Another action-packed weekend ahead in the JD Cymru Leagues, with play-off spots and league survival to fight for. Here are the key games to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – Cardiff Met vs Bala Town (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Bala Town could be relegated from the JD Cymru Premier if they fail to beat Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In-form striker Cameron Ferguson scored the only goal as Bala kept their survival hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 win over Haverfordwest County last weekend. Bala are still five points adrift of safety with three games remaining, meaning a loss to Met and a victory for Flint Town United against Llanelli Town would bring the Lakesiders’ 17-year stay in the top-flight to an end.
Cardiff Met ended their 11-match losing streak in all competitions with a 2-1 win away to Llanelli – a result which kept the Archers five points clear of the relegation zone. Ryan Jenkins’ side are also just five points adrift of seventh-place, so a win on Saturday could also see them make a late bid for a Play-Off spot.
Met earned a 2-0 win before the two teams played out a 2-2 draw in both Phase One meetings. The points were also shared in the reverse Phase Two fixture as Fumpa Mwandwe’s equaliser cancelled out Ferguson’s opener. Met are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Bala, including victories in their last three when hosting the Lakesiders in the capital.
JD Cymru Premier – Haverfordwest County vs Briton Ferry Llansawel (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Haverfordwest County and Briton Ferry Llansawel currently sit level on points at the top of the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference ahead of their meeting at Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday, live on Sgorio.
Briton Ferry currently occupy the only play-off spot via goals scored despite ruing missed opportunities in a goalless draw with Flint Town United last weekend. However, that result meant the Reds have set a new club record by going five consecutive JD Cymru Premier games unbeaten. Four clean sheets during that time as well gives Andy Dyer’s side plenty of positives heading into the final three games of the season.
Haverfordwest County vs Briton Ferry Llansawel
Haverfordwest missed the chance to climb back above Ferry after losing 1-0 to Bala Town last Saturday – their first away defeat since November. The Bluebirds have also had a strong defence in Phase Two so far, with five clean sheets in seven games.
Both sides traded blows in Phase One as Haverfordwest earned a 1-0 win before Ferry triumphed 3-2 last time out in Pembrokeshire. However, Haverfordwest claimed all three points in last month’s first Phase Two meeting as goals from Dan Hawkins and Ben Ahmun sealed a 2-0 win.
JD Cymru North – Ruthin Town vs Buckley Town (Friday, 7:45pm)
Ruthin Town could be relegated from the JD Cymru North if they drop points against Buckley Town at the Memorial Playing Fields on Friday night.
Ruthin earned a much-needed 2-1 victory over Gresford Athletic last Friday thanks to Dave Forbes’ late penalty, but victory for 15th-place Penrhyncoch over Flint Mountain a day later still keeps Colin Caton’s side six points adrift of safety.
Friday’s hosts will be relegated if they fail to beat Buckley and either Penrhyncoch or Holyhead Hotspur are victorious at home to promotion chasers Holywell Town and Newtown respectively.
Buckley ended their 10-match winless streak with an impressive 2-0 victory away to fourth-place Newtown last weekend. That result confirmed the Bucks’ safety and brought them back into the top half, with manager Asa Hamilton claiming it was his side’s “performance of the season.”
Connor Littler scored a late winner as Buckley earned a 3-2 win in August’s reverse league fixture between the two sides. The Bucks also had late joy against Ruthin in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in January as Brad Barnes’ stoppage-time strike secured a 2-1 away win.
JD Cymru South – Cwmbran Celtic vs Cambrian United (Friday, 7:30pm)
Cwmbran Celtic will be relegated from the JD Cymru South if they fail to beat leaders Cambrian United at Avondale Park on Friday night.
Celtic have earned draws against Caerau Ely and Baglan Dragons over the past week, but are 14 points adrift of safety with just five games remaining. Celtic are still yet to win a single league game this season, but now they must win each of their remaining five fixtures if they are to pull off the great escape.
Even if Celtic were to shock Cambrian and win on Friday, Simon Berry’s side will also have to hope 15th-place Ynyshir Albions lose at home against Trethomas Bluebirds if they are to have any chance of survival.
Cambrian are currently one point clear at the top of the table following their goalless draw with Ammanford on Tuesday. However, dropped points may have potentially handed the advantage in the title race to second-place Trefelin, who have a game in hand. Liam Williams’ side have kept four clean sheets in their last four games, helping extend their unbeaten run in the division to a staggering 17 matches.
JD Cymru South top scorer Liam Eason bagged a brace to inspire Cambrian to a comfortable 4-0 win over Celtic in August’s reverse fixture.
