CYMRU PREMIER: Nomads beat champions, while Caernarfon edge victory at Bala

JD CYMRU PREMIER REPORTS – DECEMBER 31, 2025

Connah’s Quay Nomads 3 The New Saints 1

A tremendous individual goal from Callum West clinched a famous victory over the champions and sealed a magnificent seventh straight league win for Nomads which edged them to within four points of leaders Saints.

Fresh life was injected into the 2025-26 title race on the final day of the year which saw Connah’s Quay also stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 12 matches.

The home side took a ninth-minute lead when Rhys Hughes converted a penalty harshly awarded against Jordan Marshall for a challenge on Harry Franklin.

Hughes had another chance on 19 when his shot was blocked by Ben Clark after superb link play between West and Franklin.

A second home goal arrived in the 41st minute when Noah Edwards crossed from the left and Max Woodcock volleyed in from close range.

Saints should have pulled one back before the break but Rory Holden could only head wide from close range.

The visitors were much improved after the break and halved the deficit on 56 when Jordan Williams latched onto a ball from midfield and slotted past keeper Kit Margetson.

Ryan Brobbel was denied by a brilliant Margetson save from a free kick, while other efforts flew off target from the leaders.

Nomads struck a killer blow on 81 when West stole the ball in midfield, ran into the box, ‘sat down’ Danny Davies and keeper Nathan Shepperd and slotted into the empty net for a stupendous solo goal.

Saints kept pressing, Williams’ 40-yarder coming back off the bar late on, but Nomads ran out worthy winners,

Bala Town 0 Caernarfon Town 1

Caernarfon banked a welcome first league win in six attempts thanks to a first-half goal from midfielder Daniel Gosset at Maes Tegid.

Richard Davies’ side recorded a fifth straight league victory over third-from-bottom Bala and made it 10 Cymru Premier matches undefeated against the Lakesiders.

The fourth-placed Canaries created most of the first half opportunities, Dom Smith skewing his header off target when well-placed from a Sion Bradley free kick.

Another Bradley delivery picked out Ryan Sears at the back post, but the big defender nodded wide.

The game’s only goal arrived in the 43rd minute direct from a counter-attack.

From a promising situation, Bala’s John Owen fed a poor low cross into the box which defender Smith received and advanced to the wing before lofting the ball down the right.

Adam Davies played a smart-back heel to Paulo Mendes, who released Bradley and although his shot was kept out by Joel Torrance, Gosset was on alert to net the rebound.

Bala thought they had a case for a penalty just before the interval, but the referee waved play on.

Bradley lashed over the bar after Mendes found him with a pass before Bala threatened twice from set-pieces, Will Bell seeing a shot cleared off the goal-line by Phl Mooney before another strike was blocked.

Caernarfon should have done better when Bradley’s intelligent pass found Josh Lock free on the left of the box, but the on-loan winger miskicked badly when a goal looked very much on.

Briton Ferry Llansawel 2 Barry Town United 1