JD Cymru Leagues Games to Watch: 21-22 March

It is set to be a decisive weekend in the JD Cymru Leagues, with teams scrapping to survive the drop in all three divisions. 

Here are the key games to keep an eye on. 

JD Cymru Premier – Haverfordwest County v Penybont (Friday, 7:45pm)

Haverfordwest County host Penybont on Friday night in a crucial clash in the race for second place in the JD Cymru Premier – live on Sgorio. 

Finishing second could prove to earn automatic European qualification, if recently-crowned league champions The New Saints also win the JD Welsh Cup in May. 

Bont are the team currently in second, six points clear of Haverfordwest, meaning that victory on Friday would earn them a nine-point advantage – and a better goal difference – with only three games left to play. However, Rhys Griffiths’ side have won just one of their six matches in Phase Two so far. 

Haverfordwest will be pleased to be back in Pembrokeshire after losing to TNS and drawing with Bala Town on the road in the last fortnight, as the Bluebirds have won their last four home games. Penybont were in fact the last away team to win at Ogi Bridge Meadow just over a year ago. 

Two of the three league games between the two sides so far this season have ended goalless, while Penybont won 1-0 in the league in December and by the same scoreline in the Nathaniel MG Cup in September. 

JD Cymru Premier – Aberystwyth Town v Briton Ferry Llansawel (Friday, 8pm)

Aberystwyth Town will be relegated from the JD Cymru Premier if they lose to Briton Ferry Llansawel at Park Avenue on Friday night, while even a draw would not be enough to keep their slim survival hopes alive if Newtown defeat Connah’s Quay Nomads. 

The Seasiders have been ever-presents in the Welsh top-flight since its creation in 1992, but they are now on the brink of the drop following four consecutive defeats. However, their only win in Phase Two so far did come against Briton Ferry, as Jack Thorn’s brace inspired a 3-2 victory at The Renewable Centre Stadium at the start of February.

Ferry are only outside of the relegation zone by virtue of having a better goal difference than Newtown, who they drew 1-1 with in their last outing. The Reds have also only won once in six matches in Phase Two. 

Luke Bowen and Tom Walters both scored twice as Ferry were emphatic 6-1 winners on their last visit to Aberystwyth at the end of Phase One. 

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

Friday night could also signal the end of Prestatyn Town’s time in the JD Cymru North, as the Seasiders will be relegated if they fail to beat league leaders Colwyn Bay. 

Prestatyn were JD Cymru North champions in 2020 but only narrowly survived last year, while this season they have just 13 points to their name from 26 matches. Gareth Thomas’ side have lost their last four matches and missed a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-1 defeat away at Denbigh Town in their last outing a fortnight ago. 

Colwyn Bay currently sit top of the table, one point ahead of Airbus UK Broughton – who they were beaten by in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup last weekend. However the Seagulls have not lost in the league since the opening day of the campaign. 

Dan Atkins scored twice against his former club as Bay claimed an emphatic 7-0 victory over Prestatyn back in August. 

JD Cymru South – Baglan Dragons v Taffs Well (Saturday, 2pm)

The focus remains on proceedings at the bottom of the table as we move to the JD Cymru South, as Taffs Well will be relegated if they fail to win away at Baglan Dragons on Saturday. 

The Wellmen are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and are without a win since November. Josh Anderson’s side have suffered defeat in 10 of their last 11 matches, agonisingly conceding in the 98^th-minute to lose 1-0 against Newport City in their last outing a fortnight ago. 

Baglan Dragons are one of the division’s in-form teams at present, picking up 10 points from their last 12 available. Carl Clement’s are unbeaten in their last four home games and have lost just three times at Evans Bevans Playing Fields all season.  

Jordan Evans, Jack Fleming and Tom Davies were all on target as the Dragons secured a 3-1 win away at Taffs Well in October’s reverse fixture.