There are four clubs level on points at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, and two of those clubs will meet at Maes Tegid this Saturday when Bala Town host Pen-y-bont.
Friday, 30 August
Haverfordwest County (4th) v Newtown (5th) | Friday – 19:45 (Live online)
With two wins and two draws it has been a solid start to the season for Haverfordwest County, who are level on points with three other clubs at the top of the league.
Haverfordwest County’s last two games have ended goalless (against Pen-y-bont and Cardiff Met), and Tony Pennock’s side have only conceded one goal in their four league games so far.
Following a disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Caernarfon Town last Friday, Newtown responded well with a 2-1 away win at Barry Town United on Bank Holiday Monday.
Haverfordwest County have only won one of their last six encounters with Newtown (L3, D2), but that was a crucial penalty shoot-out win in the 2022/23 play-off final, with the Bluebirds securing their place in Europe.
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ✅✅➖͏➖
Newtown: ͏✅➖❌✅
Saturday, 31 August
Caernarfon Town (6th) v Cardiff Met (2nd) | Saturday – 14:30
After losing their opening fixture against Haverfordwest County, Caernarfon Town have kept two clean sheets in a row beating Newtown and taking a point against Bala Town.
Cardiff Met are one of the four teams at the top of the league who have not lost any of their opening four matches.
Despite their 0-0 draw against Haverfordwest County on Monday, Cardiff Met are the top scorers in the league (8 goals), mainly because they hit five against Briton Ferry Llansawel last Friday.
The teams met on five occasions last season, and after an equal record in the league, the Cofis got the better of the Archers in the end, beating the students 2-0 in the semi-final of the European play-offs, thanks to late goals from Marc Williams and Adam Davies.
League form:
Caernarfon Town: ❌✅➖
Cardiff Met: ͏✅➖✅➖
Briton Ferry Llansawel (12th) v Connah’s Quay (7th) | Saturday – 14:30
It has been a difficult start to the season for Briton Ferry Llansawel since their promotion to the top-flight, with the newcomers losing their opening three games against Pen-y-bont, Bala Town and Cardiff Met.
But it was an ideal start for Billy Paynter in his first game as new manager of Connah’s Quay on Monday, with the Nomads winning 1-0 in their derby against Flint Town United.
Neither team has been firing in front of goal this year with Briton Ferry Llansawel scoring only once in three games, and Connah’s Quay scoring only two in three.
The current Briton Ferry Llansawel club was formed in 2009, and this will be their first ever meeting with Connah’s Quay.
League form:
Briton Ferry Llansawel: ❌❌❌
Connah’s Quay: ͏❌➖✅
Bala Town (3rd) v Pen-y-bont (1st) | Saturday – 14:30
The biggest game of the weekend will be held at Maes Tegid with Bala Town and Pen-y-bont determined to keep their unbeaten record alive.
Despite missing out on the Top Six and European football last year, Pen-y-bont have been tipped to finish as runners-up this season.
Pen-y-bont had kept nine clean sheets in a row in the league before conceding in their 5-1 win against Aberystwyth on Monday.
Bala Town have also defended bravely recently and have kept three clean sheets in a row.
Bala Town are on a run of five games without defeat against Pen-y-bont, and Colin Caton’s team won both of their matches against Rhys Griffiths’ boys last season.
League form:
Bala Town: ➖✅✅➖
Pen-y-bont: ͏✅➖͏➖✅
Barry Town United (10th) v Flint Town United (11th) | Saturday – 14:30
It will be a crucial game at Jenner Park between two teams that have not had the best start to the season.
After decent draws against Bala Town and Cardiff Met, Barry Town United will be disappointed to have lost their two games over the Bank Holiday weekend, against Aberystwyth Town and Newtown.
Flint Town United are still waiting for their first point since being promoted back to the JD Cymru Premier, with the Silkmen having lost all four fixtures so far.
The clubs have not met since the 2021/22 season when Flint Town United won both of their games against the Dragons.
League form:
Barry Town United: ➖➖❌❌
Flint Town United: ͏❌❌❌❌
The highlights of the games will be available on Sgorio’s social websites and the best of the weekend’s action on S4C on Monday night.
