Following last weekend’s JD Welsh Cup action, a full JD Cymru Leagues schedule returns this weekend. Here are the key games to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – The New Saints v Penybont (Saturday, 2:30pm)
JD Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints are aiming for an 11th straight league victory when Penybont make the journey up to Park Hall.
The Saints sit six points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand over second-placed Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Braces for Brad Young and Ryan Brobbel completed a second half turnaround to earn Craig Harrison’s side a 4-1 victory when these two sides last met in October and Penybont have continued to struggle for form since then.
Rhys Griffiths’ side are currently winless in four matches, with 1-1 draws against Newtown and Barry Town United as well as losses to Colwyn Bay and Bala Town leaving them in a tight battle for a top six spot.
A win over the current champions would massively boost their chances of reaching their target, but they will need other teams above them to slip up if they are to get there.
JD Cymru Premier – Bala Town v Cardiff Met (Saturday, 5:15pm)
In the chosen Sgorio live fixture this weekend, fifth-place Bala Town take on fourth-place Cardiff Met at Maes Tegid in what is sure to be a tight affair as both sides aim to take a step closer to confirming a top half spot.
There have been four goalless draws in the last seven league meetings between the Lakesiders and the Archers, including this season’s reverse fixture at Cyncoed Campus back in August.
Bala are unbeaten in their last four league matches and eased past Caerau Ely in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend. A win for Colin Caton’s side would see them go above Met in the table.
Similarly, Met are also unbeaten in four in the league but they needed a penalty shootout to progress past Haverfordwest County in the cup. They could confirm a top six spot with victory if Penybont lose to TNS earlier in the day.
JD Cymru North – Holywell Town v Airbus UK Broughton (Saturday, 2pm)
JD Cymru North title challengers Holywell Town haven’t been in competitive action for over a month due to successive postponements, but Johnny Haseldin’s side will hope to finally return to the pitch this Saturday against league leaders Airbus UK Broughton at The Achieve More Stadium.
The Wingmakers have gone six points clear of both Holywell and Flint at the top of the table with two thrilling home victories over Chirk AAA and Mold Alexandra in recent weeks.
Although The Wellmen and Silkmen now have four games in hand, the pressure is still on and a win for Airbus would see them extend their lead over Holywell to nine points.
Both sides shared the points in the reverse fixture back in November as George Peers’ late equaliser cancelled out Zebb Edwards’ first half strike in a 1-1 draw.
Holywell have the best defence in the JD Cymru North this season having conceded just seven goals in 11 games, while Airbus are the most prolific scorers with 40 goals so something will have to give on Saturday afternoon.
JD Cymru South – Cambrian & Clydach Vale v Llanelli Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
Llanelli Town will be looking to hold onto top spot in the JD Cymru South when they travel to the M&P Group 3G to take on Cambrian & Clydach Vale.
Llanelli earned back-to-back league victories against Caerau Ely and Afan Lido in November to reach the summit on 31 points, but they were beaten by Briton Ferry Llansawel in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend.
Star forward Ethan Cann has already reached 10 league goals for the campaign and he will hope to continue his recent good form off the back of picking up the JD Cymru South Player of the Month award.
After a bright start to the season, a poor run of form has seen Cambrian & Clydach Vale slip to 10th in the league table and out of the promotion picture.
The Rhondda side have only won two of their six home league matches so far this term, but they did defeat Baglan Dragons 2-0 in their last outing.
