Key games across pyramid: Cofis can clinch top six Welsh Premier place with win, Welsh Alliance leading pair clash

Saturday, January 4

Cymru Premier (2.30 pm)
Penybont v Caernarfon Town

Caernarfon travel to next-bottom Penybont tomorrow knowing a win will guarantee them a top-six place and Cymru Premier football for a third successive season.
Back-to-back losses against Bala over the Christmas and New Year period dropped the Canaries down to fifth, but three more points will make certain of a Championship Conference berth in phase two of the campaign.
Even a point at the Kymco Stadium should prove sufficient for the Cofis, who are in a strong position as a victory in any of their remaining three first phase matches will seal an upper-half finish.
Midfielder Leo Smith begins a three-match ban tomorrow, while club captain Nathan Craig is out for at least a fortnight after suffering concussion in the 3-0 defeat at Bala on Monday.
He was given a neck brace at the ground due to precautionary measures but a scan has revealed that he has not suffered any neck and back problems.
Jamie Crowther has resumed light training following a lengthy injury lay-off, while midfield man Noah Edwards’ recovery from a spell on the sidelines is progressing well.
Town enjoyed a narrow 3-2 win over Penybont at The Oval back in September.

Cymru North (2.30 pm)
Porthmadog v Flint Town United

Third-from-bottom Porthmadog entertain second-from-top Flint at Y Traeth on Saturday.
Port have already lost twice to the Silkmen on their travels this season, 5-1 in the Nathaniel MG Cup and 3-1 in the league.
Craig Papirnyk’s side lost their last outing 1-0 at Bangor City and before that crashed out of the Welsh Cup 6-1 at Penybont, a previous game in South Wales having been abandoned in extra time due to a serious injury with the score 2-2.
On the transfer front, Port’s top-scorer for the reserves last season and first-team squad member this term, Sion Parry, has moved to Bangor 1876, while Flint have signed experienced midfielder Jordan Barrow, who awaits international clearance.

Flint’s Kyle Smyth has resumed training, and has an outside chance of making the squad whilst Andy Brown and Danny Andrews, who both missed last Saturday’s game through illness, should be well enough to return.
Brandon Burrows, who made his comeback from injury last weekend, picked up a booking which takes him over the threshold, and so he will have to sit this one out as he is suspended.
Porthmadog’s Iwan Lewis is also currently serving a suspension following a sending off, and will also miss out.

Welsh Alliance Division One (2 pm)
Denbigh Town v Holyhead Hotspur

This one needs no building up.
Holyhead – eight points clear at the summit – visit second-place Denbigh, who have a game in hand.
It is certainly a match Town cannot afford to lose. Dewi Llion’s side have won seven of their previous eight games and amassed 33 goals in their last six outings.
Up front, Jake Walker and Mark Roberts are in scintillating form, but Hotspur also have deadly finishers in the shape of Robert Jones, Chris Jones and the recently re-signed Asa Thomas.
There is some doubt over this one with a pitch inspection at Central Park planned for Saturday morning. Stay in touch with both clubs’ social media for the latest news.

Welsh National League Premier Division (2 pm)
Brymbo v Rhostyllen

Good contest in store at The Crick as the fifth-placed Steelmen welcome the current Premier Division leaders.
Brymbo’s form before Christmas went off the boil and they will be hoping for improvement at the start of 2020. The club has made a few signings in the January transfer window, aiming to freshen up the ranks.
Rhostyllen have re-signed Aaron Edwards from Gresford Athletic to boost their goals potential.

Gwynedd League (2 pm)
Menai Bridge Tigers v Llangoed

Cracking island derby on the cards between two teams having good seasons and occupying top five places.
The pair shared a 1-1 draw at the start of the campaign – and it could be another close one.
Tigers were thrashed at Nefyn last time out, but they have taken action by drafting in a number of new signings in the January window.

Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division (2 pm)
Rhuddlan Town v Llansannan

Is it just me, or do some teams seem to play each other every week?
Saturday’s game between Rhuddlan and Llansannan is due to take place at Rhydwen Drive, Rhyl.
Top-of-the-table Rhuddlan are unbeaten in nine while Llansannan are fourth and six points behind with a game in hand.
This will be the third meeting between these two this season (not that often then), the first encounter in the league at Llansannan ending 2-2 back in August.
Last month saw Tom Lewis’ men whip Town 5-1 at home in the Premier Cup.

Anglesey League (2 pm)
Y Fali v Mountain Rangers

It’s fourth versus third as Rangers put their season-long unbeaten record on the line at Cae Mwd.
Alex Philp’s side have the tightest defence in the league within their stats of eight wins and two draws.
Both teams have been starved of action due to postponements and pull-outs from opponents, so would dearly love to get some action under their belts this weekend.