JD Cymru Premier Preview

A pivotal weekend awaits in the JD Cymru Premier as the top two prepare to go head-to-head at the Deeside Stadium, while Neil Gibson takes charge for the first time as the newly appointed manager of Flint Town United.

Saturday, 12 December

Caernarfon Town v Barry Town United | Saturday – 14:30

After lengthy runs without a win both clubs finally tasted victory in their last outings and will want to build on those triumphs this weekend.

Caernarfon Town had gone seven games without a win before finally beating bottom side Cefn Druids at The Rock on Tuesday night.

Barry Town United’s midweek fixture against Haverfordwest County was postponed, but after hitting six past Flint last Saturday, Gavin Chesterfield will hope that his strikers can continue that form this weekend.

The Cofis have won four of their last five home games against Barry Town United, but it was the Dragons who won the reverse fixture earlier this season with Kayne McLaggon netting twice in a 3-1 win for Barry at Jenner Park.

Recent form:

Caernarfon Town: ❌❌➖❌✅

Barry Town United: ➖❌➖❌✅

Cefn Druids v Haverfordwest County | Saturday – 14:30

Cefn Druids’ disappointing spell continued as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Caernarfon on Tuesday night which left Bruno Lopes’ side four points from safety after winning only once in 13 games this season.

These clubs met only a week ago when Josef Faux put the Druids ahead in the 46th minute in Pembrokeshire before Elliot Scotcher’s last minute free kick pinched a point for Haverfordwest.

After three games without defeat, Haverfordwest County have climbed into the top half of the table, and the Bluebirds will be confident ahead of this fixture as they haven’t lost any of their last five games against the Ancients.

Recent form:

Cefn Druids: ❌➖❌➖❌

Haverfordwest County: ➖❌✅✅➖

Pen-y-bont v Flint Town United | Saturday – 14:30

Having lost 11 out of 14 games this season, Niall McGuinness was relieved of his duties as Flint Town United manager following their 6-3 defeat at Barry last Saturday.

With the Silkmen sitting one point from safety, the club have appointed ex-Prestatyn manager Neil Gibson to try and guide the team up the table.

It’s a fresh challenge for the well–respected manager, but one that will be made easier by the fact that several members of the current Flint squad were part of Gibson’s title winning Prestatyn side in the Cymru North last season.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs, but after thrashing Caernarfon 6-0 last Saturday, Pen-y-bont will be eager to reinforce their place in the Top Six.

Recent form:

Pen-y-bont: ❌✅❌➖✅

Flint Town United: ❌✅❌❌❌

Bala Town v Cardiff Met | Saturday – 14:30

Seven days since the 1-1 draw between these two at Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff Met and Bala Town will meet again at Maes Tegid on Saturday.

Cardiff Met haven’t lost any of their last six meetings with Bala Town and after three games without defeat the students have a chance to rise into the top half this weekend.

A 1-2 away win at Aberystwyth on Wednesday night means that Bala Town are now unbeaten in 11 games, and Colin Caton’s side will expect to extend that run on Saturday making it their longest stretch without a loss since 2013.

Recent form:

Bala Town: ✅✅➖➖✅

Cardiff Met: ➖❌✅✅➖

Connah’s Quay v The New Saints | Saturday – 16:30 (S4C)

Arguably the biggest game of the season, the league’s top two teams will meet in a vital clash at the Deeside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The New Saints start the weekend three points above the Nomads and Scott Ruscoe will set his sights on opening a six–point lead at the summit.

But Connah’s Quay have only lost one of their last five at home against TNS, and Andy Morrison will be determined to take the opportunity to go level on points with their opponents.

The Saints are the only team that remain unbeaten this season, while the Nomads’ sole defeat came in the reverse fixture against TNS in October.

Louis Robles scored the only goal of the game when the clubs met at Park Hall, but Connah’s Quay felt hard done by with the result and will be hell-bent on putting things right this weekend.