It’s the final weekend of the season before the European play-offs and there’s still a league title to be won! Will it be Connah’s Quay who lift the coveted JD Cymru Premier trophy on Saturday? Or will The New Saints win the title for the 14th time?
Andy Morrison’s side have a two point advantage at the top of the league, meaning that a win at Pen-y-bont would secure a second successive championship for the Nomads.
Both matches will be shown live on Sgorio – Pen-y-bont v Connah’s Quay live on S4C from 11.45 and The New Saints against Bala Town will be live on Sgorio’s social media channels, kick off at 12.00.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE
Pen-y-bont (4th) v Connah’s Quay (1st) | Saturday – 12:00
Connah’s Quay are a whisker away from winning the league title for the second season running – a win at Pen-y-bont would see the title remain in Deeside for another year.
It will be easier said than done against Rhys Griffiths’ men, a side that Connah’s Quay have managed to defeat only once in the last four meetings between the clubs.
Since losing 0-2 at home to Pen-y-bont last month, the Nomads have lost only one of their last eight matches (away to Bala Town).
The Nomads’ away record has been solid over the course of the season – they’ve only lost twice on the road in the league.
Pen-y-bont have secured 4th spot and a place in the European play-offs for the first time in the club’s history. Bont will welcome Newtown to the SDM Glass Stadium next weekend for the semi-final.
Previous meetings: Connah’s Quay 1-0 Pen-y-bont, Pen-y-bont 0-0 Connah’s Quay, Connah’s Quay 0-2 Pen-y-bont
Form guide:
Pen-y-bont: ✅✅➖❌❌
Connah’s Quay: ✅❌➖✅✅
Barry Town United (5th) v Caernarfon Town (6th) | Saturday – 12:00
This match will make for an interesting preview as to what we can expect next weekend when the sides meet again in the European play-off semi-final – likely to be played at Jenner Park.
Barry Town United are on track to finish one position above Caenarfon Town for the third successive season.
Caernarfon Town convincingly beat Barry Town United 5-0 at Jenner Park back in 2004, but since their promotion back to the JD Cymru Premier in 2018, the Cofis have failed to win on any of their five trips to Barry Town (lost 3, drawn 2).
Both sides have struggled since the resumption of the league in March – the Canaries have won only one of their last 10 matches, whilst the Dragons are without a win in their last eight – their worst run in the league since the 2003/04 season.
Previous meetings: Barry Town United 3-1 Caernarfon Town, Caernarfon Town 2-0 Barry Town United, Caernarfon Town 0-1 Barry Town United
Form guide:
Barry Town United: ❌❌❌❌❌
Caernarfon Town: ❌➖➖✅❌
The New Saints (2nd) v Bala Town (3rd) | Saturday – 12:00
The New Saints’ fate is out of their hands ahead of the final day – Anthony Limbrick’s side must beat Bala at Park Hall and hope that Pen-y-bont can get a result against Connah’s Quay in order to bring the league title back to Oswestry.
If the Saints are unsuccessful on Saturday, they will have failed to win the league for two consecutive seasons – something that has not happened since Llanelli won the league in 2008 before Rhyl’s win in 2009.
TNS’ home record against Bala will encourage them before this weekend’s fixture – they have never lost a home game to the Lakesiders.
Bala have finished the season strongly, winning six of their last eight matches.
Despite the disappointment of being 16 points behind league leaders Connah’s Quay, Bala will finish the season in 3rd place. They have also reached Europe for the sixth time in seven seasons, some achievement!
Previous meetings: Bala Town 1-1 The New Saints, The New Saints 0-0 Bala Town, Bala Town 0-1 The New Saints
Form guide:
The New Saints: ❌➖➖✅✅
Bala Town: ✅✅✅❌✅
PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE
Haverfordwest County (9th) v Cefn Druids (12th) | Saturday – 12:00
Having ended the first phase in 7th position with an eight point cushion between themselves and the rest of the pack, Haverfordwest County will undoubtedly be very disappointed at how they’ve finished the season.
A poor run of results consisting of one win in their last 10 matches has seen the Bluebirds tumble into 9th place.
Haverfordwest County do however have the opportunity to end the season on a high note against a Cefn Druids side who’ve lost every single one of their last eight matches.
The Ancients are suffering at the moment, having conceded a minimum of five goals in each of their last five matches.
Haverfordwest County are the only side in the league who have failed to beat Cefn Druids this season.
Druids have won seven points out of a possible nine against Haverfordwest County this season, 44% of their entire points total for the season (7/16).
Despite seemingly being Haverfordwest County’s bogey team, Druids haven’t won at Bridge Meadow since 2006.
Previous meetings: Haverfordwest County 1-1 Cefn Druids, Cefn Druids 4-1 Haverfordwest County, Cefn Druids 2-1 Haverfordwest County
Form guide:
Haverfordwest County: ➖❌❌➖❌
Cefn Druids: ❌❌❌❌❌
Cardiff Met (8th) v Flint Town United (10fed) | Saturday – 12:00
After a slow start to the season, Met have been playing like a different side recently.
The Archers have put together an impressive eight–match unbeaten run and have won the last four of those matches.
Flint Town United have also shown what they can do as of late, losing only two of their last ten matches and if results go their way this weekend, Neil Gibson’s side could finish the season in 9th place.
Flint are the only club that Met managed to beat twice in the first half of the season, but the Silkmen got their revenge after the split – teaching the students a lesson in the form of a 2-0 home win in March.
Previous meetings: Cardiff Met 2-1 Flint Town United, Flint Town United 0-1 Cardiff Met, Flint Town United 2-0 Cardiff Met
Form guide:
Cardiff Met: ➖✅✅✅✅
Flint Town United: ➖❌✅✅➖
Newtown (7th) v Aberystwyth Town (11th) | Saturday – 12:00
The Robins of Newtown are flying after securing a place in the European play-offs last weekend.
A complete contrast of emotions to Aberystwyth Town who are in real danger of finishing in the league’s bottom two for the first time in their history. Aber will be relieved that relegation is off the table for this season!
The Seasiders have only won one of their last 14 matches away at Newtown.
Previous meetings: Newtown 1-1 Aberystwyth Town, Aberystwyth Town 1-0 Newtown, Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Newtown
Form guide:
Newtown: ✅✅✅❌✅
Aberystwyth Town: ➖✅❌➖➖
Highlights will be on Sgorio this Monday at 17:30.
