As we enter the final straight of the JD Cymru Premier, let’s see how each team may finish the season. TNS are 17 points clear in first place and it looks certain that they will remain there come the end of the season.
However, the race for second place will intensify, with the teams below Connah’s Quay hoping to take their Eurpoean qualifiers spot. Will Neil Gibson’s men be able to hold on? We’ll be reviewing each team’s season so far and analysing where they could finish come the end of the season.
There are four teams all within three points of top spot in the Play Off Conference. The team in top spot will qualify for the European playoffs. Here they will face up against the teams in third to sixth. The winner will receive entry into the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying stage. Therefore, the competition for places between now and the end of the season is only going to become more intense.
The New Saints FC
It comes with no surprise that the reigning Cymru Premier champions find themselves in pole position to retain the trophy. TNS have finished nine out of the last 11 Cymru Premiership seasons in 1st place and it looks like this season will be no exception. They have only been prevented from winning six times out of the 26 games they have played this season, losing only once. The loss came in the first game of phase two against Cardiff Met.
They began the season in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round where they faced Linfield. The Cymru Premier champions won in the first leg 1-0 thanks to a Ryan Brobbel goal but unfortunately their fortunes didn’t carry forward to the away leg where they lost 2-0 after extra time. They then entered the second qualifying round for the Europa Conference League. However a 2-0 away loss to Víkingur Reykjavík saw them knocked out.
The star men for The New Saints have been Declan Mcmanus and Ryan Brobbel, who have scored 19 and 14 league goals respectively. As they enter the final straight of the Cymru Premier 17 points clear, the trophy looks almost certain to be remaining with TNS and they can now turn their focus to European Qualification next season.
Connah’s Quay Nomads FC
Neil Gibson’s men find themselves in second place as we enter the final straight of the JD Cymru Premier season. They had a mixed start to the season, with three wins and three losses in their first six games. This included a surprise 1-0 loss against Aberystwyth. However, that is where their form picked up, losing just once in their next 20 games. Their 16 game unbeaten run was ended by Haverfordwest County in the final game of phase one. The nomads best game of the season so far came in their 5-0 thumping of Pontypridd, where goals from John Disney, Mike Wilde, Callum Morris and a brace from Mike Hayes helped them to victory.
The standout player for the Nomads this season will come as no surprise. Michael Wilde who has chipped in with 10 goals this season, the most by any Nomads player. The Nomads will be hoping that the veteran striker will score a few more during the final straight of the Cymru Premier and fight off Penybont who will be chasing them.
Penybont FC
Currently in third place in the Championship conference, it could be argued that Penybont have exceeded expectations this campaign. The Bridgend based club finished in sixth place last season and were knocked out in the play offs to Flint on penalties. Fast forward to this season and they are in contention for second place and automatic qualification to the first Europa Conference league qualification round for the first time in their history.
Their season started by gaining four wins from their first six games, including a 2-0 win over Bala on the opening day. Their good form would continue, as they lost only two games out of their next 10. They are unbeaten in the Championship conference so far, picking up one win and drawing three times. This includes 1-1 draws against both TNS and Connah’s Quay. They stand within three points of the latter, meaning that Penybont have it all to play for as we enter the final straight of the Cymru Premier.
The man to look out for in the Bont side is Nathan Wood. The former Newport County academy man has scored 9 times in the Premier this season. This includes two goals in the four Championship Conference games he has appeared in so far. As well as Nathan, Ryan Reynolds has scored six times this campaign. The Welshman joined the club from Cardiff City’s Academy at the beginning of last season. Penybont fans will be hoping the two can fire their team above Connah’s Quay and into second place.
Cardiff Metropolitan FC
Cardiff Met entered the new season with a new manager. That man would be Ryan Jenkins, as Christian Edwards moved to the Director Of Football role. They have already improved from last season, having finished in the top six for the first time since the 2017/18 season. They entered phase two on the back of a great run of form too, having gone undefeated in their last 10 games of the regular season. During this run, they defeated Bala, Newtown and Penybont, three teams who are all battling it out in the Championship conference. However, only one win in their four games so far has prevented them from climbing up the table and being neck and neck with Connah’s Quay for second place.
The standout performers for Cardiff Met so far this season have been Lewis Rees and Eliot Evans, both players have seven goals for the club. Rees joined the club on a permanent deal from TNS in the summer, having spent two seasons on loan in the capital.
