Football

Big dates in Europe for North Wales-based Cymru Premier clubs

Caernarfon Town will fly the Welsh flag in Belfast on Wednesday night. Picture: CAERNARFON TOWN FC X/TWITTER

With The New Saints safely through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after sealing a 4-1 aggregate win over FK Dečić of Montenegro on Tuesday, it is now the turn of three other Cymru Premier clubs to attempt progression in the UEFA Conference League this week.

Cymru Premier champions Saints will face Ferencváros of Hungary in the second qualifying round.

If TNS win one more qualifying tie this season they’ll be the first Welsh club to make it to a European Group/League stage.

Meanwhile, Bala Town, Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads all have a decent chance of making it through to the second qualifying round of the Conference League this week.

More success for the Welsh clubs will boost the country’s coefficient and go a long way towards securing that coveted top 50 spot which will seal a fourth Euro berth in 2026-27.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, July 17

Crusaders (0) v Caernarfon Town (2)
at Seaview, 7.45 pm

Thursday, July 18

Paide Linnameeskond (2) v Bala Town (1)
at Pärnu Rannastaadion, 5.30 pm

Connah’s Quay Nomads (1) v NK Bravo (0)
at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor, 6.30 pm

Crusaders (0) Caernarfon Town (2)

Caernarfon Town face their first European away day as they travel to Seaview in Northern Ireland for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie against Crusaders tonight (Wednesday, KO 7:45pm BST).

The first leg at Nantporth could not have gone much better for the Cofis, as Morgan Owen opened the scoring with a superb strike after just four minutes before Zack Clarke doubled the lead before half-time in a 2-0 win.

Crusaders were swiftly back in action following their first leg defeat in Wales, with Declan Caddell’s side boosting their confidence with a 4-1 victory in a friendly against fellow Northern Irish side Comber Rec on Saturday.

Paide Linnameeskond (2) Bala Town (1)

Bala must come from behind if they are to progress in the UEFA Conference League, after the Lakesiders were beaten 2-1 by Paide Linnameeskond in the first leg of their tie at Park Hall.

The visitors led 2-0 in Oswestry, but a 95th-minute penalty from Joshua Ukek gave Colin Caton’s side a lifeline ahead of their trip to Estonia. Kick-off is 5:30pm BST at Pärnu Rannastaadion.

Bala’s last two wins (in 90 minutes) in Europe have come away from home – against Valletta and Sligo Rovers – so they will hope to turn the tie around.

Connah’s Quay Nomads (1) NK Bravo (0)

Neil Gibson’s Nomads are the only JD Cymru Premier side playing on Welsh soil in the second leg as they host NK Bravo at Nantporth on Thursday (KO 6:30pm BST).

Summer signing Ben Maher came off the bench to score an 83rd-minute goal to earn the Deesidera potentially crucial 1-0 win in Slovenia last week.

The Nomads will now aim to progress from a European tie for the first time since 2019 when they famously defeated Scottish side Kilmarnock.

davenwsport

Recent Posts

Welsh Cup: Veteran Lloyd is hat-trick hero for Llanrug, NFA dumped out by lower-tier opponents

Mochdre Sports' Adam Hold (hoops) takes on the NFA defenders. Pictures: MATT JOHNSON FAW WELSH…

5 hours ago

30 more transfers covering Tiers 3, 4 and 5 of the North Wales pyramid

Dave Maddock has joined Llandudno Swifts for the 2025-26 season Many thanks to all clubs…

6 hours ago

Can Wrexham make more UEFA Women’s Champions League history against Riga?

Lili Mai Jones (left) and Faye Knox celebrate after Wrexham's historic win over FC Pyunik.…

15 hours ago

Llandrindod Wells withdraw from the Ardal North East League

Llandrindod Wells (blue) in action against Dolgellau in the Ardal North East last season. Photo:…

17 hours ago

North Wales senior cricket fixtures – Saturday, July 25, 2026

Can Colwyn Bay return to winning ways in the Liverpool Competition First Division on Saturday?…

20 hours ago

They’re off: First official weekend of North Wales senior football begins with the Welsh Cup

Can Llangefni Town (blue) overcome the challenge of Acton FC at Cae Bob Parry? Picture:…

20 hours ago