A massive weekend lies in wait, as the top two meet in both the JD Cymru Premier and JD Cymru North. Preview the key matches to keep an eye on.
JD Cymru Premier – The New Saints v Penybont (Saturday, 12:15pm)
The next chapter of the JD Cymru Premier title race awaits at Saturday lunchtime, as The New Saints host Penybont, live on Sgorio.
League leaders TNS made it six consecutive league wins as they triumphed 3-1 over Cardiff Met last weekend, which opened up a three-point gap over second-place Bont who were held to a goalless draw by Haverfordwest County.
With Craig Harrison’s side also holding a game in hand over their title rivals, to be played away at Caernarfon Town on Tuesday, victory this weekend would put them in a commanding position to claim their fourth title in a row.
Bont are winless in their first two games of Phase Two – they have not gone three league matches without victory in almost a year – as they continue to struggle with injuries. A fifth yellow card of the campaign for Gabe Kircough last weekend means he is also out of the trip to Park Hall.
Chris Venables’ late goal earned Penybont their first ever victory over TNS back in September, while Rhys Griffiths’ side were two goals up in at Park Hall in November thanks to James Crole’s brace, but a superb comeback from the Saints saw them triumph 3-2 as Danny Redmond scored the winner.
JD Cymru North – Airbus UK Broughton v Colwyn Bay (Saturday, 2pm)
There is also a top of the table clash in the JD Cymru North on Saturday, as league leaders Airbus UK Broughton host second-place Colwyn Bay at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
Bay closed the gap on the Wingmakers to just one point a fortnight ago, as they triumphed 5-1 over Flint Mountain – their 16th consecutive league win – and Mark Allen’s side were beaten 2-1 by Holywell Town, their first defeat since September.
Both sides were then victorious in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup last weekend, the Seagulls winning 3-0 away to Gresford Athletic and Airbus thrashing Llay Miners Welfare 5-1.
The reverse fixture between the two sides in September was a nine-goal thriller, as Bay’s Craig Lindfield scored a hat-trick against his former club in a 6-3 win for Michael Wilde’s men.
JD Cymru South – Goytre United v Taffs Well (Friday, 7:30pm)
It’s at the bottom of the table where the focus will be in the JD Cymru South this weekend, with Goytre United hosting Taffs Well on Friday night.
Goytre conceded in stoppage time to lose 3-2 to fellow strugglers Cwmbran Celtic last weekend – their eighth defeat in their last nine matches – which kept them in the bottom three on goal difference. Stephen Kelleher’s side have played the most games so far out of all the teams in the relegation battle, so must start picking up points.
Taffs Well are rooted to the bottom of the standings, five points adrift of safety, following six consecutive defeats – most recently a 4-2 defeat against Cambrian United a fortnight ago. The Wellmen were also knocked out of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup by Trefelin last weekend.
The reverse fixture between the two sides in November was Josh Anderson’s first game in charge of Taffs Well and his team produced a remarkable second half comeback as they recovered from going four goals down to draw 4-4.