As far as performances go this season, the Cardiff side won’t do much better than beating the champions 3-2. That came during their 10 game unbeaten run and two goals from Chris Baker helped them to victory that day. In terms of disappointing results, conceding wight goals over the two games they played against Caernarfon Town was definitely not their greatest moment of the season. So what will the final straight of the Cymru Premier have in stock for Cardiff Met? If they re-find their form from before the split, they will certainly be knocking on the door of Connah’s Quay in second place.
Bala Town FC
Bala began the season attempting to qualify for the Europa Conference league. This came as a result of them finishing second in the league last season. However, they would fail to make it past the first round. Their faced Sligo Rovers of Ireland who defeated them 2-1 at home. They crossed the channel over to Ireland for the second leg, where Dave Edwards equalised to bring the tie to penalties. However, the Lakesiders came away defeated as they lost 4-3 on penalties.
Despite lifting the Nathaniel MG Cup in January, Bala have been unable to perform at the same level in the league as they did last season. They currently sit eight points below second. As well as this, they are winless in their first four games of the Championship conference. They have lost their last two games against Newtown and TNS and have one win in their last eight JD Cymru Premier games. The game against Newtown saw them concede 2 goals in added time against the 10 man Robins.
Adam Roscrow has been their key player of late, he has scored three goals in the four games since the split. That brings the TNS loanee to seven goals for the season. He’s level with summer signing George Newell as Bala’s top scorer in the Cymru Premier this campaign. Bala also have Cymru Premier legend Chris Venables as their captain. He has scored six goals so far this term. They face up against Cardiff Met on Saturday, with a win taking them above the Archers and fending off the threat of the Robins below them.
Newtown AFC
Being in the top six of the Cymru Premier means that Newtown have already qualified for the European playoffs. However, finishing in fifth will mean that they progress to the semi finals. With Chris Hughes into his 10th season in charge of the Robins. he’ll be hoping to guide them back to European success. However, he is going to have a difficult job of doing so as Newtown sit four points behind Bala who are above them.
The Powys based side have had a successful campaign, although they will do well to match their success from last season. They competed in the Europa Conference league qualification stage at the beginning of the season, where they were successful in the first round. The Robins faced up against HB Tórshavn of the Faroe Islands, who they defeated on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate score. They progressed to the next round and faced up against Spartak Trnava of Slovakia. Sadly for the Robins, they walked away 4-1 losers. The three-goal deficit proved too much as they were beaten 2-1 at home. This saw them knocked out of the competition.
Their biggest upset in the league was being held to a 4-4 draw against Airbus. This gave the Wingmakers their only point of the season. Their best game has arguably been when they put Aberystwyth to the sword, putting six goals past them in a 6-1 win. Nick Rushton and Nigel Aris scored braces that day to help them to victory Their star man so far this season has been Aaron Williams.
His 14 strikes in the competition this season ranks him joint second among the top scorers in the division. The aim for Newtown will be to win the playoffs, but finishing in fifth will really help their chances. After beating Bala a fortnight ago, Newtown have a much better chance of overtaking the Lakesiders. The Robins still have a lot to play for as we enter the final straight of the Cymru Premier season.
Haverfordwest County AFC
The West Wales side enter the Cymru Premier final straight on 33 points. Haverfordwest unfortunately saw Belgian manager Nicky Hayen leave to join Club Brugge in the summer. The club were then in the market for his replacement. Up stepped Tony Pennock, tasked with replicating the form of his predecessor’s side.
The former Aberystwyth manager would start the season well with the bluebirds, taking seven out of nine points from their first three games. Then came a few tight one goal defeats which seemed to be a pattern throughout their season. County’s best performance came in their 2-1 victory against Connah’s Quay in the final game before the split. Jordan Davies converted a penalty against his former club. Elliott Dugan also scored a potential goal of the season contender with a volley from long distance.
Jordan Davies has been Haverfordwest’s top scorer and standout player so far this term. The former Connah’s Quay man has fired in 10 goals so far this season. The Bluebirds are to face Airbus next, which on paper looks like a comfortable three points at home. Will they be able to hold onto that top spot in the final straight of the Play Off Conference? Only time will tell.
Caernarfon Town FC
Manager Huw Griffiths is into his fourth year as manager of Caernarfon. However, this season he has failed to reach the Championship phase for the first time since he joined. They started the season fairly well, picking up four wins from their first six games. However, a run of eight games without a win between November and January saw them fall into eighth position. The highlight of their season would be their 5 -1 win at home to Cardiff Met back in August. Braces from Darren Thomas and Ben Wynne paired with an Alex Lang own goal saw them to victory on that day.
