There are plenty of enticing fixtures to look forward to in the JD Cymru Leagues across the Christmas period, here are the best to keep an eye on.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Flint Town United (December 26, 2:30pm)
Boxing Day is also derby day in the JD Cymru Premier as Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United meet at the Essity Stadium.
The Nomads will see this as a must-win fixture if they are to make this season’s top half, with Billy Paynter’s side currently five points behind sixth-place Caernarfon Town with a game in hand. They drew 1-1 with the Cofis in their last league outing.
Flint continue to be embroiled in the relegation battle, with back-to-back wins over Briton Ferry Llansawel and Aberystwyth Town taking them three points above the bottom two before a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff Met in their last match.
Rhys Hughes scored the only goal in the Nomads’ 1-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, which was Paynter’s first game in charge. Flint have not beaten their neighbours since 1997.
JD Cymru Premier – Cardiff Met v Briton Ferry Llansawel (December 26, 12:30pm)
If Flint are beaten by the Nomads, Briton Ferry Llansawel would move out of the relegation zone with victory over Cardiff Met.
The Reds remain three points adrift of safety after a 5-2 defeat away at The New Saints on Sunday, meaning they have lost seven of their eight league games on the road this season – although they remarkably won at leaders Penybont in September.
Cardiff Met’s 2-0 win over Flint Town United in their last outing lifted them to third in the JD Cymru Premier table and another victory could all but secure their top half spot if other results go their way.
The Archers were emphatic winners in the reverse fixture at Old Road in August as they triumphed 5-1 – their biggest league victory since April 2022.
JD Cymru North – Airbus UK Broughton v Buckley Town (December 26, 2pm)
There’s a top of the table clash in the JD Cymru North on Boxing Day as third-place Buckley Town make the short trip to leaders Airbus UK Broughton.
Both sides are in impressive form heading into the encounter. Airbus have won their last 11 matches in all competitions, with a 5-0 victory over Caersws last weekend seeing them move seven points clear at the top of the standings.
Buckley’s 2-1 triumph over Denbigh Town last weekend was their fifth consecutive league win, with Asa Hamilton transforming his side into dogged hard workers who have proved tough to beat.
It was a five-goal thriller when the two sides last met in September, with Airbus earning a narrow 3-2 win at The Globe.
JD Cymru North – Bangor 1876 v Colwyn Bay (December 26, 12:30pm)
With over 1,200 fans in attendance for Bangor 1876’s 4-0 win away at Colwyn Bay on the opening day of the season, another bumper crowd is expected when the two sides meet again at the Bangor City Stadium on Boxing Day.
It is almost a month since Bangor’s last outing – a 2-1 defeat to Buckley Town at the end of November – and Mike Johnston’s side will be keen to turn their form around, having won just one of their last seven league games.
However, they remain the only side to beat Colwyn Bay in the league this season as the Seagulls have gone on to pick up 41 points from a possible 45 since defeat on the opening day.
Michael Wilde’s side have won their last 12 successive JD Cymru North games but continue to chase league leaders Airbus UK Broughton who they are seven points behind but do have a game in hand over.
JD Cymru South – Trethomas Bluebirds v Carmarthen Town (December 28, 2:30pm)
Having topped the table at Christmas in their debut JD Cymru South campaign, Trethomas Bluebirds complete a memorable 2024 with a home game against Carmarthen Town on Saturday.
A run of five wins from their last six matches sees the Bluebirds hold a two-point lead at the summit, but they could find themselves in third place by the time Saturday’s match comes around if title rivals Llanelli Town and Pontypridd United both win on Boxing Day.
Carmarthen booked their place in the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Holyhead Hotspur earlier this month, but Mark Aizlewood’s side have slipped to 11th in the JD Cymru South table after picking up just two points in their last five matches.
Their last league win actually came against Trethomas Bluebirds at the start of October, when goals from Noah Daley and Jordan Vickers secured a 2-0 victory at the LHP Stadium.
