Preview this weekend’s key matches across the JD Cymru Leagues.
JD Cymru Premier – The New Saints v Barry Town United (Saturday, 2:30pm)
While The New Saints have made history in becoming the first Welsh club to qualify for the league phase of a major European competition, they have also had a faultless start to the domestic season with three wins from three in the JD Cymru Premier so far.
Following victories over Flint Town United, Aberystwyth Town and Haverfordwest County, Craig Harrison’s side will aim to continue their winning streak when Barry Town United visit Park Hall on Saturday.
The Linnets have found form themselves over the last fortnight, staging second half comebacks to win 3-2 against Flint Town United and 2-1 against Connah’s Quay Nomads. The last time Barry won three games in a row in the top-flight was September 2021.
However, Barry were one of only two teams to take points off TNS last season and the only to do so at Park Hall as Kayne Mclaggon’s stoppage equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw. The Saints would get revenge in phase one’s reverse fixture as Brad Young’s hat-trick inspired a 6-2 win at Jenner Park.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Penybont (Sunday, 2:30pm)
JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the campaign away at Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday.
Bont have made an unbeaten start to the season, winning four and drawing two of their six matches, but could lose their place at the top of the table before they play this weekend as Cardiff Met have the chance to overtake them away at Newtown on Friday night.
Connah’s Quay Nomads have proved to be a bogey side for Bont in recent years as the Flintshire club have gone unbeaten in the last nine meetings between the two clubs.
Billy Paynter suffered his first defeat as Nomads boss last weekend as Barry Town United stunned them with a 2-1 win at the Essity Stadium, so he will be hoping for a response from his side on Sunday.
The Nomads did the double over Bont last season, securing a 4-2 home win in September and a 1-0 away victory in the final fixture of phase one.
JD Cymru North – Gresford Athletic v Guilsfield (Friday, 7:45pm)
Gresford Athletic and Guilsfield meet on Friday night following contrasting starts to the JD Cymru North campaign.
The Colliers sit second bottom of the table after just one win from their opening seven league matches and are currently on a three-match losing streak – conceding 12 goals on that run.
Meanwhile, Guilsfield are sixth in the table and have picked up 10 points from their last 12 available, with their three-match winning streak coming to an end with a 1-1 draw against Llandudno last weekend.
The two sides could not be separated in their first meeting last season as they played out a 1-1 draw, before Joe Chaplin’s strike was the decisive goal in April’s reverse fixture as Gresford picked up a 1-0 win.
JD Cymru South – Carmarthen Town v Newport City (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Just three points separate Carmarthen Town and Newport City in the JD Cymru South table ahead of their meeting at the LHP Stadium on Saturday.
Newport climbed up to third place and level on points with league leaders Trethomas Bluebirds courtesy of a 1-0 win over Trefelin last weekend – their third victory in their last four league games.
Carmarthen were in third place themselves prior to last weekend’s fixtures, but a 3-1 loss to Goytre United saw them drop down to eighth. The defeat also saw the end of the Old Gold’s six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
The only previous competitive meeting between the two sides came in the 2022/23 JD Welsh Cup second round, when second half goals from Liam Thomas and Scott Tancock earned Carmarthen a 2-0 win.
