Bala Town, Newtown and Cardiff Met all confirmed their places in the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference for phase two on the final weekend of 2023.
The Lakesiders and Robins met at Maes Tegid and it was Joe Malkin’s late brilliance that earned a crucial three points for Colin Caton’s side in a 2-1 comeback win.
After Newtown striker Aaron Williams found the breakthrough with his 16th league goal of the season early in the second half, Malkin’s deflected effort levelled the scoreline before the Bala no.10 struck again in the second minute of stoppage time with a cool finish into the bottom corner to book his side’s place in the top six.
Despite the defeat, Newtown also received confirmation of their place in the top half after Haverfordwest County were held to a 1-1 away at Aberystwyth Town.
Defender Harry Owen steered home a loose ball to give the Seasiders side the lead inside nine minutes, but the Bluebirds got themselves back on level terms before half-time through Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
That result at Park Avenue was also good news for Cardiff Met, whose point in a 0-0 draw away at Barry Town United also saw them claim a top six spot.
The two south Wales clubs played out a tense stalemate in which Barry manager Steve Jenkins was shown a red card.
It means that the battle for the final spot in the Championship Conference will go down to the final day of phase one, with Caernarfon Town, Haverfordwest County and Penybont all in contention.
It is the Cofis who currently sit in sixth place following their 2-1 home win over Colwyn Bay in the live Sgorio game on New Year’s Eve.
Richard Davies’ side had to wait an hour for the breakthrough as Marc Williams opened the scoring with his deft finish past Joe Smith, before Zack Clarke’s deflected effort doubled the advantage 12 minutes later.
Colwyn Bay captain Tom McCready halved the deficit with a superb free-kick with nine minutes of the 90 remaining, but there was to be no late comeback for the Seagulls.
Penybont kept their top six hopes alive as Eliot Richards scored his second goal in two games to earn a 1-0 home win over Pontypridd United on New Year’s Eve.
Richards produced a clever finish late in the first half before Bont defender Ash Evans was shown a second yellow card in the 81st minute, but Rhys Griffiths’ side held on for all three points to make it back-to-back clean sheet victories
Caernarfon have a two-point advantage over Penybont and Haverfordwest, meaning a win away at Cardiff Met in their final phase one fixture will confirm their top six spot. However, should they slip up at Cyncoed, Bont and the Bluebirds could take advantage in their games against Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town respectively.
In the other fixture on New Year’s Eve, The New Saints extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points after a dominant 4-0 victory away to their closest rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Essity Stadium.
Josh Pask’s well-placed header gave Saints an early breakthrough before two defensive errors at the back from the Nomads allowed Ryan Brobbel and Brad Young to add a second and third as Saints went into the break with a healthy lead.
Danny Redmond then spotted Young in space once again, and he oozed composure to slot past Andy Firth early in the second period.
JD Cymru Premier results
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Haverfordwest County
Bala Town 2-1 Newtown
Barry Town United 0-0 Cardiff Met
Caernarfon Town 2-1 Colwyn Bay
Connah’s Quay Nomads 0-4 The New Saints
Penybont 1-0 Pontypridd United
