Connah’s Quay are doing their best to give us a genuine title race this season in the JD Welsh Premier League.
The league is crying out for a side to threaten The New Saints’ six-year run as champions and almost a quarter of the way through the new season, the Nomads are going along nicely with a win over the champions already under their belts.
Connah’s Quay will top the table with a home win against Carmarthen on Saturday, The New Saints are currently one point ahead but do not play until Sunday lunchtime, where they face Cardiff Met in the weekend’s televised game.
With a further three meetings expected between the two teams over the duration of the season, the extend of their challenge is in Connah’s Quay’s hands.
The Nomads can keep the pressure on The New Saints with a third straight win this weekend.
The club made their latest statement last week with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Llandudno in front of the live TV cameras. It was a display which manager Andy Morrison rated as among the best he’s seen during his time in charge.
“We go into [this weekend’s] game on the back of a very good performance away at Llandudno – we were as good as we’ve been since I came to the club and we set a standard that we must strive to match in every game going forwards,” he said.
Consistency will be imperative to the Nomads if they are to put up a sustained challenge for the league title and Morrison has urged his team to again show desire to see off Carmarthen.
“Carmarthen over the years have always been difficult games and this game will be no different. Neil Smothers has put together a very strong, athletic team who are scoring goals.
“There are a group of talented young managers coming through in the Welsh league and my staff and I must match that enthusiasm and energy in every game that we play – we cannot go into any game where the opponent’s desire is greater than ours – at a minimum we must match it.”
The New Saints travel to the capital on a strong run of form that have seen them keep six consecutive clean-sheets while Cardiff Met have slipped to four defeats this season.
The Students will be hoping for a repeat of last year where they held The New Saints to three draws in their four meetings, but Scott Ruscoe is determined to capitalise on Cardiff Met’s slow start.
“Whether it’s a taking a little bit time for them to gel or whether it’s because it’s early in the season and they’ve perhaps underachieved a little bit, it starts on Sunday again and they’ll want to put that right. We certainly don’t want another draw, we want to win this game on Sunday,” said the Saints manager.
MORE TO COME FROM NEWTOWN
Newtown have got off to a good start in the season, currently sitting in sixth-spot but Robins boss Chris Hughes feels there is still more to come from his side ahead of their visit to bottom-side Llanelli tonight.
Newtown are currently in the top-half thanks to a 100 percent home record that has seen them take in wins over Caernarfon, Bala and Cardiff Met so far, but the Mid-Wales side are yet to win away from home.
On paper, a trip to Llanelli might seem the ideal opportunity to change that and after a tough midweek League Cup win over Penybont, Hughes is hoping his team’s momentum can secure them a first away win.
“I think momentum is key and we have had two wins on the bounce and a clean sheet this week will help”, he said.
“Friday will be a different game, I’ve seen some of their games and they should have more points on the board. They are a good side with experienced WPL players and some young lads.
“It will be a tough game but we want to impose our style on them and start on the front foot to get a positive result.”
NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE WPL GROUNDS
Cardiff Met’s leading scorer Adam Roscrow is close to returning from injury. The striker, who hit 15 goals last season, is yet to feature this season but it is understood he could play some part against The New Saints on Sunday.
Connah’s Quay goalkeeper John Danby is expected to make his 100th start for the club this weekend.
Aberystwyth Town will be offering students free entry at Park Avenue for Saturday’s clash with Barry. See club website for details.
All 12 WPL clubs will be supporting World Heart Day 2018 on Saturday 29th September, which is the world’s largest campaign for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease
And finally… something tells me Sean Hanbury’s latest goal celebration for Carmarthen Town is unlikely to catch on across the rest of the league. Ouch.
BOING! 💥😂@SeanHanbury1 pic.twitter.com/AHJoNYyPUx
— JD Cymru Leagues 🏴 (@CymruLeagues) September 27, 2018
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday: Bala Town v Llandudno, Cefn Druids v Caernarfon, Llanelli v Newtown. Saturday: Connah’s Quay v Carmarthen, Aberystwyth v Barry Town. Sunday: Cardiff Met v The New Saints (TV game).
| 1 | The New Saints | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 20 | 16 |
| 2 | Connah’s Quay Nomads | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 15 |
| 3 | Barry Town United FC | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 13 |
| 4 | Caernarfon Town | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| 5 | Bala Town | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 10 |
| 6 | Newtown | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 |
| 7 | Aberystwyth Town | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 10 |
| 8 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 9 |
| 9 | Llandudno FC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 10 | Carmarthen Town AFC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 8 |
| 11 | Cefn Druids | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| 12 | Llanelli Town AFC | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 4 |