Battling Newtown delighted with run

IN January, Newtown were struggling in the relegation area, but since the league split in two, the Robins have reeled off five wins on the trot.

They are now in seventh spot, which would guarantee them a European play-off spot.

It is a remarkable turnaround and tomorrow’s televised encounter with Llandudno (3pm), who are their main rivals for possible European glory, is crucial for both teams.

Llandudno would leapfrog the Latham Park side with a win, but defeat would see them five points adrift with only four games to play.

Newtown boss Chris Hughes is thrilled with his players’ character, saying: “I am so pleased with the way the players have performed recently and the wins we have put together.

“It would have been easy for them to drop their heads after such a poor start, but they never did.”

He added: “Now we have come through that bad period we have to keep performing and winning and Llandudno will be a huge challenge.

“I always said that our aim was to avoid ending in the bottom two and that anything else would be a bonus.”

While the Robins have been flying, their visitors have gathered just seven points from their last six matches.

This, surely, is last-chance saloon for the Seasiders if their European dream is to flourish for the second successive season.

Llandudno are boosted by the loan signing of Robbie Parry from TNS, but they will have to thwart the threat of the league’s top scorer, Jason Orwell, who has raised his arms in triumph 16 times this season.

Airbus are in a desperate situation and their relegation could be confirmed today if both Cefn Druids and today’s opponents Aberystwyth record wins.

It has been an alarming drop in fortunes for the Wingmakers, who have enjoyed domestic and European success in recent years.

Champions The New Saints should continue their winning ways at Cardiff Met, who have yet to win in the second phase and look set to end in sixth place.

Europa League contenders Connah’s Quay, who won for the first time in five matches last week at home to the students, need to win at Carmarthen to keep their hope alive.