While the JD Cymru Premier’s top two teams, The New Saints and Caernarfon Town compete in the Scottish Challenge Cup third round this weekend, the remaining Welsh clubs will look to close the gap at the summit.
Friday, 23 September
Airbus UK (12th) v Newtown (9th) | Friday – 19:45
Airbus’ abysmal start to the season continues as the league’s newcomers have lost all six matches since their promotion back to the top-flight.
The Wingmakers will be desperate not to repeat the antics of Cefn Druids who were relegated last season with a total tally of nine points after failing to pick up a point from their opening seven games and failed to win a match until the end of March.
Things haven’t gone smoothly for Newtown either who sit just one point above the relegation zone following their defeat at home against Pen-y-bont last Saturday (New 2-3 Pen).
The Robins won 0-7 away at Airbus back in April 2017, but Chris Hughes’ crew haven’t scored in their two meetings with Airbus since that sumptuous victory.
League form:
Airbus UK: ❌❌❌❌❌
Newtown: ❌✅✅❌❌
Pen-y-bont (3rd) v Aberystwyth Town (11th) | Friday – 19:45
Pen-y-bont are one of three clubs, along with Caernarfon Town and Cardiff Met, who are joint-second, four points behind league leaders, The New Saints.
Aberystwyth Town caused quite a shock last weekend as they brought their run of four consecutive defeats to an end with a 2-1 win at home against Connah’s Quay.
But the celebrations didn’t last too long as the Black & Greens lost on penalties against Cardiff Met in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday night, while Pen-y-bont were beaten by tier two side, Ammanford.
Aberystwyth Town have never won away at the SDM Glass Stadium and it was Rhys Griffiths’ gang who comfortably came out on top in both meetings between the sides last season (Aber 0-3 Pen, Pen 4-0 Aber).
League form:
Pen-y-bont: ✅❌✅✅❌
Aberystwyth Town: ✅❌❌❌❌
Saturday, 24 September
Connah’s Quay (6th) v Pontypridd United (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
Connah’s Quay will feel slightly discouraged looking at the table and seeing the gap between themselves and The New Saints after only six games of the new season.
Despite winning their three home games without conceding a single goal, the Nomads trail the reigning champions by seven points after losing all three of their away fixtures (vs Met, TNS and Aber).
But Connah’s Quay’s fine home form continued on Tuesday as they beat Holywell 1-0 in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round, while Pontypridd United lost 2-0 to JD Cymru South outfit, Afan Lido.
Pontypridd United have only scored three goals in six league games since their promotion and could therefore struggle to break down the Nomads’ sturdy defence.
But Ponty’s 1-0 win at home to Airbus last weekend will have lifted their spirits, and another win would leave Andrew Stokes’ team level on points with Neil Gibson’s Nomads.
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ❌✅✅❌✅
Pontypridd United: ✅❌❌✅❌
Haverfordwest County (8th) v Flint Town United (5th) | Saturday – 14:30
Four consecutive defeats have seen Haverfordwest County slide down the table and drop out of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
The Bluebirds were top of the league after the opening three games, but now Tony Pennock’s team sit in 8th place and were beaten on penalties by Taff’s Well on Tuesday night.
Flint Town United secured their place in the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter final with a 3-1 win away at Ruthin Town on Wednesday night.
Flint Town United have won their last two home games against Haverfordwest County but have failed to score on their last two visits to Bridge Meadow.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ❌❌❌✅➖
Flint Town United: ➖❌✅❌✅
Bala Town (7th) v Cardiff Met (4th) | Saturday – 14:30
Cardiff Met have won four of their six league games without conceding a goal, but when the students lose, they do so in some style.
The Archers suffered their heaviest ever defeat in the league last Saturday as they were thrashed 0-7 at home to The New Saints.
Their only other defeat this season was a 5-1 loss at Caernarfon Town, so when it does rain, it pours for Ryan Jenkins’ men.
But Cardiff Met remain four points above Bala Town who have only won two of their six league games this season.
Both teams booked their place in the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter final in midweek as Bala saw off Caernarfon Town while Cardiff Met had to fight back to beat Aberystwyth Town on penalties.
It was impossible to separate these sides last season as both meetings ended goalless, but the league’s current top scorer, Sam Jones will be eager to add to his six-goal tally for the students on Saturday.
League form:
Bala Town: ➖✅❌✅➖
Cardiff Met: ❌✅✅❌✅
All goals can be viewed on Sgorio’s online accounts, and the weekend’s highlights will be on Sgorio on Monday night at 10:00 on S4C.
