Cefn Druids completed their JD Welsh Premier League commitments with a confidence boosting win over Connah’s Quay at The Rock ahead of their forthcoming Europa League Play-Off campaign.
Druids leapfrogged Cardiff Met to finish the season in fifth-place after they saw off Connah’s Quay with two first-half strikes.
Depending on the outcome of next weekend’s Welsh Cup final Cefn Druids will either host Cardiff Met in the semi-final or receive a bye to the Play-Off final.
The result will leave Connah’s Quay boss Andy Morrison with plenty to contemplate ahead of their Welsh Cup final appearance.
The Nomads looked uncomfortable in their 4-4-2 shape and even after making two changes during the interval, they struggled to penetrate Cefn Druids.
A 90th minute red card issued to captain Callum Morris capped a disappointing night for Morrison’s men, who will now be without Morris for the Final.
For a side who were many people’s choice to occupy one of the two relegation places this season, Cefn Druids continue to defy. Huw Griffiths has assembled a well-organised side, who are able to absorb pressure as well as take their own chances.
It took just five minutes for Cefn Druids to get off the mark when Matty Owen had time to apply a well-placed finish from 20 yards against his former club.
With the goal settling the hosts, Connah’s Quay found it difficult to retaliate and when they did, they were unable to find a way past Druids keeper Michael Jones, who made two fine saves to thwart the Nomads.
Jones acrobatically tipped over a Jonny Spittle header following a neat cut-back cross from Sean Smith before pushing Michael Bakare’s low shot from distance around the post, as it fizzed through the crowded area.
Druids hit back with timely second goal on the stroke of half-time. From out of nothing, Jamie Davies skipped past experienced Connah’s Quay defender Mike Pearson before beating John Danby with an angled finished.
Two changes at the start of the second half didn’t have the impact that Andy Morrison would’ve hoped for as his side looked passive and unable to find a way through a dominant Cefn Druids defence.
The introduction of Nathan Woolfe did lift the Nomads’ performance and the winger was inches away from halving their deficit when his 25 yard free kick flashed passed the post with Jones caught flat-footed.
Jones was beaten again on 79 minutes when Michael Wilde picked out his strike partner Andy Owens in space, but his downward header from point blank bounced back off the post.
That was as good as it got for Connah’s Quay as Nathan Peate became increasingly dominant in the heart of the Cefn Druids defence on what was a lacklustre night for the visitors.
Cardiff Met were unable to hold onto fifth-place after they were held to a 3-3 draw with The New Saints.
Kevin Kauber struck twice in the opening eight minutes for Saints before Joel Edwards and Jordan Lam replied before half time. Adam Roscrow completed the comeback for the Students two minutes after the break before Ryan Brobbel restored parity as both teams shared the points.
Goals from Steven Hewitt and George Harry temporarily lifted Bangor City’s spirits as the Citizens recorded a 2-1 win over Bala Town in what will be their final game in the JD Welsh Premier League.
Welsh Cup finalists Aberystwyth saw off mid-Wales rivals Newtown with a thrilling 5-3 victory at Park Avenue.
Aberystwyth forged a two-goal lead through John Owen and Declan Walker but that lead was halved deep into first-half added time, when rookie striker Ethan Jones pulled a goal back for the Robins. Newtown rallied after the break and two goals in the space of four minutes from Nick Rushton and Craig Williams saw them take a 3-2 lead. Aber were not done however and Matthew Jones and a brace from Ryan Wade restored their two-goal lead in an entertaining encounter. again demonstrated the attacking
Barry Town edged past Carmarthen Town thanks to Jonathon Hood’s 55th minute effort. Prestatyn and Llandudno finished goalless.
JD Welsh Premier League results
Aberystwyth 5-3 Newtown; Bala Town 1-2 Bangor City; Barry Town 1-0 Carmarthen, Cefn Druids 2-0 Connah’s Quay; Prestatyn 0-0 Llandudno; The New Saints 3-3 Cardiff Met.
| Pos. | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | The New Saints (C) | 32 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 83 | 32 | 51 | 74 |
| 2 | Bangor City (R) | 32 | 19 | 3 | 10 | 49 | 32 | 17 | 60 |
| 3 | Connahs Quay | 32 | 17 | 6 | 9 | 46 | 29 | 17 | 57 |
| 4 | Bala Town (Play-Off) | 32 | 15 | 4 | 13 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 49 |
| 5 | Cefn Druids (Play-Off) | 32 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 38 | 41 | -3 | 44 |
| 6 | Cardiff Met (Play-Off) | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 46 | 41 | 5 | 43 |
| 7 | Barry Town (Play-Off) | 32 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 53 |
| 8 | Newtown | 32 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 52 | 55 | -3 | 40 |
| 9 | Aberystwyth Town | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 47 | 56 | -9 | 37 |
| 10 | Llandudno | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 36 |
| 11 | Carmarthen Town | 32 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 35 | 62 | -27 | 29 |
| 12 | Prestatyn Town (R) | 32 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 27 | 67 | -40 | 19 |