The regular season has come to an end, and it was an exciting final weekend, with Flint Town United narrowly avoiding relegation as Bala Town conceded late against Briton Ferry Llansawel, thereby losing their place in the JD Cymru Premier after 16 years in the top flight.
Promoted to the JD Cymru Premier next season are Llandudno, Airbus UK, Holywell Town, Trefelin, Cambrian, and Ammanford, as the league expands to 16 clubs.
Three clubs have secured their place in Europe for next season: the top two in the table, The New Saints and Connah’s Quay, as well as Welsh Cup winners Caernarfon.
The fourth European spot will go to the winners of the play-offs, and this weekend Colwyn Bay will face Pen-y-bont in the semi-final, while Barry Town United will host Haverfordwest County.
Colwyn Bay (5th) v Pen-y-bont (6th) | Saturday – 12:45 (S4C)
Of the four clubs competing in the play-offs this year, Colwyn Bay are the only ones who have not previously experienced European football.
With an average crowd of over 1,000 supporters, the Seagulls have attracted more spectators than any other club in the league this season, and the home advantage could have a significant impact on this match.
On the other hand, Michael Wilde’s side finished the regular season on a run of three games without a win, including a goalless draw away to Pen-y-bont.
That was the fourth meeting between the clubs this season, with Pen-y-bont winning once in September, Colwyn Bay winning twice at Llanelian Road, before the goalless encounter in March.
Following their away draw at Connah’s Quay on Saturday, Michael Wilde was feeling positive ahead of the play-offs:
“I think momentum is massive going into next week. Now we find ourselves at home in front of our fans which is brilliant and also we’ve got everybody chomping at the bit, fully fit, no suspensions, so everything’s geared up for next week now.”
“I know that Rhys will set them up really well, I also know that it will be a totally different occasion than what it is in the league because it’s almost treated as a cup final.”
It has been a hugely disappointing season for Pen-y-bont, who have failed to maintain their standards after finishing second last season.
The poor run began at Llanelian Road in November, with the Bluebirds losing 5-4 against Colwyn Bay, and since then Pen-y-bont have won just once in 16 matches (vs Llanelli).
Pen-y-bont have not beaten a Top Six club since September (vs Colwyn Bay), and Rhys Griffiths’ side have not scored more than once in a match since that 5-4 defeat to the Seagulls in November.
The club are now on a run of 11 games without a win (4 draws, 7 defeats), and Rhys Griffiths admitted the club are not in an ideal position heading into the play-offs:
“We’ve got the unenviable record of having a full league campaign without one penalty, and we could’ve had half a dozen in the last month.”
“We go up to Colwyn Bay where we’ve been well beaten twice already this season… we’re on a horrendous run and we’re by far the outsiders in the playoffs.”
Pen-y-bont have represented Wales in Europe twice in the last three years, but the Blues have never won the play-offs.
Noah Daley will be the player to watch for the visitors, with the 23-year old forward scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in his first season for Pen-y-bont in the JD Cymru Premier.
For Colwyn Bay, Jordan Davies is the danger-man, having scored 13 goals and provided four assists, including a hat-trick against Pen-y-bont at Llanelian Road in the first phase of the season.
League form:
Colwyn Bay: ͏✅✅➖❌➖
Pen-y-bont: ❌❌➖❌❌
Barry Town United (3rd) v Haverfordwest County (7th) | Sunday – 17:00 (Live online)
It has been an excellent season for Barry Town United, who have finished the regular season in their highest position for seven years and lifted the League Cup for the first time in a quarter of a century.
With six wins in their last nine matches, and five clean sheets, the Dragons have been on a strong run, and manager Andy Legg is confident ahead of the play-offs:
“We’ve had a good season, we’ve won a trophy, finished 3rd in the league and we can look forward to the play-offs. It’s gonna be difficult because there’s not much between the teams… but we’ve got home advantage and we’ve got to make that count.”
The teams have met three times this season, with Barry Town winning on all three occasions, and young striker Ieuan Owen scoring for in each of those matches.
However, the momentum is certainly with Haverfordwest County, who have won eight of their 10 league matches in the Bottom Six since the split, keeping eight clean sheets.
There is no denying that Haverfordwest’s fixtures have been easier in the lower half, with the Bluebirds winning 6-0 against already-relegated Llanelli last weekend, but confidence in the squad will be high.
Ben Ahmun is the main threat for Haverfordwest County, as the towering striker has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in the league this season.
The Bluebirds have won the play-offs twice in the last three years, and Tony Pennock will be hoping that experience can guide Haverfordwest County to become the first club ever to win the play-offs three times.
“The boys have been fantastic in phase two, and probably the back half of phase one… We were bottom of the league in October so to turn it around and perform the way they have, especially in phase two – eight clean sheets, eight wins is a great record and the boys should be proud of themselves.”
“We go to Barry, we’ve lost to them three times this year, we know how tough it’s gonna be. They’ll be obvious favourites for it being at home as well, and I just said to the lads we’ve got nothing to lose now, we’ve achieved our aim to get to the play-offs and we can go and play with freedom and hopefully give a good account of ourselves.”
League form:
Barry Town United: ❌✅➖✅❌
Haverfordwest County: ✅❌✅✅✅
The match highlights will be available on Sgorio’s social media platforms, and the winners of the semi-finals will compete in the play-off final live on S4C at 5:25 on Saturday, 2 May.
