The final day of the season in the second tier is upon us, while key games also await in the top-flight, meaning plenty of action to keep an eye on in the JD Cymru Leagues.
JD Cymru Premier – Newtown v Aberystwyth Town (Saturday, 12:45pm)
Newtown’s JD Cymru Premier status hangs in the balance ahead of their home game against Aberystwyth Town on Saturday – live on S4C.
The Robins must win to keep their survival hopes alive, but will be relegated anyway if Briton Ferry Llansawel draw or win at home against Flint Town United later in the afternoon.
Back-to-back defeats against Connah’s Quay Nomads and Barry Town United have left Newtown six points adrift of safety with only two games remaining, while Callum McKenzie left his position as manager earlier this week.
Like Newtown, Aber have been ever-presents in the Welsh top-flight since its formation in 1992 but their relegation was confirmed by a 1-0 loss to Briton Ferry three weeks ago before a 2-1 defeat to Flint extended their losing streak to seven consecutive matches in all competitions.
Newtown’s only win in their last 18 league games came against Aber earlier in Phase Two as Jason Oswell’s late header earned a 1-0 victory, after both sides claimed a win against the other in Phase One.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Barry Town United (Sunday, 2:30pm)
Barry Town United will secure the final Play-Off spot in the JD Cymru Premier if they avoid defeat away at Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday.
The Linnets have won five of their eight matches in Phase Two so far, with a 2-1 home victory over Newtown a fortnight ago seeing them go five points clear of the Nomads who were beaten 1-0 away at Briton Ferry.
That defeat in south Wales ended the Nomads’ six-match winning streak, but anything other than victory on Sunday will mean their European hopes will come down to the JD Welsh Cup final.
Barry did the double over Nomads in Phase One with 2-1 and 3-2 wins, but Phase Two’s reverse fixture saw goals from Noah Edwards and Sam Durrant earn the Flintshire side a 2-0 win at Jenner Park.
JD Cymru North – Ruthin Town v Bangor 1876 (Saturday, 2:30pm)
The fight for survival in the JD Cymru North goes down to the final day of the campaign as Ruthin Town host Bangor 1876 with just two points separating both sides.
Ruthin are the side currently in the bottom three, having won just one of their last nine league matches. Dave Evans’ team did earn a 0-0 draw away at fourth-place Buckley Town last weekend though – their first clean sheet on the road all season.
Bangor would have secured survival if they had beaten Caersws at home the following day, but conceded in stoppage time to lose 2-1 – their seventh consecutive defeat.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, after Ruthin won 2-1 in the Nathaniel MG Cup first round and Bangor earned 3-0 and 2-0 victories in the JD Cymru North and Welsh Blood Service League Cup respectively.
JD Cymru North – Penrhyncoch v Colwyn Bay (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Colwyn Bay will be crowned JD Cymru North champions if they avoid defeat away to Penrhyncoch on Saturday afternoon.
The Seagulls haven’t lost in the league since the opening day of the season against Bangor 1876, with a 3-0 derby win over Llandudno last weekend being their eighth consecutive JD Cymru North victory. With Airbus UK Broughton drawing against Mold Alexandra, Bay are now three points clear of the Wingmakers ahead of the final day.
Rhydian Davies’ brace inspired Penrhyncoch to a 2-1 comeback win against Prestatyn Town last weekend, with the Roosters aiming to finish as high as seventh if they win on Saturday and other results go their way.
Coincidentally, it was at Penrhyncoch two years ago that Colwyn Bay claimed the JD Cymru North title with a 2-0 win. The Seagulls triumphed 4-0 in this season’s reverse fixture in September.
JD Cymru North – Caersws v Airbus UK Broughton (Saturday, 2:30pm)
If Colwyn Bay do suffer defeat in Ceredigion, Airbus will aim to capitalise and win the title on their away trip to Caersws.
The Wingmakers’ 1-1 draw against Mold Alexandra last weekend brought their five-match winning streak in the JD Cymru North to an end. Although they are now three points behind Bay, they do have a better goal difference.
Caersws have won three of their last four matches to move away from relegation danger, with substitute Tommy Rowlands bagging a 93rd-minute winner to defeat Bangor 1876 2-1 last weekend.
George Peers bagged a hat-trick as Airbus won 5-0 in this season’s reverse league fixture between the sides in December, a week after the Wingmakers had triumphed 2-0 over the Bluebirds in the JD Welsh Cup.
JD Cymru South – Cwmbran Celtic v Llantwit Major (Saturday, 2:30pm)
The JD Cymru South relegation battle also comes down to the final day, with Cwmbran Celtic and Penrhiwceiber Rangers currently level on points as they aim to avoid being the third team – after Taffs Well and Goytre United – to face the drop.
Celtic are currently outside of the bottom three, by virtue of having three better goal difference, ahead of their home against Llantwit Major. Simon Berry’s side have picked up just one point from their last four matches, scoring only once, but victory on Saturday would likely secure survival.
Llantwit’s 1-0 home win over Caerau Ely last weekend ended a three-match winless streak and they could finish as high as sixth in the table if they win on Saturday and other results go their way.
It was only two months ago that the sides last met, with Major winning 2-1 in February’s reverse league fixture.
JD Cymru South – Carmarthen Town v Penrhiwceiber Rangers (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Penrhiwceiber Rangers will need to better Cwmbran Celtic’s result if they are to stay up, unless both sides win but Rangers triumph by four more goals.
Dean Brown’s side travel to Carmarthen Town, having lost just one of their last six league matches to boost their survival hopes in an admirable first season in the second tier.
Carmarthen have squandered leads to draw 1-1 in their last two matches, but they unbeaten in their last eight home matches in all competitions – a run stretching back to November.
The two sides have already met three times this season, with different outcomes on each occasion. Carmarthen staged a stunning comeback to win 4-3 in the JD Welsh Cup second round, it finished goalless in November’s reverse league fixture and Rangers were 2-1 winners in the WBS League Cup in February.
