Return Of The Cymru Leagues: Picking Up Where We Left Off

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Caernarfon Town’s spectacular 4-3 win at Flint Town United on 21st December was the last time a ball was kicked in the Cymru Leagues, but domestic football in Wales finally returns tonight as the top-three tiers of Welsh football resume with spectators in attendance.

Friday night’s card features three matches from the Cymru Premier and six Tier 2 fixtures, including four from the Cymru South.

The top-flight picks up with The New Saints holding a seemingly unassailable 12-point lead at the top of the table, not least from current title holders Connah’s Quay, who make their first visit of the season to Park Hall.

The clash between the heavyweights should make for good Friday night viewing (streamed online via Sgorio), but the Nomads run the risk of finding themselves 20-points off top should they lose, thus ending any remote hopes they may have of retaining the league title for a third-successive year.

If the race for the title has the feel of a foregone conclusion about it, the battle for second-place and the remaining European spot is anything but. Newtown boldly continue to punch above their weight in second but just five points separate them from Connah’s Quay in fifth, and that’s not even including perennial Euro qualifier’s Bala Town, who’re a further two-points off that.

There are a further five rounds before the league splits for Phase 2 of the competition, but this season’s reduction in European places tarnishes the top-six/play-off format with the play-offs now offering the significantly less-financially appealing award of a spot in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

The relegation battle in the Cymru Premier this season should also be interesting to follow with a healthy number of clubs in both the Cymru North and South seeking promotion.

Andy Turner has the unenviable task of turning around the fortunes of winless Cefn Druids, who’re 15-points adrift of safety. Realistically, the Ancients (no, that’s not a reference to their last victory) are already down and Turner’s focus will be on putting the building blocks in place to bounce back at first attempt.

The second relegation spot however is far from concluded. Its current incumbents Haverfordwest unexpectedly find themselves in a relegation scrap with their pre-season sights set on a top-six challenge. Since last playing, the ambitious Pembrokeshire side have appointed the league’s first Belgian manager in Nicky Hayen to steer them upwards, and how Hayen adapts to Welsh football will be one of the storylines to follow in the second-half of the season.

If Haverfordwest do pull their way out of trouble, that could spell danger for Aberystwyth, Nathaniel-MG Cup finalists Cardiff Met or even Barry Town, dare I say it. All three clubs return to action just three-points above the drop zone.

In the Cymru North, Airbus have dropped just five-points all season, yet only have a four-point lead at the top, such is the fight second-placed Llandudno are putting up. Guilsfield, third, remain the league’s only unbeaten side and may also have a say in how the promotion race plays out, with all three clubs applying for Tier 1 licensing.

Down south, four-points separate the top-three. Pontypridd currently occupy top-spot but Llantwit Major and Briton Ferry are hot on their heels with strong promotion aspirations of their own.

Friday fixtures
Cymru Premier
The New Saints v Connah’s Quay
Penybont v Aberystwyth Town
Cefn Druids v Caernarfon

Cymru North
Llandudno v Holywell Town
Guilsfield v Gresford

Cymru South
Swansea Uni v Risca United
Ammanford v Port Talbot
Goytre United v Afan Lido
Cambrian & Clydach v Carmarthen Town

Saturday fixtures
Cymru Premier
Newtown v Haverfordwest
Cardiff Met v Bala Town
Barry Town v Flint Town

Cymru North
Ruthin Town v Airbus UK
Llangefni v Llanrhaeadr
Conwy Borough v Prestatyn Town
Penrhyncoch v Buckley Town
Llanidloes Town v Colwyn Bay

Cymru South
Cwmbran Celtic v Trefelin
Llantwit Major v Llanelli
Undy v Taffs Well
Briton Ferry v Pontypridd

Featured image: FAW

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