What a year we have had across the JD Cymru Leagues; where there were goals, drama, and celebrations aplenty.
The year started off with the final few games of the JD Cymru Premier before the league split. When the end of phase one came around, The New Saints found themselves at the top of the table, with a 16-point lead over second place. Connah’s Quay Nomads and Cardiff Met achieved a top six finish after being in the bottom six the season before, while Penybont, Bala Town and Newtown rounded off the Championship Conference.
The Play-Off Conference, on the other hand, was far tighter. Only seven points separated Haverfordwest County in seventh and Pontypridd United in eleventh, while Airbus UK Broughton were cut adrift at the bottom.
In phase two, TNS maintained their comfortable lead and sealed their 15th Cymru Premier title by 22 points. The Nomads wrapped up second place and booked their place in Europe, but the final European spot was to go down to the final day.
Third spot would go to either Penybont or Cardiff Met. With the Archers defeating Bala Town at home, Bont knew they needed to go ahead in the final few minutes at home to Newtown. Step up Josh Yorwerth. His 84th minute finish ensured Rhys Griffiths’ team would finish in third, and in the process, secure their first ever European campaign after Bala were beaten in the JD Welsh Cup final by TNS.
The play-off conference had drama right until the last minute. With Airbus relegated and the sides around them getting the necessary results, relegation was looming for one of Flint Town United or Aberystwyth Town.
Throughout the day, each team fell into the danger zone, but Flint faltered and lost 3-2 away to Pontypridd United. The Seasiders weren’t to know, and when Niall Flint scored a 93rd minute winner against Caernarfon Town, Park Avenue went into a state of delirium, as they secured yet another season in the topflight.
In the play-offs for the final European spot, it was Haverfordwest County who returned to continental competition for the first time in 19 years and they did so in dramatic style – defeating Cardiff Met and then Newtown both on penalties away from home.
There was entertainment galore in the second tier too. In the JD Cymru North, there was a titanic title tussle emerging between Colwyn Bay and Hollywell Town, but it was the Seagulls who sprinted over the finish line first, as they won the championship by four points over the Wellmen, and in the process, earned promotion to the top-flight for the first time after re-joining the Welsh system in 2019.
There was joy too for Caersws, Denbigh Town, and Bangor 1876, who were all promoted to the JD Cymru North from the Ardal Leagues.
In the Cymru South, Barry Town United returned to the JD Cymru Premier at the first time of asking, as they marched to the title. In an incredible season that only saw them drop points in five of their 30 games, veteran forward Kayne McLaggon starred by scoring 34 goals in just 27 games. There was promotion delight for three teams too, as Caerau Ely, Abertillery Bluebirds and Baglan Dragons booked their places in the second tier.
The summer brought about enough transfers to make our heads bobble! The likes of Paulo Mendes, Noah Edwards and Chris Venables all made notable moves during the summer from one Cymru Premier club to another.
There were also plenty of new faces coming into the league. Brad Young joined TNS from Aston Villa, former Chelsea academy player Martell-Taylor Crossdale made his way to Haverfordwest, while Ollie Hulbert signed for Barry Town United from Yeovil Town.
Players also headed over the border into England. Bala duo Lassana Mendes and Ollie Southern made the move to Hereford, Adam Wilson went to Bradford City, while Nathan Wood followed in the footsteps of another JD Cymru Premier graduate in Will Evans, as he signed for Newport County.
We also welcomed a new face to the JD Cymru Premier dugout, as former Cardiff City U18 manager Steve Jenkins replaced Lee Kendall at Jenner Park.
That takes us into this season. In the top-flight, Jenkins’ side, along with fellow title winners Colwyn Bay have taken a little bit of time to adjust to life in the top tier and are currently floating above the relegation zone, which Aberystwyth and Pontypridd currently occupy.
At the top, TNS have yet again seized control at the top of the table and have a healthy gap over Connah’s Quay Nomads. Behind them, the race is ongoing for a spot in the top six as we head into 2024.
In the JD Cymru North, relegated sides Airbus and Flint sit in first and second, but last season’s runners-up Holywell are hot on their heels. At the bottom, the race to avoid relegation is tight and cagey.
In the Cymru South, Briton Ferry, Llanelli Town, Carmarthen and Afan Lido are all separated by a slim margin, and all of them could make a sprint for the title in the New Year. At the bottom, Abergavenny Town, Abertillery Bluebirds and Llantwit Major have work to do.
