What are the prospects for each JD Cymru Premier side in Phase Two?

With Phase Two in the JD Cymru Premier beginning this evening, we take a look at what’s at stake for each side. 

The New Saints

In hot pursuit of their ninth title in succession, for current leaders The New Saints, becoming JD Cymru Premier champions is simply a must. 

Scott Ruscoe’s men sit at the pinnacle of the JD Cymru Premier table after Phase One, four points above their main title rivals, Connah’s Quay Nomads. 

Crucially, The New Saints ended Phase One by coming from behind against the Nomads to record a 2-1 victory, courtesy of a Simon Spender winner. 

The coming weeks could make or break Scott Ruscoe’s side’s grip on the title, with difficult trips to Bala Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads beckoning in February. 

In Phase Two, The New Saints will, without doubt, play their part in a hotly-contested JD Cymru Premier title race, and are firm favourites to claim their ninth title in-a-row.

Connah’s Quay Nomads

If the JD Cymru Premier is to have a different winner for the first time since Bangor City won the title in the 2010-2011 season, Connah’s Quay Nomads look the most equipped side to knock The New Saints off their perch, despite currently sitting four points behind their title rivals.

On the back of winning the Nathaniel MG Cup for the second time in their history, with an emphatic 3-0 win over STM Sports, the Nomads look to take their cup success into the JD Cymru Premier title race. 

The Nomads’ strength in Phase One was their home form, having recorded 27 points from a possible 33, an average of 2.5 points per game at the Deeside Stadium this season. 

Andy Morrison’s side’s home form will be crucial in their bid to topple The New Saints, with a key fixture against their title rivals at the Deeside Stadium on the 21^st of February.

Starting with a difficult trip to Barry Town’s Jenner Park, we expect the Nomads to provide stern competition for The New Saints in Phase Two.

Bala Town

In December, Bala Town were on a five-game winning run, including two emphatic wins over Newtown and Aberystwyth, where Bala scored a total of nine goals; Colin Caton’s men were in title-winning form. 

However, the Lakesiders form since that run has been indifferent, with losses to Connah’s Quay Nomads, Cardiff Met and Cefn Druids. 

Still in search of their first point in 2020, Colin Caton’s side have fallen adrift in the title race and currently trail leaders The New Saints by nine points, meaning their title chances are now out of their hands.

The Lakesiders can, however, find comfort in their goalscoring abilities, having scored an average of 2.1 goals per JD Cymru Premier game this season. 

Bala Town’s attacking prowess is heavily down to the form of striker Chris Venables, who is joint-top with Greg Draper in the JD Cymru Premier top scorers chart, with a tally of 18 goals. 

In Phase Two, Colin Caton’s side must turn around their recent form if they are to stake a claim in the title race, but a third place finish will secure Europa League football next season in the likely case that either The New Saints or Connah’s Quay Nomads win the Welsh Cup.

Barry Town United

Currently in fifth place, just a point behind Bala Town, Barry Town’s prospects in Phase Two are very similar to those of the Lakesiders. 

Gavin Chesterfield’s side started the season well, most notably defeating the New Saints 1-0 at The Venue, with a goal from Evan Press. 

However, the Linnets’ title chances were severely damaged by their form in November, losing to Caernarfon Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Cefn Druids and Newtown. 

As the seven-time JD Cymru Premier champions look to close the gap on the top two, Gavin Chesterfield’s men will be buoyed by the signing of former Wales international David Cotterill, whose high profile will be a big boost to the club. 

In similar vein to Bala Town, a top three finish will be vitally important for Barry Town at the end of Phase Two, as it is likely to secure a Europa League spot for next season.

Caernarfon Town

Six points behind Barry are Caernarfon Town, who appointed Huw Griffiths as their first team manager last week after he departed Cefn Druids. 

Sean Eardley will stay on as assistant manager, in what is a new-look management team at The Oval.

Still in search for their first win in 2020, the Cofis’ claim for a top three place is now out of their hands. 

However, Caernarfon could still qualify for a Europa League spot through the play-offs, and would advance to the semi-final if they secure a place in the top five come the end of Phase Two. 

With Newtown hot on their heels, the Cofis must avoid dropping to sixth place if they are to avoid a quarter-final play-off fixture against the JD Cymru Premier’s seventh placed side. 

In Phase Two, as a place in the top three is now out of their hands, it is likely that Huw Griffiths’ side will have to compete in the play-offs for a Europa League spot.

Newtown

Having secured the final Championship Conference berth with a goalless contest against Airbus UK Broughton at Latham Park on the final day of Phase One, the Robins will now compete with the JD Cymru Premier’s top five. 

Currently in sixth place with 32 points, Chris Hughes’ side are hot on the heels of Caernarfon Town as they look to climb the table. 

