Another crucial weekend awaits in the JD Cymru Leagues as title races hot up and relegation battles intensify. Here are the key games to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v The New Saints (Friday, 7:45pm)
The New Saints were crowned JD Cymru Premier champions for a record-extending 16th time following their 4-0 victory over Cardiff Met last weekend.
Craig Harrison’s side now look to continue their quest for an invincible season against second-placed Connah’s Quay Nomads at The Essity Stadium.
TNS are just seven goals away from reaching the 100 goal mark, and with star forward Brad Young netting his fourth hat-trick of the campaign last weekend, the champions look set to storm into triple figures with six matches remaining.
However, Friday’s match will be one of their toughest of the season so far as they face a Connah’s Quay Nomads side eager to cement their place in second and qualify for Europe.
The Nomads suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bala Town last Friday, but Neil Gibson’s side still hold a ten-point lead in second and victory over the champions would be the perfect response to last week’s loss.
The Saints have defeated the Nomads three times already this season with a 2-1 win in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round, a 6-2 win on the opening day of the JD Cymru Premier season and most recently a dominant 4-0 win on New Year’s Eve.
JD Cymru Premier – Pontypridd United v Aberystwyth Town (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Pontypridd United leapfrogged Aberystwyth Town and moved out of the JD Cymru Premier relegation zone on goal difference last weekend and the two sides now meet in a crucial six-pointer.
Despite being handed a nine-point deduction, Ponty have boosted their survival chances by starting phase two in impressive fashion under new boss Gavin Allen – claiming 10 points from a possible 12 so far.
Allen’s former side Aber have picked up draws in their last two matches against Penybont and Barry Town United, but will be eager to starting winning games – something they have not done away from home since November.
Pontypridd have won all three meetings against Aberystwyth this season and have kept clean sheets in all three. They secured 1-0 and 2-0 victories in phase one and also won 1-0 at Park Avenue in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round in September.
JD Cymru North – Mold Alexandra v Holywell Town (Saturday, 2pm)
It is third versus fourth in the JD Cymru North on Saturday as Mold Alexandra host Holywell Town at Alyn Park in a Flintshire derby.
Fourth-place Mold were beaten 3-0 by league leaders Airbus UK Broughton two weeks ago, but returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at bottom side Chirk AAA last weekend.
Holywell are currently the most in-form side in the JD Cymru North having won their last ten league matches, most recently a 3-0 victory over Buckley Town on Tuesday evening which took Johnny Haseldin’s men up to second place in the table – just two points behind leaders Airbus with three games in hand.
Holywell cruised to a 3-0 victory over Mold in August’s reverse league fixture, but just a week later, the Alex got revenge by beating the Wellmen in the WBS League Cup first round.
JD Cymru South – Taffs Well v Pontardawe Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
A crucial game in the JD Cymru South relegation battle awaits as 12th-place Taffs Well host 14th-place Pontardawe Town.
The Wellmen sit just three points above the bottom three after a 2-0 loss to Carmarthen Town last weekend, while Ponty slipped into the drop zone after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Abertillery Bluebirds.
Both sides have only won one league game in 2024, so Friday night gives them both a great chance of returning to winning ways and boosting their survival hopes.
Josh Pope’s strike inside the first minute as well as goals from Ellis Sage and Seb Thomas gave the Wellmen a 3-1 victory over Ponty in August’s reverse league fixture.