Fidel O’Rourke had been their star man. He scored seven goals in 10 games, a goal every 91 minutes on average. However, the forward had his loan cut short by his parent club Liverpool. This was a massive blow for them as the Liverpool born forward looked to be picking up fine form. Their win against Haverfordwest County following the split may prove to be vital. The bluebirds currently sit top of the Playoff Conference. Caernarfon’s win means they are now within one point of the Pembrokeshire side.
Flint Town United FC
Flint have the fewest defeats out of all the teams in the Play-off Conference. Their 31 points leaves them one point above Pontypridd and only two points behind Haverfordwest who are top. This shows that there is still everything to play for going into the final straight of the Cymru Premier. Lee Fowler’s men had an impressive start to the season, picking up three wins from their first four games. This included a 2-0 win over Newtown. They have had a good start to the second phase of the Cymru Premier format, picking up two wins and a draw from the four games they have played so far.
Zack Clarke has been their star man recently. He has been firing in the goals in the Premier with six, including three in his last four games. The 20-year-old has been an inspired signing since joining on loan from Chester in January. He is their joint top scorer with Jean Louis Akpa Akpro. The Frenchman joined from Radcliffe in the summer and has also netted six times. With Pontypridd up next on Saturday, can the Silkmen open the gap up between them and the Dragons below them? Or will Pontypridd keep up their unbeaten start to phase two?
Pontypridd United
Pontypridd won promotion from the JD Cymru South in second place. This was due to Llantwit Major being unable to achieve the license required to compete in the top flight. The summer saw a change in management for them. Jonathan Jones stepped down and his replacement would be Pontardawe boss Andrew Stokes.
His new side have had a mixed season, however, they have picked up some vital wins as the season has progressed. This included a 2-1 win over Bala in January. However, it is within Phase two where the Dragons have really kicked on. They are unbeaten in the four games they have played in the playoff conference this season. This includes three wins and a 4-0 demolition of Airbus.
Picking up some experienced Cymru Premier players in the transfer window has definitely helped them this season. Clayton Green signed from Barry and now wears the armband for them. As well as this, they secured the signatures of Danny Williams, Joe Evans, and Ashley Morris, all of whom brought Premiership experience to the Dragons squad.
Ben Ahmun has netted 10 times this season and deservedly got called up to the Wales C squad. If Pontypridd can keep this form up the teams around them should be worried, especially Aberystwyth who remain four points off safety.
Aberystwyth Town FC
Aberystwyth have been one of the main-stays in the top division since it was established in 1992. They are one of only three teams that have competed in each and every season of the Cymru Premier. They finished in eighth place in the league last season and currently find themselves in 11th. This leaves them four points behind Pontypridd who are above them. So, how has their season gone so far? They have had a mix of highs and lows during their season. The highlight of their season being their 2-1 victory at home to Connah’s Quay at the beginning of the season. However, their 11-0 embarrassment at the hands of the giants TNS was definitley a moment to forget. That was their largest defeat in their top flight history.
Jonathan Evans is their top scorer so far this season with seven goals. The Aberystwyth faithful will be hoping he can score a few more before the end of the season and keep their side in the Premier. They will be hoping to continue their legacy of competing in the Cymru Premier every season since its introduction.
Airbus UK Broughton FC
Airbus UK gained promotion after winning the JD Cymru North last season. They finished on 72 points and nine points clear of second place Llandudno. The Wingmakers won 23/28 that campaign, however, they failed to carry their form forward into the Premier season. They lost all four of their opening matches, conceding nine goals. It was their following game against Caernarfon which proved to be the downfall of their season. They were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player during their 3-1 loss at The Oval Stadium. They picked up their one and only point at home to Newtown in an entertaining 4-4 draw. Matty Jones equalised late on for the away side, preventing Airbus from taking home all of the points. Following this result, they parted company with manager Steve O’Shaughnessy after six years at the club.
Unfortunately the appointment of Jamie Reed was unable to change their fortunes. Airbus will be plying their trade in the second division next season. Adam Davies is their top scorer with three goals, 26 less than he scored last season in the second division. Time to prepare for life back in JD Cymru North for the Wingmakers. They will be hoping to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
How do you think your team will get on in the Final Straight of the JD Cymru Premier? Who will finish in that all-important 2nd place? Who will be playing in the second division next season? Let us know what you think
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