Stakes are high as top two look to take Cymru Premier title
WILL the team that wants to win the JD Cymru Premier please stand up! With the top two title-chasers both dropping points in one of the most dramatic weeks in the recent history of the tournament, the outcome of the game at Deeside Stadium in the re-match between reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads and The New Saints, in second, will have a cup final feel about it tonight (5.15pm).
A week ago, the Nomads went to Park Hall and stunned TNS by winning 4-1. That gave them an advantage that was further enhanced when Caernarfon Town went to TNS three days later and bagged a 0-0 draw with nine men.
Over to the Nomads on Wednesday night. A tough trip to Bala Town, who are in third place, could have seen them move five points clear at the top, but instead they went down 2-1 against 10 men.
It means Andy Morrison’s side will go into their return game against TNS with a mere two-point lead as the season comes down to its final four fixtures. The stakes couldn’t be higher and the nerves couldn’t be more on edge.
“I’ve spoken to the players about Wednesday night and got some feedback from them. There were a lot of disappointed players in the dressing room after the defeat,” admitted Nomads manager Morrison.
“We have to put that game to bed and move on.”
An own goal came from defender George Horan after 18 minutes and then Henry Jones made it 2-0 to the home side in the 72nd minute. A penalty from Callum Morris with 10 minutes to go gave the Nomads hope, especially as he hit the back of the net moments after Nathan Peate was sent off for Bala.
That gave the champions a shot at salvaging a point and they came very close. Jamie Insall’s last-gasp shot rattled against the crossbar and went to safety and now there is no margin for error against TNS.
Anthony Limbrick will have been a very relieved man when he saw the result from Maes Tegid, although he knows his season ends with a home clash against bubbling Bala. Maybe lightning could strike twice to provide a final twist in the tale of an amazing season.
“It was certainly two points dropped by us against Caernarfon.
We dominated the game, had the ball in the back of the net twice and missed a penalty – it was that sort of night,” said the TNS boss.
“But we will keep fighting right to the end and we certainly want to make up for last week’s defeat when we go to the Deeside Stadium this weekend. More than anything we want to keep the title race in our own hands and we owe it to everyone connected to the club to go there and get a result.”
Bala head south to Barry Town United looking to build on their stunning midweek win, while Rhys Griffiths takes his Penybont side up to Caernarfon for the other game in the Championship Conference.
Play-Off Conference leaders Newtown headed to bottom side Cefn Druids last night full of confidence after their fine run of recent form and should be able to at least hold onto their three-point lead at the top. Cardiff Met also hosted Aberystwyth Town in a battle for third place.
Second-placed Haverfordwest County will be hoping to arrest an alarming run that has seen them lose a nine-point lead at the top with three defeats and a draw in their last four games when they travel to Flint Town United today.