Barry fired up to topple TNS as league makes a full restart
THIS weekend sees the Cymru Premier League get back to a full fixture list after the coronavirus firebreak.
Barry Town can expect a tough encounter on their return when they visit Park Hall in Oswestry to play current league leaders The New Saints (5.15pm, live on S4C)
Barry are currently fourth in the league standings after playing nine games so far. Gavin Chesterfield’s team have collected 17 points from five wins, two draws and two defeats and will be relatively happy with their current standing.
Their hosts TNS are five points clear at the top of the Cymru Premier and are very keen to regain the title after relinquishing it last season to Connah’s Quay.
Chesterfield should have most of his squad back to fitness and key figures like centre-forward Kayne McLaggon and centre-half Curtis McDonald should be starters at Park Hall.
Ex-Wales international David Cotterill is suspended and Cardiff City loanie Sam Bowen is with Paul Bodin’s Wales U21s for games against Moldova and Germany.
Josh Graham signed recently from Taffs Well could make Barry’s matchday squad for his first time.
It’s a tough comeback game for the Linnets and Chesterfield would be happy to take a point from the league leaders.
Cardiff Met University are in action this evening at Cyncoed (7.45pm) where they host Aberystwyth Town.
The Met have had a difficult start to the new season, winning just two of their first nine league fixtures and one of those victories was an opening-day 3-2 away win at Aber.
Christian Edwards’ students have been particularly unlucky with injuries so far this season, but are near a full squad for tonight’s game.
Emlyn Lewis, their first-choice centre-back, is still out through suspension and will be a big miss against Aberystwyth, who are capable of turning around their home defeat if they find their best form.
Ollie Hulbert, the 19-year-old ex
Bristol Rovers forward got the students’ winner in their last game when they defeated Flint 2-1 in October and he could be key again if the Met are to climb above Aber in the table tonight.
Penybont will restart their campaign at Maes Tegid in Bala tomorrow afternoon.
Rhys Griffiths will be pleased by his side’s efforts and results after their first nine games as they sit in fifth place in the league with 14 points.
Griffiths has found Bala his toughest opponents since Penybont’s promotion two seasons ago, and they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at home against Colin Caton’s team in September.
Bala’s Chris Venables, the league’s current top scorer with 11 goals, scored a brace in that game and Griffiths will be pointing out to his defence how potent his old playing colleague is at this level.
On the road, Penybont have been excellent of late and they will look to add to a three-match winning run including their smart 2-0 success in their last game at Cefn Druids where Kane Owen and Mael Davies were on the scoresheet.
Bala are hoping to challenge for the title and will be looking for a home win, but Griffiths would welcome a point towards his team’s challenge for a top-six finish.