WELSH PREM SOCCER

THREE into two won’t go so one club is going to miss out on playing in the Championship Conference when the JD Cymru Premier League splits in two after this week’s final fixture in Phase One.

Reigning champion Connah’s Quay Nomads, The New Saints, Bala Town and Barry Town United are already safe in the top six, but Penybont, Caernarfon Town and Haverfordwest County have one game to go to try to secure their place in the top tier.

And to add extra spice to the last round battle, fifth placed Penybont host seventh placed Haverfordwest this weekend. The Bluebirds will head to Bridgend full of confidence on the back of a 3-0 win at Newtown.

Penybont, meanwhile, could only pick up a point in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Aberystwyth. A goal from Mael Davies in the 59th minute wiped out Harry Franklin’s 33rd minute strike for the home team.

Haverfordwest not only have to win on Friday, but also turn around a six goal difference to overtake Penybont.

Also in the sights of the Pembrokeshire will be sixth placed Caernarfon Town, who are also three points ahead, but are two goals worse off than the Bluebirds.

A 3-2 home win over struggling Cardiff Met was a big boost for the Cofis, although losing Gareth Edwards to a second half sending off for a second bookable offence was a blow. Jack Kenny gave the home side a 12th minute lead at The Oval as he danced around the keeper to score before a Mike Hayes penalty made it 2-0 just before the hour mark.

The students hit back with a Harry Owen goal, laid on a plate for him by Lewis Rees, to make it interesting, but Wrexham loanee Jake Bickerstaff was then given a simple tap in by great work down the left by Hayes and the 10 man home team were 3-1 to the good.

TNS went into overdrive once again to make it 11 goals in their last two games as they hit Flint Town United for six.

Adrian Cieslewicz had a hat-trick of assists and scored the penultimate goal as his side closed the gap on league leaders Connah’s Quay to three points.

The visitors were four goals to the good within 16 minutes as Ben Clark, Ryan Astles and Louis Robles (2) all struck the back of the home net.

Barry Town United also scored six in their 6-2 home triumph over Bala Town, who lie in third spot.