Cymru Premier previews: Bala target only a second league win ever against TNS

JD Cymru Premier fixtures – Saturday, April 10, 2021

Championship Conference
Bala Town v The New Saints (5.15 pm – live on S4C)
Caernarfon Town v Barry Town United (2.30 pm)
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Penybont (2.30 pm)

Play-Off Conference (2.30 pm)
Cefn Druids v Haverfordwest County
Flint Town United v Cardiff Met University

Result – Friday, April 9
Play-Off Conference
Aberystwyth Town 1 Newtown 2

Previews – Saturday

Bala Town’s ace marksman Chris Venables is just three goals short of 200 in the Cymru Premier heading into today’s live TV Championship Conference clash against The New Saints at Maes Tegid (5.15 pm).

Venables, current CPL leading scorer for the 2020-21 season on 19 goals, is aiming to become just the fifth player to hit the 200-mark since the national league was formed in 1992.

The others are: Marc Lloyd Williams 319, Rhys Griffiths 271, Lee Hunt 209 and Mike Wilde 201.

While Venables would no doubt love to arrive at the double ton today, the priority for Bala is three points against opponents they have beaten just once in 37 Welsh Premier meetings.

Saints have won 22 and there have been 14 draws.

The Lakesiders broke their long-standing duck against the Park Hall outfit last season with a 3-1 triumph at Maes Tegid. However, Colin Caton’s third-placed side currently trail TNS in second by eight points.

Champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, three points clear at the summit, will target a flying start to phase two at home to Penybont.

Callum Morris needs just one goal to hit 50 in the Cymru Premier, while two more for Wilde will make it a half-century for him in a Nomads shirt in the top flight.

Caernarfon Town, who were eight unbeaten before last weekend’s defeat at The New Saints, will look to complete a season’s double at The Oval against Barry Town United.

Huw Griffiths’ side beat Gavin Chesterfield’s outfit 2-0 at home back in December.