Pontypridd have been successful in their appeal for a tier 1 license to play in the JD Cymru Premier and therefore will be promoted to the top-flight next season, replacing Barry Town United who will drop down to the JD Cymru South.
But its Llantwit Major who have won the JD Cymru South championship this season and unfortunately for them they have become the 7th club in 11 seasons to win the league and fail to secure the required license to gain promotion.
It’s the final weekend of the JD Cymru Premier season, and with the main positions at the top and tail of the table already decided the attention now turns to the race for 7th place to see who will be competing in the end of season play-offs.
TOP SIX
Bala Town (2nd) v Pen-y-bont (6th) | Saturday – 12:45
Following a 2-0 win away at Caernarfon Town on Easter Monday, Bala Town have secured their place in Europe for the eighth time in their history.
This is only the third time that Bala Town have claimed the runners-up spot in the JD Cymru Premier, and the first time in six years following a remarkable run since December which includes just one defeat in 16 league games (won 10, drawn five).
Bala Town started the second phase two points adrift of Pen-y-bont who were leading the race for second place, but nine games later and the Lakesiders are 16 points clear of Rhys Griffiths’ gang.
Pen-y-bont are currently on their worst ever spell in the JD Cymru Premier after losing six matches on the bounce, but they could still qualify for Europe via the Welsh Cup route.
The boys from Bridgend will have to beat The New Saints for the first time in their history in the JD Welsh Cup final next month if they are to secure European football.
Pen-y-bont secured their place in the final by beating Bala Town on penalties in the semi-final, but Colin Caton’s crew got their revenge two weeks later with a 5-0 thrashing at the SDM Glass Stadium.
League form:
Bala Town: ✅➖✅✅✅
Pen-y-bont: ❌❌❌❌❌
Flint Town United (5th) v Newtown (3rd) | Saturday – 12:45
The European dream is far from over for Newtown, although their fate now lies completely in the hands of The New Saints.
As the Saints have already qualified for Europe by winning the league, a victory for the Oswestry outfit in next week’s JD Welsh Cup final would secure the Robins’ place in Europe as the next highest finishers in the league.
Flint Town United are hoping to finish the season in 4th position for the first time since 1993/94 while Newtown have confirmed 3rd place which is their highest finish since 1997/98.
Newtown have won five of their last six meetings with Flint Town United, but it was the Silkmen who came out on top when the teams last went head-to-head at Cae-y-Castell (Flint 4-1 New).
League form:
Flint Town United: ❌❌❌❌✅
Newtown: ✅✅✅❌❌
The New Saints (1st) v Caernarfon Town (4th) | Saturday – 12:45
The New Saints will be looking for a strong performance ahead of next week’s Welsh Cup final, and three points this Saturday would take them to 80 points for the first time since 2016/17.
Caernarfon Town are aiming to equal their highest finish in the top-flight, which was 4th in 1996/97 and 2018/19.
The New Saints are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with the Caernarfon Town (won six, drawn one) and Anthony Limbrick’s lineup have scored 12 goals in their three matches against the Cofis this season with 10 different players finding the net for the champions (TNS 5-3 Cfon, Cfon 0-4 TNS, Cfon 0-3 TNS).
League form:
The New Saints: ✅➖✅✅✅
Caernarfon Town: ❌✅❌✅❌
BOTTOM SIX
Aberystwyth Town (8th) v Connah’s Quay (10th) | Saturday – 12:45
After securing their safety in the league for another season, four of the Bottom Six sides now turn their attentions to the hunt for 7th spot and a place in the play-offs.
The winners of this year’s play-offs will get to compete in the Scottish Challenge Cup, and with just two points separating Cardiff Met, Aberystwyth Town, Haverfordwest County and Connah’s Quay, all four clubs are in contention to reach the elusive 7th position.
Aberystwyth Town start the weekend level on points with Cardiff Met (7th), while Connah’s Quay trail the two teams by two points.
For Connah’s Quay to finish 7th, they would have to beat Aberystwyth Town, and the match between Haverfordwest County and Cardiff Met would have to end in a draw.
The Nomads will be confident that they can do their part as they are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with Aberystwyth Town (won nine, drawn one).
League form:
Aberystwyth Town: ❌✅➖✅✅
Connah’s Quay: ✅✅➖✅✅
Cefn Druids (12th) v Barry Town United (11th) | Saturday – 12:45
It’s been five years since Barry Town United regained their top flight status after rising from the ashes, but following the confirmation of Pontypridd’s promotion, the Jenner Park contingent will now drop back down to the JD Cymru South.
Barry Town United had battled hard to stay up, going three games without defeat at the start of this month, but two defeats against Haverfordwest County and Aberystwyth Town over the Easter weekend sealed their fate in the relegation zone.
Cefn Druids have just six points to their name this season and must win on Saturday to avoid breaking their own record as the worst team to ever play in the JD Cymru Premier.
Afan Lido has the worst record since the 12-team format was introduced (15 points from 32 games in 2013/14), but the lowest tally in the history of the league is nine points from Cemaes Bay in 1997/98 (38 games) and Cefn Druids in 2009/10 (34 games).
Gavin Chesterfield will be confident that his side can say farewell in style as the Dragons have won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Druids.
League form:
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌❌
Barry Town United: ✅✅➖❌❌
Haverfordwest County (9th) v Cardiff Met (7th) | Saturday – 12:45
After 13 years at the helm at Cyncoed Campus, this will be Dr Christian Edwards’ final league game in charge of Cardiff Met.
Christian Edwards played over 100 games for Swansea City and spent long spells at Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers before starting his coaching career.
Cardiff Met have enjoyed three promotions under Christian Edwards’ leadership, and the players will be determined to claim the 7th spot to secure at least one more game for their long-serving manager.
Haverfordwest County are also seeking 7th spot, which would be their highest finish since the 2008/09 season.
But the Archers have an impressive record against the Bluebirds currently, as the students have lost just one of their previous six meetings with Haverfordwest County (won four, drawn one).
League form:
Haverfordwest County: ❌❌✅✅❌
Cardiff Met: ✅❌➖❌✅
Highlights will be available on Sgorio’s online accounts.
