Following last weekend’s JD Welsh Cup action, a packed JD Cymru Leagues schedule returns with some crucial clashes at both ends of the tables.
JD Cymru Premier – The New Saints v Caernarfon Town (Friday, 7:45pm)
It is first versus third in the JD Cymru Premier as The New Saints host Caernarfon Town at Park Hall in S4C’s live fixture on Friday night.
TNS were the biggest casualty of the JD Welsh Cup third round last weekend as they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 away at Cardiff Met. However, Craig Harrison’s side remain nine points clear at the top of the league table following a comfortable 3-0 win away at Flint Town United a fortnight ago.
The New Saints v Caernarfon Town
Caernarfon are unbeaten in their last five league matches, with Josh Lock’s stoppage time goal salvaging a 1-1 draw away at Llanelli Town two weeks ago. The midfielder then bagged a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Penrhyncoch in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend, but he will not be available on Friday as he is on loan from TNS – alongside Sion Bradley and Zack Clarke.
TNS have triumphed against Caernarfon twice already this season, with a 3-1 victory in the reverse league fixture and a 3-0 win in the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finals.
Predict the outcome of The New Saints v Caernarfon Town in our JD Cymru Leagues Match Predictor.
JD Cymru North – Holywell Town v Llandudno (Friday, 7:45pm)
The JD Cymru North’s top two face off in a highly-anticipated promotion battle as leaders Llandudno travel to second-place Holywell Town on Friday night.
Llandudno are the only side yet to lose in the division this season, with a 2-1 win away at Denbigh Town in their last league outing sending the Seasiders a point clear at the summit with two games in hand over their title rivals.
Jordan Hadaway’s side continued their stellar form in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend as they stunned top-flight Connah’s Quay Nomads with a 2-1 victory – their 11th straight win in all competitions.
Holywell suffered their first league defeat of the campaign against Buckley Town three weeks ago before Danny Sullivan’s stoppage-time header salvaged a 2-2 draw with Newtown. The Wellmen will be hoping to bounce back from a shock 2-1 loss away at third tier Bangor City 1876 in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend.
Holywell have done the double over Llandudno in each of the last two seasons, scoring 11 goals across four matches and conceding just twice.
Predict the outcome of Holywell Town v Llandudno in our JD Cymru Leagues Match Predictor.
JD Cymru South – Ynyshir Albions v Cwmbran Celtic (Saturday, 2pm)
Key points are up for grabs at the bottom end of the JD Cymru South as 15th-place Ynyshir Albions host bottom-of-the-table Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday afternoon.
Ynyshir have lost their last five league matches, most recently a 4-0 defeat away at Aberystwyth Town last weekend, with their only win in the JD Cymru South this season coming against Pontypridd United at the start of August.
Meanwhile, Celtic are the only side in the division yet to win this season and their 7-0 defeat to Pontypridd United last time out was a fifth consecutive loss. However, victory on Saturday would see them go level on points with Ynyshir with a game in hand.
Both sides last met in the JD Cymru South in the 2022/23 season, when Celtic earned a 4-1 home win before Ynyshir gained revenge with a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
