The Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals may be taking centre stage on Saturday, but there is a packed Friday night schedule across the JD Cymru Leagues to look forward to.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Colwyn Bay (Friday, 7:45pm)
Former teammates John Disney and Michael Wilde go head-to-head in the dugout once again as Connah’s Quay Nomads host Colwyn Bay at the Essity Stadium on Friday night.
The Nomads were the only team in the JD Cymru Premier to win all of their league games in November, with victories over Cardiff Met, Penybont and Llanelli Town lifting the Flintshire side up to third in the table – just a point behind second-place Bont with two games in hand. They are currently on the longest unbeaten streak in the top-flight, having not lost any of their last eight league games.
Jordan Davies, one of multiple former Nomads in Colwyn Bay’s team, scored a hat-trick as the Seagulls triumphed 5-4 over Penybont last weekend, solidifying their place in the top half – they sit fifth, five points clear of seventh-place with Cardiff Met.
The two sides last met on the opening weekend of the season at the Blue Turtle Arena, when a header from Bay defender Nathan Peate cancelled out Jason Oswell’s opener for Nomads in a 1-1 draw.
JD Cymru North – Newtown v Penrhyncoch (Friday, 7:45pm)
Crucial points are up for grabs at both ends of the JD Cymru North as promotion hopefuls Newtown host bottom-of-the-table Penrhyncoch at Latham Park on Friday night.
Fourth-place Newtown missed the chance to move into the top three last weekend as they were beaten 2-1 away at fellow mid-Wales side Guilsfield. However, the Robins are one of only two sides in the JD Cymru North – along with league leaders Llandudno – still unbeaten at home this season.
After going winless in their first 12 league matches of the campaign, Penrhyncoch ended that streak in emphatic style with a 6-0 home win over Buckley Town last weekend. The Roosters are now just three points adrift of safety, so would climb out of the relegation zone if they win again on Friday and 15th-place Gresford Athletic lose away at Buckley.
Newtown came from behind to triumph over Penrhyncoch at Cae Baker in August’s revers fixture, as Devon Torry scored an 87th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory.
JD Cymru South – Ammanford v Aberystwyth Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
Craig Williams will take charge of Aberystwyth Town for the first time as they travel to in-form Ammanford on Friday night.
Williams, who spent two seasons as an Aberystwyth player, was appointed as the Seasiders’ new boss earlier this week, departing Caersws in the process. He takes over with Aber currently seventh in the JD Cymru South table – five points behind the promotion spots – following a 2-1 defeat in stoppage time at home against Cambrian United last weekend.
Ammanford are currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the JD Cymru South, with a 3-0 victory away at Baglan Dragons last weekend seeing Wyn Thomas’ side solidify their place in third place as they moved three points clear of fourth-place Carmarthen Town.
The two sides shared the points in August’s reverse fixture, which finished goalless at Park Avenue. Their only other previous meeting came in the JD Welsh Cup last season when Callum Thomas’ strike earned a 1-0 win for Ammanford.
