JD Cymru Premier round-up | Cardiff Met and Caernarfon Town secure top six spots

Caernarfon Town confirmed their spot in the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference for the second consecutive season with a 3-0 win over Flint Town United at The Oval on Tuesday night. 

After victory over Bala Town on Saturday, the Cofis knew that another win would be enough to clinch their top half place but the game remained goalless at half-time – with Louis Lloyd coming closest to breaking the deadlock in the first as his curling effort was denied by the crossbar. 

However, Richard Davies’ side found an opener two minutes after the break as loanee Josh Lock controlled a loose ball in the box and fired home for a goal on his home debut. A foul in the box on Adam Davies gave Caernarfon the chance to double the lead on 78 minutes, but Lloyd saw his penalty saved by Jack Flint. 

The hosts were not to be deterred though, as Gruff John did make it 2-0 two minutes later as he guided home a volley into the bottom corner from Joe Faux’s corner. Jake Canavan had come off the bench for his debut after signing on loan from TNS and he wrapped up victory in the 84th minute with a neat finish after being played in by Davies. 

Cardiff Met also confirmed their place in the top six, despite a 2-0 home defeat to league leaders The New Saints. 

TNS opened the scoring six minutes before half-time as a foul from Jac Clay on Ben Clark inside the area allowed Remi Oteh to step up from the penalty spot and calmly convert past Alex Lang – the Met keeper making his last appearance for the club before departing for a coaching role at Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Craig Harrison’s side secured all three points in the 90th minute, when Clay’s nightmare evening continued as headed into his own net from Sion Bradley’s corner. Nonetheless, Barry Town United’s failure to beat Haverfordwest County made sure of the Archers’ top six spot. 

TNS end Phase One just one point ahead of second-place Penybont, who triumphed 2-1 away at Newtown on Tuesday thanks to Owen Pritchard’s brace. 

Pritchard got Bont off to a flying start in the fifth minute at Latham Park as he fired home at the near post after Chris Venables’ effort was blocked, before doubling the advantage just two minutes into the second half when he volleyed home James Crole’s floated cross. 

Newtown halved the deficit just four minutes later when Dom Smith poked the ball home after Bont goalkeeper Adam Przybek had fumbled the ball, but the Robins could not find an equaliser as they finished Phase One in the relegation zone and on a run of seven consecutive defeats. 

Barry Town United earned a 1-1 draw with Haverfordwest County at Jenner Park, but must now wait to see if that point is enough to earn them a place in the top six. 

It was the worst possible start for Steve Jenkins’ side as Haverfordwest took the lead inside just 20 seconds at Jenner Park courtesy of Ben Ahmun, who latched onto Dylan Rees’ long ball over the top and dispatched a clinical effort into the bottom corner for his eighth goal of the season. 

Barry got back on level terms midway through the first half as Kayne McLaggon controlled Evan Press’ clever backheel across the six yard box before firing into the roof of the net. 

Haverfordwest thought they had won the contest in second half stoppage time when Ben Fawcett charged down Liam Armstrong’s attempted long ball and tapped home into an empty net, but the goal was ruled out for handball by the Bluebirds striker.  

The game between Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town at the Essity Stadium was abandoned in the 62nd minute due to fog causing visibility issues. The Nomads were 3-0 up at the time, but the match will be replayed in full on Friday 17 January following a vote of the FAW National Leagues Board

Rhys Hughes had scored twice in the first 10 minutes, first with an astonishing strike from the halfway line before he dispatched a low free-kick from the edge of the box. The Nomads added a third before half-time as Ben Nash rose highest to head home from Chris Marriott’s corner. 

A Nomads win in the rearranged fixture will confirm Barry’s place in the top six, but Bala will overtake the Linnets with a win or draw. 

Midweek results in full:

Barry Town United 1-1 Haverfordwest County
Caernarfon Town 3-0 Flint Town United
Cardiff Met 0-2 The New Saints
Connah’s Quay Nomads A-A Bala Town
Newtown 1-2 Penybont

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