The battle for the final spot in the Genero Adran Premier top four has come down to the final fixture of phase one as Aberystwyth Town host The New Saints on Sunday, live on Sgorio.
The two teams are level on points after 13 matches, but the Seasiders occupy fourth place ahead of the fifth-place Saints by virtue of goal difference. It means that the hosts need to avoid defeat to earn their top half spot, while Greg Draper’s side must win.
The clubs come into the game on contrasting form. Aber have picked up four points from their last two matches – including an impressive 1-1 draw away at Swansea City last weekend – while TNS have suffered four consecutive losses.
It was a seven-goal thriller when they last met in the league at the start of November, with Aberystwyth leading 2-0 before TNS came back to triumph 4-3.
When they last went head-to-head at Park Avenue in December 2022, the Seasiders came from three goals down and scored a 96th-minute equaliser to draw 3-3 so the stage is certainly set for another entertaining encounter.
The Genero Adran Premier’s top two face off as Cardiff City host Swansea City in a much-anticipated derby day clash in the capital.
As the Swans dropped points against Aberystwyth last weekend, the Bluebirds went eight points clear at the top of the table with a 3-1 victory away at Barry Town United.
It is now 16 consecutive victories in all competitions for Iain Darbyshire’s side and they have not lost a Genero Adran Premier fixture since March 2022 – against Swansea City.
Chris Church’s side will be determined to end that remarkable streak, particularly they are on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions themselves.
Their last defeat came in November’s reverse fixture against the Bluebirds, as Molly Kehoe’s 67th-minute goal proved decisive in a 1-0 victory for the league leaders.
If Swansea drop points in the capital, Wrexham will finish phase one in second place if they triumph at home against Cardiff Met.
It has been an impressive first season in the Genero Adran Premier for Steve Dale’s side and they have started 2024 in fine form – winning four of their last five matches.
In contrast, it has been a difficult campaign for Met after a summer overhaul and they find themselves looking ahead to phase two in the bottom half for the first time. The Archers, who sit seventh in the table, are on a run of three consecutive defeats without scoring a goal.
Goals from Rosie Hughes, Mari Gibbard and Ava Suckley earned Wrexham a 3-0 victory at Cyncoed earlier in the season.
Bottom side Pontypridd United will be keen to ensure that they do not finish phase one without a win as they travel to Barry Town United.
The Dragons have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, holding their own in defeats to Cardiff City and Wrexham, but they still find themselves with just one point to their name – 10 points adrift of safety.
Barry have already earned their highest ever phase one points total, thanks to consecutive wins against Cardiff Met and The New Saints in January before they were beaten 3-1 by Cardiff City last weekend.
Aimee Deacon, Holly Jenkins and India Shanahan found the net in the Linnets’ 3-0 victory over Pontypridd at USW Sports Park in November.
