A draw at Connah’s Quay on Friday night would be enough for The New Saints to secure the JD Cymru Premier league title.
TOP SIX
Connah’s Quay v The New Saints | Friday – 19:45 (S4C online)
There are only six rounds of matches left to play in the JD Cymru Premier season, and with The New Saints currently 17 points clear of 2nd placed Connah’s Quay, a draw on Friday would be enough to clinch the title.
The New Saints have only lost once in 26 league games this season, and it would be a significant statement from the Oswestry outfit if they could secure the championship at the home of their biggest rivals, Connah’s Quay.
The New Saints have won nine of the last 11 championships, with Connah’s Quay lifting the trophy back-to-back in 2019/20 and 2020/21.
This would the Saints’ 15th championship, extending their record as the most successful club in the league’s history, and captain Chris Marriott is expected to become the most decorated player in the league’s history if he receives his 11th winners’ medal.
Despite the 17-point margin, their head-to-head record in the last 10 meetings has been equal with Connah’s Quay winning four games, The New Saints winning four, and the other two games ending in draws.
Nevertheless, their recent form do not match as the Nomads have only won one of their last eight league games (drawn six, lost one), while TNS have won eight of their last 10 league fixtures (drawn one, lost one).
League form:
Connah’s Quay: ➖✅➖➖❌
The New Saints: ✅➖✅❌✅
Bala Town v Cardiff Met | Saturday – 14:30
There’s just three points separating Bala Town and Cardiff Met in the race for European qualification, and as Bala Town have already secured a place in the Welsh Cup final, a 3rd place finish in the league would guarantee the Lakesiders’ ticket to Europe
Cardiff Met go into the weekend five points behind runners-up Connah’s Quay in the automatic qualification spot and the Archers will certainly want to push the Nomads all the way.
Bala Town have gone six league games without a win for the first time since November 2021, and the Gwynedd gang will be eager not to extend that run, as they haven’t gone seven league games without a win since September 2012.
Cardiff Met had gone nine games without defeat between December and February, but after becoming the only team to beat The New Saints in the league this season, the Archers have failed to win in any of their three games since (lost two, drawn one).
These clubs have met three times this season with Bala Town winning 2-0 twice at Maes Tegid, and Cardiff Met winning 1-0 at Cyncoed Campus.
League form:
Bala Town: ❌❌➖➖❌
Cardiff Met: ➖❌❌✅✅
Newtown v Pen-y-bont | Saturday – 14:30
After fielding ineligible substitutes in two league games, Pen-y-bont will possibly face a six point deduction once the FAW concludes their inquest.
Pen-y-bont are on a run of nine league games without defeat (won five, drawn four), whilst Newtown have only won once in six league outings (drawn three, lost two).
Pen-y-bont were the team to score the most goals against Newtown in their two league meetings during the first phase of the season (New 2-3 Pen, Pen 3-0 New).
League form:
Newtown: ➖✅❌➖❌
Pen-y-bont:➖➖✅➖✅
BOTTOM SIX
Caernarfon Town (8th) v Aberystwyth Town (11th) | Friday – 19:45
Both Caernarfon Town and Aberystwyth Town will be looking to bounce back after disappointing defeats last Saturday.
Caernarfon Town fell to a 1-0 defeat at Pontypridd United, allowing Haverfordwest County to climb above them into the all-important 7th spot as the Bluebirds won 0-1 away at Aberystwyth Town.
The latest loss for Aberystwyth Town leaves them four points adrift of safety, and with only six games left to play the Seasiders could be facing relegation for the first time ever.
Aberystwyth Town are one of only two clubs who have been ever-present since the league’s formation back in 1992 (along with Newtown), and Anthony Williams will be desperate not to see the Black & Greens slip into the second tier.
Above Aberystwyth, there’s only three points seperating four clubs in the race to reach the play-offs by finishing 7th.
Caernarfon Town and Aberystwyth Town have met twice this season with both teams winning their home games by 2-1 during the first phase.
After 26 league games, Aberystwyth Town are still seeking their first clean sheet of the season, but they did beat the Cofis in January, and it looks like they’ll need to repeat that feat to keep their survival prospects alive.
League form:
Caernarfon Town: ❌➖✅✅❌
Aberystwyth Town: ❌✅➖❌✅
Haverfordwest County (7th) v Airbus UK (12th) | Saturday – 14:30
Haverfordwest County lead the way in the Bottom Six as the Bluebirds aim to reach the play-offs for the first time in their history.
Haverfordwest County have been impressive at home and haven’t lost at Bridge Meadow since October, winning matches against Pen-y-bont and Connah’s Quay amongst others.
The Bluebirds have won their last three meetings with Airbus UK, incuding their double triumph in the first phase (Hav 3-0 Air, Air 1-2 Hav).
After losing 25 of their 26 league games this season, Airbus UK have already been relegated and will drop back down to the JD Cymru North.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ✅❌✅❌✅
Airbus UK: ❌❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United (9th) v Pontypridd United (10th) | Saturday – 14:30
There’s just one point between Flint Town United and Pontypridd United in the middle of the Bottom Six, and a win for either team would put them in contention to compete for 7th place.
Flint Town United can boast a fine home record having lost only once in their last eight games at the Essity Stadium.
Pontypridd United are the team with the best record in the league since the split (won three, drawn one), and after a slow start they are now in a strong position to avoid the drop.
Flint Town United have already beaten Pontypridd United twice this season, with striker Zack Clarke netting a hatrick in his first appearance for the Silkmen against Ponty back in January (Flint 4-1 Pont).
League form:
Flint Town United: ✅➖❌✅✅
Pontypridd United: ✅✅➖✅❌
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.
