It’s the final weekend of JD Cymru Leagues action before Christmas – here are the key games to keep an eye on.
JD Cymru Premier – Aberystwyth Town v Caernarfon Town (Saturday, 2:30pm)
There could be key implications in the relegation battle and the fight for the top six when bottom-of-the-table Aberystwyth Town host Caernarfon Town at Park Avenue on Saturday.
Caernarfon climbed into the top half with a 3-2 home win over Barry Town United last weekend and are unbeaten in their last seven league matches away from home. They are three points ahead of seventh-place Bala Town with four games of Phase One remaining – including a visit to the Lakesiders on New Year’s Eve.
Aberystwyth may have the Nathaniel MG Cup final to look forward to at the end of February, but they currently find themselves seven points adrift of safety in the league following a 3-0 loss to Flint Town United in their most recent outing.
However, the Seasiders were emphatic 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture against the Cofis in October, with the standout moment being a stunning 45-yard goal from Niall Flint.
JD Cymru North – Airbus UK Broughton v Caersws (Saturday, 2pm)
Airbus UK Broughton can go seven points clear at the top of the JD Cymru North with victory over Caersws on Saturday, just a week on from a 2-0 victory over the Bluebirds in Round Four of the JD Welsh Cup.
It has been an incredible first half of the season for Airbus, who have won 15 of their 16 league matches so far and scored 59 goals in the process. They have not lost a home league game since April 2023.
That means it will be a tricky task for Caersws, who are without a win on the road since the beginning of August. The Bluebirds currently sit ninth in the table, but have games in hand over the four teams directly above them so will hope to climb the standings.
Both league meetings between the two sides last season finished 3-3, so expect more goals at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Saturday.
JD Cymru South – Newport City v Caerau Ely (Friday, 7:30pm)
Caerau Ely return to league action away at Newport City on Friday night after they produced a shock in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend by winning 1-0 over top-flight Bala Town.
Victory over the Lakesiders extended the Young Guns’ unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions, while they have won their last four league games. Another victory could see them sit as high as fifth in the table at Christmas.
In contrast, Newport City are winless in their last six matches and have slipped to 11th in the table in the process. The Steelmen were 3-1 up after 82 minutes against Trefelin last Friday, but a catastrophic late collapse saw them lose 4-3 at Ynys Park.
Sam Houldsworth’s team were victorious in the reverse fixture against Caerau Ely in August as goals from Ethan Wynne and Nat Jarvis sealed a 2-1 comeback win.
