Another weekend of action awaits in the Novira Cymru Leagues, with plenty to look forward to as battles continue at the top of the Tier 2 tables and familiar faces return to old grounds. Here are the key games to watch.
Novira Cymru Premier – Flint Town United vs Colwyn Bay (Saturday, 5:15pm)
Flint Town United will look to maintain their perfect start under new manager Danny Holmes, who faces his former club Colwyn Bay at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.
Holmes previously served as a player-coach at Colwyn Bay in 2023 and will now stand opposite his former teammate and current Seagulls boss Michael Wilde, with the pair having won back-to-back Novira Cymru Premier titles together during their time at Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Holmes took the reins at Flint following Lee Fowler’s departure last month and the 37-year-old has enjoyed a dream first few weeks in charge. His first match in the dugout was also Flint’s first win of the season as Holmes’ side stormed to a 3-0 victory against Ammanford. Flint then made the long journey down to Haverfordwest County last weekend and returned home with all three points as Joe Malkin’s late header sealed a 1-0 win. The Silkmen are now hoping to claim three consecutive league wins for the first time in 18 months.
Colwyn Bay have a perfect home record still intact which has helped strengthen their place in the top half in recent weeks, but they have only won once away from home this season. The Seagulls’ four-match winning streak came to an end last weekend following a 1-0 defeat away to Briton Ferry Llansawel, who were down to 10 players for most of the second half.
Bay’s current top scorer Jordan Davies netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Flint in the first Phase One meeting between the two sides last season, but Flint hit back as their captain Harry Owen scored a dramatic stoppage time header to clinch a 2-1 away win.
Flint Town United vs Colwyn Bay
Novira Cymru Premier – Cambrian United vs Ammanford (Friday, 7:45pm)
After earning their first ever Novira Cymru Premier win last weekend, Ammanford travel to face Cambrian United at the M&P Group 3G on Friday.
Ammanford’s only three points from their first 11 games came in draws against Colwyn Bay, Trefelin and Ammanford – all of which included late drama of some sort. Wyn Thomas’ side put an end to their winless run last Saturday though as Matthew Fisher, who was playing for Ammanford when they competed in the fourth tier, followed up on Jonathan Evans’ stunning strike to score the winner in a historic 2-1 victory over Holywell Town.
It was an evening to forget for Cambrian three weeks ago as they lost 9-1 at Caernarfon Town and finished the game with nine players. The Cam Army responded as Alex Bonthron’s hat-trick inspired a thrilling 4-3 win over Llandudno, which kept their unbeaten home record alive, but Liam Williams’ team conceded nine goals once again last weekend in a 9-0 loss away to champions The New Saints.
Cambrian will now be hoping they can achieve the consistency levels they had at the start of last month. Defender Josh Beecher and midfielder Josh Allen will both be absent on Friday as they continue to serve their suspensions.
Ammanford and Cambrian held each other to 1-1 and 0-0 draws on their way to promotion from the Novira Cymru South last season. Ammanford have failed to win in their seven previous visits to the Rhondda.
Cambrian United vs Ammanford
Novira Cymru North – Brickfield Rangers vs Mold Alexandra (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Novira Cymru North leaders Brickfield Rangers go searching for their sixth straight league win when they host third-place Mold Alexandra at Clywedog Park on Saturday.
Brickfield have remained top of the table since matchday three and have exceeded most people’s expectations as the league’s surprise package so far. Gareth Wilson’s side extended their winning run to six matches in all competitions in dramatic style last weekend as current Novira Cymru North top scorer Andy Vale scored a 96th minute winner to seal a 3-2 victory away to Rhyl 1879. Brickfield have won all of their home games this season so far and have only failed to score two or more goals on one occasion.
Mold made a statement with their 4-2 victory away to Bala Town a fortnight ago, which sent the Alex up to second in the table. However, Mold immediately dropped back down to third-place last weekend after conceding a stoppage time goal in a 2-1 loss to Newtown – their first home defeat of the season. Lucas Gregson has been a bright spark for Mold recently with his four goals in his last four games from defence, but Mold will be without their current top scorer Luca Hogan against Brickfield following his red card last Saturday.
Mold were on the right side of late drama on both occasions against Brickfield last season as Owen Cordiner and Max McGoona both bagged late winners to secure 1-0 and 2-1 wins respectively.
Novira Cymru South – Aberystwyth vs Caerau Ely (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Aberystwyth Town aim to maintain pressure at the top of the Novira Cymru South when they host in-form Caerau Ely at Park Avenue on Saturday.
Second-place Aberystwyth are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, with their only dropped points during that time coming in a goalless draw against current league leaders Pure Swansea, where the Seasiders missed the chance to go top. Craig Williams’ side are still only one point behind the Swans though, following their 3-1 victory over Pontypridd United last weekend.
Start-of-season title favourites Caerau suffered a 3-1 defeat to Baglan Dragons in Ben Stait’s first match in charge as new manager, but the Young Guns have massively improved and have secured four consecutive wins since, including a 2-0 victory over Afan Lido last weekend, which lifted them up to fourth in the table – just four points behind leaders Pure Swansea.
Caerau midfielder Lewis Harling will be looking to continue his bright form with three goals in his last two games, while Liam Bishop, who set up both goals against Lido, has racked up at least one goal contribution in eight of the club’s first nine matches.
Caerau earned two victories and kept two clean sheets against Aberystwyth last season as Dan Griffiths scored the only goal in a 1-0 win before Bishop’s brace inspired a 4-0 away triumph in the reverse fixture.
