We might only be two games into the new season, but it’s fair to say that there’s two unexpected teams leading the way in the JD Cymru Premier as Cardiff Met and Flint Town United are the only clubs who have their 100% record intact.
Friday, 26 August
Bala Town v Newtown | Friday – 19:45
After finishing in the top three last season before going on to represent Wales in Europe over the summer it’s slightly surprising to see both Bala Town and Newtown down the bottom half of the table with just one point apiece after two games.
Bala Town fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Pen-y-bont on the opening weekend before picking up their first point of the campaign in a 1-1 draw with Haverfordwest County last Saturday.
Newtown would have been fairly pleased with their goalless draw against The New Saints on the opening weekend, but a 2-0 loss at home against Flint Town United last Friday would have frustrated Robins’ manager Chris Hughes.
Bala Town have certainly had the better of Newtown in recent years as the Lakesiders are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with the mid-Wales side (won eight, drawn one).
Newtown have failed to win a league game at Maes Tegid since April 2015, but the Robins will need to score their first goal of the season if that unwanted run has any chance of coming to an end on Friday.
The New Saints v Connah’s Quay | Friday – 19:45
It promises to be quite the battle at Park Hall on Friday as Craig Harrison welcomes his previous club to Oswestry.
Craig Harrison spent the best part of three years as a member of the Connah’s Quay managerial staff before returning to The New Saints earlier this month.
These clubs have already clashed once this season in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round which ended 1-1 after goals by both number 9’s, Michael Wilde and Declan McManus.
Between the two teams there were eight missed penalties before the Nomads eventually came out on top as Neil Gibson claimed a significant victory in his first game at the helm.
And after a shaky start to the league season, both clubs clinched three points last weekend with 1-0 home wins as The New Saints beat Pen-y-bont, whilst Connah’s Quay saw off Airbus UK.
Saturday, 27 August
Caernarfon Town v Cardiff Met | Saturday – 14:30
Cardiff Met are the current league leaders after netting six goals without conceding once in their opening two games.
Ryan Jenkins has had a dream start to his managerial career as a Nathaniel MG Cup victory against Newtown in his first match was followed by two league wins against Connah’s Quay and Aberystwyth Town with striker Sam Jones grabbing a first half hat-trick at Park Avenue last Saturday (Aber 0-4 Met).
But Caernarfon Town have won their last five meetings with Cardiff Met, keeping four clean sheets in the process, and after picking up their first three points against Pontypridd United last Saturday the Cofis will be keen to end the Archers’ prefect record.
Haverfordwest County v Airbus UK | Saturday – 14:30
Haverfordwest County have had a strong start to the season as a win against Caernarfon Town was followed up with a point away at Bala Town.
Airbus UK on the other hand are still searching for their first point since their return to the top-flight after losing their opening fixtures against Aberystwyth Town and Connah’s Quay.
Haverfordwest County won 2-1 away at Airbus UK in last year’s JD Welsh Cup third round thanks to a rocket from Kieran Lewis and a late strike by Touray Sisay.
But before then, Airbus had won seven on the bounce against the Bluebirds, and the Broughton bunch haven’t lost at Bridge Meadow since September 2010.
Pen-y-bont v Flint Town United | Saturday – 14:30
Flint Town United will be looking to make it three wins in three as the Silkmen travel to the SDM Glass Stadium on Saturday.
The new manager and the new players have settled in quickly to the demands of the JD Cymru Premier as Lee Fowler’s side are level on points at the summit with Cardiff Met.
Pen-y-bont almost held on for a crucial draw at Park Hall last Saturday, but a late deflected header from Ryan Brobbel stole the points for The New Saints.
Flint Town United are on a run of six games without a loss against Pen-y-bont (won five, drawn one) which includes their penalty shoot-out victory in last season’s play-off semi-final.
Pontypridd United v Aberystwyth Town | Saturday – 14:30
The top of the table might look a little unfamiliar but it’s no real surprise to see that the newly promoted sides make up the bottom two.
It hasn’t been the best of starts for Pontypridd United in their first season in the JD Cymru Premier with back-to-back defeats and no goals scored.
But Andrew Stokes might fancy his chances on Saturday as Ponty welcome Aberystwyth Town who were on the wrong end of a 4-0 hammering by Cardiff Met last weekend.
This will be the first meeting between the teams since Pontypridd knocked Aberystwyth Town out of the Welsh Cup back in November 2005 through an extra time 1-0 winner.
All goals can be viewed on Sgorio’s online accounts, and the weekend’s highlights will be on Sgorio on Monday night at 9:30 on S4C.
Wedi dwy rownd o gemau mae ‘na ddau dîm annisgwyl ar frig tabl Uwch Gynghrair Cymru gan mae Met Caerdydd a’r Fflint yw’r unig glybiau i ennill eu dwy gêm agoriadol eleni.
