Y CLWB PELDROED 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.
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 In Phase Two, The New Saints will, rivals at the Deeside Stadium without doubt, play their part in on the 21st of February. a hotly-contested JD Cymru Starting with a difficult trip to Premier title race, and are firm Barry Town’s Jenner Park, we favourites to claim their ninth expect the Nomads to provide title in-a-row. stern competition for The New Connah’s Quay Nomads Saints in Phase Two. If the JD Cymru Premier is to Bala Town have a different winner for the first time since Bangor City won In December, Bala Town were on a five-game winning run, the title in the 2010-2011 season, Connah’s Quay Nomads look the including two emphatic wins over Newtown and most equipped side to knock Aberystwyth, where Bala scored The New Saints off their perch, a total of nine goals; Colin despite currently sitting four Caton’s men were in titlepoints behind their title rivals. winning form. On the back of winning the However, the Lakesiders form Nathaniel MG Cup for the second time in their history, with since that run has been indifferent, with losses to an emphatic 3-0 win over STM Sports, the Nomads look to take Connah’s Quay Nomads, Cardiff
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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
