Following an entertaining Friday night, the bank holiday action continues with another round of JD Cymru Leagues games on Monday afternoon. Here are some of the key matches to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – Flint Town United v Connah’s Quay Nomads (Monday, 2:30pm)
The Billy Paynter era at Connah’s Quay Nomads begins with a derby against Flint Town United on Monday afternoon.
Paynter – who played over 500 matches in the English Football League for clubs such as Leeds United and Swindon Town – was named as Neil Gibson’s successor in the Nomads dugout on Saturday.
The 40-year-old will be hoping to guide his new club to their first league win of the campaign, following their 1-0 loss to Haverfordwest County on the opening weekend and 1-1 draw against Aberystwyth Town.
Flint are also still searching for their first victory of the campaign, having lost to Cardiff Met, The New Saints and Bala Town in their opening three matches following promotion from the JD Cymru North last term.
Connah’s Quay are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Flint – a record spanning back to 2011. The most recent meeting between the two sides came in last season’s JD Welsh Cup fourth round when the Nomads ran out 3-0 victors on their way to lifting the trophy.
JD Cymru North – Gresford Athletic v Airbus UK Broughton (Monday, 2:30pm)
Gresford Athletic and Airbus UK Broughton head into their bank holiday meeting following contrasting starts to the campaign.
The Wingmakers’ 4-1 win over Flint Mountain on Friday night was their fifth win from five league games which took them five points clear at the top of the JD Cymru North table. Mark Allen’s side have scored 19 league goals and conceded just twice so far.
Gresford have picked up just four points from five games so far, sitting outside of the relegation zone by virtue of goals scored only. The Colliers were thrashed 5-1 by Denbigh Town on Friday so an improvement is urgently required.
The two sides have already met this season in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup, with Airbus triumphing 4-1 thanks two goals each from George Peers and Sam Baker.
JD Cymru South – Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Newport City (Monday, 2:30pm)
Penrhiwceiber Rangers continue their search for a first JD Cymru South victory when they host fellow newly-promoted side Newport City at Glasbrook Field.
Rangers have found life difficult in the second tier so far following their Ardal South West title last term.
Dean Brown’s side drew with Baglan Dragons on the opening weekend but have since recorded four consecutive losses to Trethomas Bluebirds, Goytre United, Cwmbran Celtic and Cambrian United.
Newport City, who were promoted via the play-offs, have settled in to the JD Cymru South more comfortably and currently sit sixth in the table.
The Steelmen have beaten Ammanford and Caerau Ely so far alongside draws against Cambrian United and Afan Lido, but lost in the league for the first time this season to Goytre United on Friday night.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers were victorious in the only previous meeting between these two sides as they secured a 2-0 win in the Welsh Football League Division Two back in November 2019.
