat (won 2, drawn 6), and the Archers will be eager to hold on to 7th spot to qualify for the end of season play-offs.
League form:
Cardiff Met: ✅➖➖͏➖➖
Connah’s Quay: ❌➖❌✅✅
Barry Town United (9th) v Haverfordwest County (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
For the first time since the 2017/18 season, Barry Town United will not be competing in the Top Six after winning just one of their last nine matches.
There’s just one point separating these two teams who are lingering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Haverfordwest County ended their run of 10 games without a win with a 2-0 victory at Cefn Druids last Saturday, but it’s been 10 years since the Bluebirds last won away at Barry Town United.
League form:
Barry Town United: ❌✅❌➖❌
Haverfordwest County: ➖➖❌➖✅
Highlights of all matches will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
