JD Cymru Premier round-up | Newtown relegated as Barry secure play-off place

Newtown were relegated from the JD Cymru Premier for the first time in their history as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Aberystwyth Town at Latham Park on Saturday. 

The Robins knew that they had to win to stand any chance of survival and took the lead in the 37^th minute when Ollie Sharp played a neat one-two with Jason Oswell before slotting in his first senior goal for the club. 

Aber levelled in first stoppage time as Niall Flint received Alex Darlington’s superb long ball and fired past Julian Schwarzer-Garcia, but Newtown restored their advantage eight minutes after the break when Jason Oswell headed home from a well-worked corner routine. 

Yet it was the visitors who ultimately won the game with two goals in the space of three minutes late on. Flint grabbed his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot after Jolyon Harries was penalised for handball in the box, before substitute Cuba Cline controlled Darlington’s delivery and headed past Schwarzer-Garcia. 

That proved to be the nail in Newtown’s coffin, with both JD Cymru Premier ever-presents now relegated in the same season. 

The Robins’ defeat meant that Briton Ferry Llansawel’s survival was confirmed just before they kicked off at home against Flint Town United, with the Silkmen going on to win 2-1. 

Ferry led on 35 minutes when Jasper Payne bundled home Ryan George’s low cross, but Flint hit back almost immediately as Josh Jones played the ball across goal for Mike Burke to finish from close range. 

The visitors completed the comeback in the 75^th minute as Elliott Reeves met Jake Phillips’ cross with a guided header past Will Fuller, securing back-to-back away wins for Flint for the first time this season.

Barry Town United confirmed their place in the European play-offs with a 2-0 win away at Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday. 

The Linnets just needed to avoid defeat to seal top spot in the Play-Off Conference and they took the lead in the 19^th minute as Robbie Willmott’s free-kick was headed home by Ben Margetson. 

Max Woodcock thought he had equalised just after the hour mark with a close range finish but the offside flag was raised. It was 2-0 to Barry seven minutes later when Ieuan Owen scored his fifth goal in as many games by turning in Mikey George’s cross. 

The visitors were reduced to 10 men for the final 12 minutes as Margetson was shown a second yellow card, but they held on to make it four wins in their last five matches. 

Later in the evening, the Nomads announced the departure of head coach Billy Paynter with one league game of the season remaining and the JD Welsh Cup final next month. 

The New Saints recorded their biggest home league crowd in 13 years as 1,234 fans watched the champions triumph 2-1 over Bala Town on Friday night. 

Jack Bodenham headed home from Ryan Brobbel’s corner to put the Saints in front after just 11 minutes, but Bala got back on level terms shortly after the hour mark as substitute Joe Malkin headed home from Abadaki’s cross just four minutes after entering the action.  

TNS’ winner came five minutes from time as Bala defender Uniss Kargbo was penalised for handball in the box and Sion Bradley stepped up to score the resulting penalty. 

There was a record home crowd of 1,235 at the SDM Glass Stadium to watch Penybont win 3-1 against Caernarfon Town on Sunday. 

The Bont faithful had an early goal to celebrate as James Crole unleashed a stunning strike from distance inside nine minutes, but the Cofis levelled in the 20^th minute as Louis Lloyd scored from the penalty spot after Crole had fouled Blaine Hudson in the box. 

Penybont restored their lead with 15 minutes remaining as Clayton Green tucked away the rebound after Chris Venables’ effort hit the crossbar, before Crole netted his second of the afternoon in stoppage time after Ben Hughes saved his initial strike. 

Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Cyncoed Campus on Friday night. 

Met broke the deadlock five minutes before half time as Barnaby Soady charged down Zac Jones’ clearance and played the ball towards goal for Adam Roscrow to provide a simple finish for his first goal since September. 

However, Haverfordwest were gifted an equaliser in the 68^th minute as Jacob Owen’s deflected cross struck the post, before ricocheting back off Met goalkeeper Kelland Absalom into the net. 

JD Cymru Premier Weekend results in full:

Cardiff Met 1-1 Haverfordwest County
The New Saints 2-1 Bala Town
Newtown 2-3 Aberystwyth Town
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-2 Flint Town United
Connah’s Quay Nomads 0-2 Barry Town United
Penybont 3-1 Caernarfon Town