JD Cymru Premier top six race goes down to the wire

Phase One in the JD Cymru Premier concludes on Tuesday night, with the race for spots in the Championship Conference going down to the wire. 

With The New Saints, Penybont and Haverfordwest County already assured of their place in the top half, three spots remain – with five clubs fighting for them. 

Two of the clubs involved, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town, meet at the Essity Stadium in the evening’s live Sgorio game. 

The Lakesiders could have secured their place in the top half by beating Caernarfon Town at the weekend, but a 2-0 loss – their first defeat in 10 league matches – leaves Colin Caton’s side in sixth place. They are level on points with seventh-place Barry Town United but with a significantly better goal difference. 

It means that Bala must avoid defeat tonight and at least match Barry’s result against Haverfordwest County if they are to compete in the Championship Conference for the 11th consecutive campaign. 

Meanwhile, the eighth-place Nomads trail the top six by three points, meaning they must beat Bala and hope that Barry lose to Haverfordwest to clinch a Championship Conference spot in dramatic fashion. 

A 7-2 win over Flint Town United on Boxing Day will have boosted confidence in the Nomads camp, but they have since suffered back-to-back away defeats to The New Saints and Penybont. 

The Nomads have not beaten Bala in the last five league matches played between the two sides, with this season’s reverse fixture ending goalless at Maes Tegid. 

Fourth-place Cardiff Met have not mathematically confirmed their place in the top half, but as they sit three points ahead of Barry with 11 better goal difference, it would take a hefty goal swing for the Archers to drop out. 

Ryan Jenkins’ side host league leaders The New Saints at Cyncoed Campus, having come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the other title-chasing side Penybont in their last outing. 

TNS head to the capital on a run of four consecutive league victories – the latest of which saw Josh Pask score a dramatic 99th-minute winner in a 2-1 triumph over Newtown. Craig Harrison’s side are currently one point above second-place Bont, who travel to Newtown on Tuesday night. 

Danny Davies and Remi Oteh added to Evan Cadwallader’s own goal as TNS ran out 3-0 victors in October’s league meeting against Met, before the two sides met again in the JD Welsh Cup the following month when the Saints came from behind to win 3-1.

Caernarfon took a significant step towards securing a second consecutive campaign in the Championship Conference with their 2-0 win over Bala on Saturday, which lifted them up to fifth in the table. 

The Cofis are now two points clear of seventh place as they prepare to host Flint Town United on Tuesday, so they must match at least one of Bala or Barry’s results. Richard Davies’ side have however been dealt a blow this week with Zack Clarke’s exit to TNS after his eight goals so far this season. 

Flint are currently only one point above the relegation zone in 10th place, but have won three of their last five matches including a crucial 2-0 victory over Newtown in their last outing. Matty Jones struck a late winner to earn a 2-1 victory for Caernarfon away at the Silkmen back in September. 

Barry Town United know that they must better Bala’s result – or Caernarfon’s with a three-goal swing – if they are to compete in the Championship Conference for the first time since 2020/21.

A run of five wins in six matches earlier in Phase One catapulted Steve Jenkins’ side into top six contention, but they have picked up just one point from their last four matches to see their odds decrease. 

Haverfordwest County are the visitors to Jenner Park on Tuesday night as they conclude what has been a very impressive Phase One. The Bluebirds, who currently sit in third place, will compete in the Championship Conference for the first time and have the best defence in the division with just 10 goals conceded in 21 matches. Tony Pennock’s side have won their last three matches, most recently a 5-1 thrashing of Briton Ferry Llansawel. 

Nothing could separate Barry and Haverfordwest in September as Ben Ahmun cancelled out Ollie Hulbert’s opener in a 1-1 draw. 

Tuesday night’s only other game sees Penybont travel to Newtown, with Rhys Griffiths’ side still hopeful of ending Phase One top of the table if TNS slip up at Cardiff Met. 

Newtown must win themselves if they are to avoid being in the relegation zone at the split, with the Robins currently on a six-match losing streak. They have not picked up a win in over three months. 

Newtown have not beaten Bont in their last eight meetings, with this season’s reverse fixture finishing goalless at the SDM Glass Stadium in August. 

Learn more from FA Wales

Sign up to receive all things FAW, from team news, tickets, domestic, grassroots, to exclusive offers and prize draws.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here.