The Robins will take encouragement that they can compete with the JD Cymru Premier’s elite from their very impressive defensive record. 

Chris Hughes’ men have conceded just three goals in the league since November, coming in a 2-0 defeat to The New Saints and a 2-1 victory over Aberystwyth. 

Competing for a place in the Europa League next season, the Robins will be keen to avoid a quarter-final play-off fixture, meaning that they must, first and foremost, leapfrog the Cofis. 

Cardiff Met University

Missing out on the top six by just a point, Cardiff Met will be in intense competition with Cefn Druids for a place in the play-offs in Phase Two. 

In Phase One, Cardiff Met proved that they are capable of competing with the best, having defeated The New Saints 2-1 at the Venue, with goals from Joel Edwards and Will Evans. 

However, Met’s form against the teams at the lower end of the table has been inconsistent, losing to Carmarthen and Aberystwyth, and drawing to Penybont, all at Cyncoed Campus. 

Christian Edwards’ side must make a habit of beating the teams below them if they are to secure a place in the European play-offs. 

In Phase Two, we expect Cardiff Met to be in battle with Cefn Druids for seventh place, which will secure a place in the quarter-finals of the play-offs. 

Cefn Druids

There has been big news at Cefn Druids this week as Huw Griffiths’ contract as first-team manager was terminated, allowing him to become the manager of Caernarfon Town. 

In the permanent absence of Griffiths, Stuart Gelling has been appointed as the club’s sporting director. 

The change in management could make or break the Ancients this season, as they look to secure Europa League football next season. 

The Druids missed out on a place in the top six by just a point, but will have to put that disappointment behind them as they go into Phase Two.

A trip to Airbus UK Broughton is what lies ahead for the Ancients, as the contest between them and Cardiff Met for seventh place begins. 

Aberystwyth Town

Currently eight points behind the Druids are Aberystwyth Town. 

Matthew Bishop’s side’s chances of finishing in seventh place, which would earn them a spot in the European play-offs, is out of their hands. 

The Seasiders’ form in 2020 has been positive, with wins over Caernarfon Town and Penybont respectively.

Matthew Bishop was very active in the January transfer market, bringing in midfielders Ilan Hughes, Pavel Vieira and James Rowland, defender David Thompson and front-men Alhagi Touray Sisay and Adam Davies. 

The Seasiders will also be buoyed by the news that midfielder Paulo Mendes has pledged his loyalty to the club, by rejecting offers from other JD Cymru Premier clubs. 

After a successful transfer window, Bishop’s side look to close the gap on Cardiff Met and Cefn Druids in Phase Two.

Penybont

Just two points above the drop-zone are Penybont. 

Rhys Griffiths’ men started 2020 well, with a draw to Caernarfon Town and a victory over Cefn Druids, but fell to a 1-0 defeat at Aberystwyth’s Park Avenue last time out. 

In hot competition with Airbus UK Broughton and Carmarthen Town, the Bont are in a relegation dog-fight.

Therefore, results against the teams below them will be crucial in their bid to stay in the JD Cymru Premier. 

In a vital game at The SDM Glass Stadium tomorrow night, Penybont would extend the gap between them and their opponents Carmarthen Town to six points if they are victorious.

In Phase Two, we expect the tussle between the JD Cymru Premier’s bottom three to go down to the wire. 

Airbus UK Broughton

Last season’s JD Cymru North Champions have found life in the JD Cymru Premier difficult, and currently sit in the relegation zone. 

The Wingmakers’ weakness in Phase One was their defensive record, conceding 58 goals, an average of 2.6 goals per game. 

However, Steve O’Shaughnessy’s side have made an unbeaten start to 2020, with draws against Carmarthen and Newtown. 

Their two points in January is more than the points they recorded in all of November and December last year combined. 

Starting by hosting Cefn Druids, the Wingmakers will be in the hunt to secure their JD Cymru Premier status in Phase Two.

Carmarthen Town

Lowly Carmarthen Town currently sit at the foot of the JD Cymru Premier table. 

The Old Gold have won just twice this season, but are just three points adrift of safety. 

Kristian O’Leary’s side started 2020 on a three-game unbeaten run, picking up seven points in total in a double-header against Penybont and a home fixture against Airbus UK Broughton.

Carmarthen, therefore, looked as though their form was picking up and that the Old Gold would soon be climbing up the table. 

This was until their trip to Barry Town last time out, where they were comprehensively beaten 7-1. 

However, Kristian O’Leary’s side’s chances of playing in the JD Cymru Premier next season are far from over, and would leapfrog Penybont with victory over them tomorrow night. 

With so much at stake at both ends of the table, Phase Two in the JD Cymru Premier promises to be fiercely competitive.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)