Welsh clubs send out a dire warning

JD Cymru Premier League clubs have told the Football Association of Wales that they cannot continue to play without crowds.

With most sides haemorrhaging money, with costs of around £3,000 per game, playing two matches a week without any gate income means many of the top 12 sides fear they won’t make it past Christmas.

The top four teams, buoyed by money from Europe, are able to survive and the difference between the ‘haves and have nots’ was exemplified by the 10-0 thrashing handed out by The New Saints to Flint Town United.

“We were promised fans after three weeks, but that hasn’t happened. If the FAW can’t find some financial support for us we won’t get to game 22 this season,” said Newtown’s financial director Barry Gardner. “We’ve had a huge drop in matchday income and our players have taken a pay cut for home games. But we can only ask them to do that for so long.”

Greg Draper became The New Saints’ all-time record league scorer as he hammered home five goals. He scored twice before the break and added three more in the second half. Other goals came from Ryan Harrington, Louis Robles and Kwame Boateng, while Jon Routledge added a brace.

Reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads scored five on the road as they won comfortably at

Cefn Druids, with Callum Morris grabbing a hat-trick and Michael Wilde getting two .

Barry Town United won 2-1 at Aberystwyth. Steff Davies gave the hosts the lead and Barry were reduced to 10 men when Clayton Green was sent off. They levelled through Kayne Mclaggon before Jordan Cotterill scored in the 70th minute.

Penybont moved into fifth with a 2-1 home win over Newtown thanks to goals from Mael Davies and Sam Snaith. Haverfordwest won 2-1 at Bala. Goals came from Jack Williams and Jack Wilson.

Caernarfon Town won 3-0 at Cardiff Met with goals from Sion Bradley, Darren Thomas and Cai Jones.