After last weekend’s action in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, Matthew Burgess gives his weekly power rankings following the big divide.
Matchday 22 signalled the end of Phase 1 and we now know Carmarthen will be joining TNS, Connah’s Quay, Bala, Bangor and Cardiff Met in the top-six Championship Conference when the league resumes next month. Those fortunate enough to be in the top-six are now exempt from relegation and can begin to think about European qualification via a second-place finish or the end of season play-offs.
The bottom-six – aka the Play-Off Conference – aptly named given the leading club (essentially finishing 7th in the table) will be given the chance to enter the European play-offs – looks closer than it has ever been, and there is the very real threat that an established WPL club will face relegation this season.
Aberystwyth Town are one of those clubs at risk and they slipped to the foot of Power Rankings this week following their defeat to Cardiff Met. Unsurprisingly, Newtown are the big climbers after upsetting football coupons across the land with their dramatic draw at TNS ending the league leaders record-breaking run; the Robins fly three places up the Power Rankings ladder.
#1 (Last week 1) THE NEW SAINTS
D 3-3 v Newtown (A)
It was one too many for TNS as an unlikely late comeback brought their stunning run to an end. A remarkable chapter in Welsh football history has now been closed. Knowing the Saints however, there will be no time to dwell and the firm expectation will be to secure the League Cup trophy and the 12-points needed to clinch another league title.
#2 (Last week: 2) CONNAH’S QUAY
D 0-0 v Bala Town (A)
A good battle against Bala – two strong, well organised sides with quality throughout. The Nomads will be satisfied to come away with a draw and pick up yet another clean-sheet. Three-points clear in second-place, I think Connah’s Quay will be quite happy with how things stand going into the business end of the season.
#3 (Last week: 3) BALA TOWN
D 0-0 v Connah’s Quay (H)
Colin Caton tellingly referred to Saturday’s clash with Connah’s Quay as a battle between “the two best non-league sides in Wales” and he won’t have been disappointed with how his team competed against the Nomads. The duel between these two sides looks set to become one of the storylines of the season as we head into Phase 2.
#4 (Last week: 4) CARMARTHEN TOWN
D 0-0 v Cefn Druids (A)
A solid performance from back to front ensured Carmarthen of a well-deserved point and a place in the top-six and it’s hard to disagree with Mark Aizlewood when he labels his side’s league position as a massive overachievement. That said, their work ethic and growing self-belief make them a dangerous outfit right now. On current form they might just cause a stir in among the top-six heavyweights.
#5 (Last week: 6) CARDIFF MET
W 2-0 v Aberystwyth (A)
A comfortable win for the Met puts two off-kilter performances over Christmas behind them and sets them up nicely for their top-six campaign. They should be proud of their achievements this season but the hard work starts in Phase 2.
#6 (Last week: 9) NEWTOWN
D 3-3 v TNS (H)
Lack of character and lack of commitment have been accusations which have been thrown at Newtown at various times this season (not from my myself may I add), but the Robins showed exactly what they are made of in clawing back a draw with two late goals against previously unstoppable TNS. The result will feel like three-points in the dressing room, they really need to kick on now before the pressure is turned up in Phase 2.
#7 (Last week: 7) LLANDUDNO
D 2-2 v Rhyl (A)
It was always going to be difficult for Llandudno to snatch that top-six spot on the remaining and so it proved against Rhyl. Dudno mustn’t dwell on being unable to repeat last season’s feat however and they need to turn their attentions on being the strongest side within that bottom-six pack – something which is definitely within reach, especially if they can get returning marksman Jamie Reed back to his best.
#8 (Last week: 8) CEFN DRUIDS
D 0-0 v Carmarthen (H)
Huw Griffiths’ Druids set themselves up nicely to claim a deserved point against Carmarthen, a combative side who tried to put the hosts on the backfoot from the off with their high-tempo opening. There’s plenty to suggest that Cefn Druids have a strong enough backbone to hold their own in the play-off conference on the evidence of this one.
#9 (Last week: 5) BANGOR CITY
L 4-2 v Airbus (A)
“If the players aren’t going to start giving us more in games, then in this window we’ll have to find players who will.” Strong words indeed from City boss Ian Dawes after his side failed to impress against Airbus, as they failed to defend and became easily overrun in midfield. The departure of key midfielder Brayden Shaw, who returns to Accrington, also creates another hole which requires filling. It seems inevitable that there will be more new faces to arrive at Nantporth.
#10 (Last week 10) RHYL
D 2-2 v Llandudno (A)
It might have been a new-look team for the Lilywhites but it was old boys Alex Jones and Toby Jones who were the key performers, in a game in which Rhyl might just have deserved more than a point. Rhyl are right slap-bang in the middle of that bottom-six clutch of clubs and all the signs suggest to me that they could be about to embark on a decent run of form.
#11 (Last week 12) AIRBUS UK
W 4-2 v Bangor City (H)
Manager Andrew Thomas could barely hide his delight during his post-match interview as he got to enjoy a rare victory. If Airbus can pick up the commanding centre-half which they so badly require, their hopes of avoiding the drop will improve enormously. How Thomas must wish his Wingmakers can deliver on this level on a more consistent basis.
#12 (Last week 11) ABERYSTWYTH TOWN
L 2-0 Cardiff Met (H)
Another poor week for Aberystwyth whose attentions have now swung around completely from targeting a possible top-six place to looking at the clutch of clubs behind them. I’ve written this before but when they’re good they look like they can hold their own against most, when they’re bad, you just start to worry, particularly with that bottom-six looking so finely balanced. Unless they start putting in solid 90-minute performances on a more regular basis, there could be precarious times ahead for one the league’s best-established clubs.