A reduced JD Cymru Leagues schedule is on the agenda this weekend due to the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals, but the fixtures that await are no less important – particularly at the bottom of the tables.
JD Cymru North – Llay Miners Welfare v Gresford Athletic (Saturday, 2pm)
After a stunning 3-0 victory over reigning champions Holywell Town last weekend, Gresford Athletic will be aiming for back-to-back wins when they travel to Llay Miners Welfare.
Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side have now won four of their last six league matches, moving up to 12th in the table and three points above the relegation zone in the process. Another three points on Saturday could take them as high as 10th dependent on other results.
Welfare’s survival hopes are looking much bleaker, with Jordan Scott’s men currently bottom of the table and 16 points adrift of safety with nine games remaining. A 2-1 home defeat to Buckley Town last weekend extended their winless run in the league to six matches.
The two teams last met on the opening day of the season, when Sam John’s strike looked to have earned Welfare victory but a stunning free-kick from Charley Edge in the eighth minute of stoppage time salvaged a point for Gresford in a 1-1 draw.
JD Cymru South – Cwmbran Celtic v Taffs Well (Saturday, 2pm)
The relegation battle is also the focus in the JD Cymru South on Saturday afternoon as bottom-of-the-table Taffs Well visit Cwmbran Celtic.
Celtic have boosted their survival with back-to-back wins over Goytre United and Carmarthen Town so far in February, seeing them climb to 12th in the table and three points above the relegation zone. They will now be targeting three consecutive victories for the first time since the end of last season.
Meanwhile, Taffs Well are currently eight points adrift of safety and a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Goytre United last weekend made it seven league defeats in a row. The Wellmen have not won away from home in the JD Cymru South since triumphing at Afan Lido in August.
However, Taffs Well have beaten Celtic twice already this season. David Lyon’s stoppage-time strike secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse league fixture in August, while Drew Banner’s brace inspired a 3-2 comeback win in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup first round a week later.
