FIGHT TO STAY UP GOES TO LAST DAY
THE battle to beat the drop from the JD Cymru Premier will go down to the final day of the season after the three sides battling to survive all lost yesterday.
Aberystwyth Town went down 2-1 at Barry Town United,
but remain two points above the drop zone after Pontypridd United lost 3-0 against Penybont and bottom side Colwyn Bay’s 3-1 defeat at Haverfordwest County.
Aberystwyth, who have 24 points, host Pontypridd on the final day next Sunday. Colwyn Bay who, like Pontypridd, sit on 22 points; they are at home to Barry and must win to stand any chance of avoiding an immediate return to JD Cymru North.
The Seagulls gave themselves a mountain to climb at Haverfordwest after going 2-0 down inside the opening ten minutes.
Rhys Abbruzzese curled a freekick into the top left-hand corner to put the Bluebirds ahead.
Then, less than two minutes later, Abbruzzese turned provider, floating a free-kick into the box, where Lee Jenkins was there to glance in a header.
Ben Fawcett put the result beyond any doubt when he seized on keeper Reece Trueman’s error to curl home a third. Tom McCready pulled one back for the visitors.
The result also means Haverfordwest need just a point at Penybont to ensure they finish seventh and cement the final play-off spot for Europe.
Tony Pennock side have a three-point advantage over Penybont in the Play-Off Conference.
Meanwhile a goal in each half from Chris Venables helped Penybont to a win over struggling Pontypridd to keep alive their hopes of snatching the play-off place from Haverfordwest.
Gabriel Kircough had earlier given Penybont the lead.
Goals in each half from Sam Snaith and Ollie Hulbert secured all three points for Barry over Aberystwyth. Billy Kirkman had pulled Aber level but Hulbert’s winner denied them.
In the Championship Conference, Newtown thrashed Caernarfon Town 5-0 at Latham Park to move up two places into fourth as they look to secure home advantage in the play-offs.
Aaron Williams put the Robins ahead at the break. Williams scored his second after the restart before further goals from George Hughes, Zeli Ismael via the penalty spot, and Louis Robles wrapped up a memorable afternoon for Scott Ruscoe’s side.
The New Saints are now one game from going the entire league campaign undefeated. Declan McManus found the net in each half for TNS on their way to a 5-0 win at Cardiff Met yesterday. Dan Williams, Jared Harlock and Leo Smith also found the net.