BAY BEAT PONTYPRIDD TO EARN LIFELINE
COLWYN Bay earned themselves a lifeline in their bid to beat the drop from the JD Cymru Premier after defeating Pontypridd United 1-0 in their basement battle.
Harry Owen netted the decisive goal from close range 18 minutes into the contest.
This was the Seagulls’ first win in six matches and the result lifts them off the foot of the table above Pontypridd and just a point from safety with two games to play.
“We’re at the stage of the season where we’ve got no room for error,” said assistant boss Steve Giblin.
“I felt the lads matched Pontypridd in every area of the pitch and fortunately Harry was in the right place at the right time to get the goal.”
It’s now back-to-back defeats for Pontypridd, whose troubled campaign received a further blow week they were refused a Tier 1 licence for next season. Unless Pontypridd lodge a successful appeal they will be relegated, irrespective of their final league position. The club have already been docked nine points this season for rule breaches.
Aberystwyth Town are one point above the drop zone after going down 3-0 at home against Penybont. Ryan Reynolds put the visitors ahead before Chris Venables’ second-half brace secured the spoils for Penybont.
There was another late show from Haverfordwest County, who remain on course to secure a European play-off spot after coming from behind to beat Barry Town United 2-1.
In the Championship Conference, Bala Town are assured of European football again after a 1-1 draw at home against Newtown secured their top-three place. Skipper Kieran Smith put Bala ahead on 17 minutes before Louis Robles levelled from the spot just before the break.
Connah’s Quay Nomads look set to finish second after a 3-0 victory at Cardiff Met.
Champions The New Saints remain on course to finish the league season unbeaten after thrashing Caernarfon Town 7-1 at Park Hall. TNS were 4-0 up after 22 minutes thanks to efforts from Declan Mcmanus, Ben Clark, Adrian Cieslewicz and Danny Redmond.
Cieslewicz headed his second two minutes after the break before Mcmanus smashed home a penalty to make it 6-0. Louis Lloyd pulled one back for Caernarfon but the scoring was completed by Blaine Hudson, who netted a seventh for TNS in added time.