An exciting streak of JD Cymru Leagues action awaits over New Year, with five consecutive days of fixtures to look forward to. Here are the key clashes to keep an eye on.
JD Cymru Premier – Connah’s Quay Nomads v The New Saints (New Year’s Eve, 2:30pm)
The JD Cymru Premier top two face off on New Year’s Eve as second-place Connah’s Quay Nomads host leaders The New Saints at the Essity Stadium.
The Nomads moved to within seven points of TNS with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Flint Town United on Boxing Day – their sixth consecutive league win. John Disney’s side are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, with Harry Franklin starring in that run by contributing 11 goals and six assists.
TNS’ Boxing Day clash against Bala Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Park Hall, meaning the champions have not been in action since a 2-0 victory away at Briton Ferry Llansawel three weeks ago. Craig Harrison’s side have won their last seven away league matches and are yet to lose on the road in the JD Cymru Premier this season.
The Saints have won the last five meetings between the two sides in all competitions, including a 3-0 victory in this season’s reverse league fixture and a 3-1 triumph in the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
JD Cymru Premier – Cardiff Met v Haverfordwest County (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County will both be looking to stay in contention for a top six spot when they meet at Cyncoed Stadium on Tuesday night.
Met dropped out of the top half following their 1-0 defeat away at Barry Town United on Boxing Day – they now sit a point behind the Linnets and have played one game more. Nonetheless, victory on Tuesday would certainly put the pressure on Steve Jenkins’ side, who travel to Briton Ferry Llansawel on New Year’s Eve.
Haverfordwest have spent much of the campaign in and around the relegation zone, but a 3-0 home win over Llanelli Town on Boxing Day means they are now five points clear of the bottom two. The Bluebirds, who have lost just one of their last six league games, are four points adrift of Barry in sixth so are likely to need to win both of their remaining Phase One fixtures to have any chance of making the top half.
Haverfordwest are unbeaten in the last seven league meetings between the two sides. The Bluebirds led by two goals in this season’s reverse fixture in August, but quickfire strikes from Jasper Payne and Ryan Reynolds saw Met fight back to earn a 2-2 draw.
JD Cymru North – Penrhyncoch v Ruthin Town (New Year’s Eve, 12:30pm)
Penrhyncoch and Ruthin Town will both be targeting back-to-back wins for the first time this season after they each earned crucial victories over Christmas.
Penrhyncoch triumphed 1-0 away at in-form Guilsfield on Saturday to climb out of the JD Cymru North relegation zone on goal difference. The Roosters have now taken seven points from their last three games, having earned just three points from their first 12 matches of the campaign.
Ruthin halted a run of five consecutive defeats by triumphing 3-1 over Vale of Clwyd rivals Denbigh Town on Boxing Day. It was a first victory in charge for new boss Colin Caton, but they remain just two points above the relegation zone and have won just one of their nine away games in the league this season.
Ruthin have already beaten Penrhyncoch twice already this season, winning a penalty shootout in the Nathaniel MG Cup first round before Llyr Morris’ brace inspired a 3-1 victory in August’s reverse league fixture.
JD Cymru North – Caersws v Newtown (New Year’s Day, 2pm)
New Year’s Day offers up a mid-Wales derby as JD Cymru North promotion hopefuls Newtown make the short trip to Caersws.
Caersws head into the clash having earned back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, triumphing over Ruthin Town (5-1) and Mold Alexandra (2-0) respectively to climb up to 12th in the table and five points clear of the relegation zone.
Newtown currently sit fourth in the table, three points adrift of the promotion spots, but are hoping to turn their form around as they are winless in their last four league matches and suffered a 3-0 home defeat to third-place Airbus UK Broughton on Boxing Day.
18-year-old Fin Starkey-Jones stole the headlines in August’s reverse fixture as his stoppage-time strike clinched a dramatic 2-1 win for Newtown at Latham Park.
JD Cymru South – Afan Lido v Trefelin (Tuesday, 7:30pm)
Trefelin will be aiming for a sixth consecutive win in the JD Cymru South when they visit the Marstons Stadium to face local rivals Afan Lido on Tuesday night.
Trefelin are currently second in the league table, seven points behind leaders Cambrian United but with three games in hand. Andy Hill’s side secured an impressive 3-0 win over fellow promotion chasers Caerau Ely on Boxing Day, to make it eight consecutive clean sheets in the league and 12 matches unbeaten.
In contrast, Afan Lido are winless in their last five league matches and were beaten 3-1 by Baglan Dragons in another derby on Boxing Day. Lee Surman’s side sit 14th in the table, but are a healthy eight points clear of winless bottom side Cwmbran Celtic.
The last three meetings between the two sides have finished level, with a goalless draw in this season’s reverse fixture in October standing as Lido’s only clean sheet in the JD Cymru South so far this season.
Predict the outcome of Afan Lido v Trefelin in our JD Cymru Leagues Match Predictor.
JD Cymru South – Caerau Ely v Cardiff Draconians (Friday, 7pm)
Caerau Ely and Cardiff Draconians will both be hoping to boost their promotion credentials when they meet in a derby at Cwrt yr Ala Road on Friday night.
Caerau Ely have slipped to fourth in the table after winning just one of their last five league matches. The Young Guns are four points behind the promotion spots, but do have a game in hand on third-place Ammanford. Dean Wheeler’s side were beaten 3-0 away at Trefelin on Boxing Day – their heaviest defeat in any competition since April 2024.
The Dracs are currently in fifth place, just one point behind Caerau, claimed a 2-0 victory over Llantwit Major on Boxing Day. That was their sixth consecutive home win in all competitions, but Nana Baah’s side have not triumphed on the road in the league since the end of September.
Caerau Ely were victorious in August’s reverse fixture as Harrison Lewis’ first half header proved enough to claim a 1-0 win at Lydstep Park – their third consecutive victory over the Dracs.
