JD Cymru Leagues Games to Watch: 17-18 January

A top six decider in the JD Cymru Premier, a top four battle in the JD Cymru North and a relegation six-pointer in the JD Cymru South. Here are this weekend’s key games to watch. 

JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Bala Town (Friday, 7:45pm)

Phase One concludes in the JD Cymru Premier on Friday night when Connah’s Quay Nomads host Bala Town at the Essity Stadium, after their meeting on Tuesday night was abandoned. 

The Nomads were 3-0 up – courtesy of Rhys Hughes’ brace and Ben Nash’s header – in the 62nd minute when fog caused the game to be abandoned in midweek, with the FAW National Leagues Board voting for the game to be replayed in full. 

Bala boss Colin Caton said his side must improve from the hour that was played on Tuesday, as the Nomads “blew them away” and that he and his team “cannot let that happen again.” 

The Lakesiders know that a win or draw will secure their place in the Championship Conference, but a Nomads victory will confirm Barry Town United’s top half spot. The reverse fixture between the Nomads and Bala ended goalless at Maes Tegid in October. 

JD Cymru North – Colwyn Bay v Buckley Town (Friday, 7:45pm)

It is second against fourth in the JD Cymru North on Friday night as Colwyn Bay face Buckley Town at the Four Crosses Construction Arena. 

The Seagulls head into the game on a remarkable 14-match winning streak in the league but are still four points adrift of league leaders Airbus UK Broughton. Michael Wilde’s side have not played since New Year’s Day when they ran out 5-0 winners over Mold Alexandra. 

Buckley are searching for a return to winning ways after a narrow 3-2 loss to Airbus and a 1-1 draw at home to Guilsfield, which manager Asa Hamilton described as “the worst ever performance ever under me”. 

Tom Creamer’s stoppage-time strike gave Bay a 2-1 win over Buckley in August’s reverse fixture, just moments after Danny Holland had equalised for the Bucks with a penalty. The two sides then met again in the JD Welsh Cup in October, with the Seagulls prevailing on penalties after a 2-2 draw. 

JD Cymru South – Goytre United v Penrhiwceiber Rangers (Friday, 7:30pm)

There is a key battle at the bottom of the JD Cymru South on Friday night as Goytre United host Penrhiwceiber Rangers. 

Goytre are winless in their last 11 league matches, a run which has seen them to slip into the relegation zone and they currently sit 14th. New boss Stephen Kelleher took charge of his first game last weekend but his side were beaten 3-1 by league leaders Trethomas Bluebirds. 

The Port Talbot outfit were also dealt a blow this week as top scorer Keane Watts completed a move to Penybont – the forward scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Penrhiwceiber Rangers in August’s reverse fixture. 

Rangers head into Friday’s game just outside the bottom three, two points ahead of Goytre with a game in hand. Dean Brown’s side won for the first time since October when they beat fellow strugglers Taffs Well 2-1 on New Year’s Day. 

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