League action returns this weekend after last week’s JD Welsh Cup ties, with plenty of crucial matches to look out for.
JD Cymru Premier – The New Saints v Penybont (Saturday, 2:30pm)
The top two in the JD Cymru Premier go head-to-head in a massive clash on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Penybont visit second-placed The New Saints.
TNS have a game in hand over Bont but missed the chance to go just a point behind Rhys Griffiths’ side in midweek as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat away to Briton Ferry – the first time Saints had conceded three first half goals in a league game since April 2021. Craig Harrison labelled the display as “disgusting” so will be demanding a response.
Bont come into the game off the back of a two-week break, but have won their last two games against Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United. The league leaders are unbeaten away from home in the JD Cymru Premier this season and know that another victory would see them go seven points clear at the top of the table.
Penybont won against TNS for the first time ever as Chris Venables’ late header secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in September – which ended the Saints’ 48-match unbeaten run in the league.
JD Cymru Premier – Flint Town United v Briton Ferry Llansawel (Saturday, 2:30pm)
There is also a crunch encounter at the bottom of the table on Saturday as Flint Town United host Briton Ferry Llansawel, with both sides level on points ahead of the game.
Ferry were bottom of the JD Cymru Premier three days ago, but their stunning midweek win over TNS saw them leapfrog Flint and climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference – while they also have a game in hand over the Silkmen.
Flint have lost their last four league matches and are winless in the league since the start of October, but there would be no better time for Lee Fowler’s side to halt that slump.
It finished 1-1 in the reverse fixture between the two sides in September, as Kian Jenkins’ goal cancelled out Elliott Reeves’ opener.
JD Cymru North – Prestatyn Town v Mold Alexandra (Saturday, 2pm)
Struggling Prestatyn Town begin life under new boss Gareth Thomas when they host Mold Alexandra on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas is the Seasiders’ third manager of the season already, with the club currently on a seven-match losing streak in the league which has left them second bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety. They are without even a goal in their last four matches.
Mold caused the biggest shock of the JD Welsh Cup third round last weekend as they dumped out top-flight Briton Ferry with a 2-1 victory. It has also been another solid league campaign for the Alex so far as they currently sit fifth in the table, but have earned just one win in their last five league matches.
Damase Kiwanda’s five-goal haul inspired Mold to an emphatic 7-0 win over Prestatyn in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in August.
JD Cymru South – Llanelli Town v Goytre United (Friday, 7:30pm)
Llanelli Town and Goytre United are in contrasting spells of form ahead of their meeting at Stebonheath on Friday night.
The Reds have won their last six matches in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in their last five, to progress to Round Four of the JD Welsh Cup and rise to third in the JD Cymru South table – four points behind leaders Trethomas Bluebirds with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Goytre have picked up just two points from their last seven league matches – a worrying run that has seen them drop to 12th in the table and just three points above the relegation zone. The club continue to search for a new manager following Laurie Marsh’s resignation at the start of this month.
The two sides exchanged blows last season as Llanelli picked up a 4-1 win in the first league meeting, only for Goyt to gain revenge later in the campaign with a 2-1 victory thanks to Dan Paul’s late winner.
