After some dramatic cup action in midweek, another enticing weekend awaits across the JD Cymru Leagues. Here are the key games to keep an eye on.
JD Cymru Premier – Briton Ferry Llansawel v Caernarfon Town (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Briton Ferry Llansawel and Caernarfon Town meet at the Renewable Centre Stadium, with both sides enjoying strong starts to the campaign.
Ferry, who defeated champions The New Saints on the opening weekend, have lost just one of their first five league matches and currently sit fifth in the table with a game in hand on all teams above them. Tom Walters scored twice in 2-2 draw away at Colwyn Bay in their last league outing.
Caernarfon came from behind to win 3-1 against Barry Town United last weekend, a result which maintained the Cofis’ record as the only remaining unbeaten side in the league this season and took them three points clear at the top of the table.
Both sides head into Saturday’s fixture after thrilling victories in the Nathaniel MG Cup in midweek. Ferry progressed on penalties away at Penybont after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, while Caernarfon came from two goals down against Holywell Town to also draw 2-2 and go through via a shootout.
The Cofis did the double over the Reds last season, with Zack Clarke’s hat-trick securing an entertaining 3-2 win at The Oval, before Darren Thomas’ first half strike gave the Cofis a 1-0 victory on the road.
JD Cymru Premier – Barry Town United v Bala Town (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Saturday’s live game on Sgorio sees Bala Town look to continue their impressive start to the season away at Barry Town United.
The Lakesiders currently sit third in the table and are unbeaten in their last three league matches after wins against Llanelli Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads were followed by a goalless stalemate with Penybont. However, Steve Fisher’s side will be looking to respond following their Nathaniel MG Cup exit in midweek, as they lost on penalties to JD Cymru North side Newtown.
Barry Town United v Bala Town
Ninth-place Barry are winless in their last five league matches, losing 3-1 against Caernarfon Town last weekend despite Ollie Hulbert’s early opener. The Linnets did return to winning ways in midweek though, as Ieuan Owen scored the only goal in a 1-0 home victory over Llanelli Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
The two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the JD Cymru Premier last season, but Bala triumphed 3-1 in December’s reverse fixture and would go on to pip Barry to a place in the top half by just two points at the end of Phase One.
Predict the outcome of Barry Town United v Bala Town in our JD Cymru Leagues Match Predictor.
JD Cymru North – Denbigh Town v Flint Mountain (Friday, 7:45pm)
JD Cymru North strugglers Flint Mountain will hope for better fortunes under new management when they travel to Denbigh Town on Friday night.
Mountain currently sit bottom of the table with just one point from their first six matches, with a 2-0 defeat to Brickfield Rangers proving to be Andrew Ruscoe’s last match at the helm. Liam Dickinson has been appointed as his successor, with the 25-year-old becoming the second youngest manager in the JD Cymru Leagues behind Llandudno’s Jordan Hadaway.
Denbigh have made a bright start to the campaign, earning 11 points from their first six matches to sit fifth in the table. Dewi Llion’s side returned to Central Park for the first time this season last weekend, as Nathan Brown’s seventh goal of the season salvaged a 1-1 draw against Buckley Town.
Both sides have already met this season as Denbigh triumphed 3-1 in the Nathaniel MG Cup first round. Last season’s first league meeting ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, but Mountain triumphed 2-0 in the reverse fixture in February, which remains their last away win in any competition.
JD Cymru South – Pontypridd United v Newport City (Friday, 7:30pm)
After claiming two impressive scalps in recent weeks, Pontypridd United host unbeaten Newport City at USW Sport Park on Friday night.
It has been a frustrating start to the season for the new-look Dragons as they picked up just one point from their opening five league matches. However, Mark Dunford’s side defeated JD Cymru South leaders Cambrian United on penalties in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup a fortnight ago before handing Carmarthen Town their first league defeat of the campaign last weekend as Jack Jones’ brace inspired a 3-1 victory.
Newport are one of just two sides – along with Ammanford – yet to taste defeat in the JD Cymru South this season. The Steelmen came from behind to win 2-1 at home over leaders Cambrian last weekend, with Kayne Mclaggon’s 87th-minute bicycle kick sealing victory in dramatic fashion, to climb to third in the table.
Ponty won 1-0 in the first league meeting between the two teams last season, but Newport would get their revenge with a 2-0 triumph in January.
Predict the outcome of Pontypridd United v Newport City in our JD Cymru Leagues Match Predictor.
