CYMRU PREMIER: Nomads’ long unbeaten run is over, Bala in bother, Llanelli down

JD CYMRU PREMIER – TABLES AND REPORTS FOR FEB 20 AND 21

Many thanks to faw.cymru for their kind assistance

Saturday, February 21

CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE

Barry Town United 1 Connah’s Quay Nomads 0

Second-place Nomads saw their 17-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Barry at Jenner Park on Saturday.

The decisive moment arrived with 90 minutes on the clock as Mikey George’s cross from the right hand side found an unmarked Ollie Hulbert, who headed home from inside the six-yard box.

The Nomads host TNS in their next league fixture, with the Saints able to secure the JD Cymru Premier title if they take all three points.

Colwyn Bay 3 Penybont 1

Bay climbed up to fourth in the table with victory over Penybont at the Blue Turtle Arena.

Louis Robles came close to giving the Seagulls the lead when his looping header from Ethan Roberts’ cross struck the crossbar, but the hosts did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough as Penybont goalkeeper Luke Armstrong punched George Hughes’ corner into his own net in the 34th minute.

Ryan Astles thought he had doubled Bay’s advantage shortly before half-time when firing in from Robles’ lay-off, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Bont equalised eight minutes into the second period as half-time substitute Noah Daley retrieved the loose ball from Clayton Green’s scuffed effort and fired into the far corner from close range.

However, Bay were back in front just two minutes later as Astles prodded in from Hughes’ corner for his second goal in as many games since joining the club.

Bont’s hopes of finding another equaliser were dashed when defender Nathaniel Williams was shown a straight red card for his late challenge on Robles.

Bay talisman Jordan Davies came off the bench and fired into the roof of the net from close range on 86 minutes to wrap up his side’s first home win since November – also against Penybont.

PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE

Briton Ferry Llansawel 2 Bala Town 1

Bala remain deep in the relegation mire after a narrow defeat in South Wales.

Ferry took the lead in the 55th minute as Kian Jenkins’ cross ricocheted around in the area before falling to Tom Walters, who unleashed a powerful volley and found the roof of the net.

Ollie Anderson added a second goal the hosts just 12 minutes later when he slid in to meet Walters’ header back across the six-yard box and tapped home from close range.

Bala substitute Connor Evans gave the Lakesiders a late lifeline when he knocked in from Nelson Digbeu’s header down towards the back post, but Ferry held on to secure all three points.

Flint Town United 1 Cardiff Met 1

Jake Canavan scored a stoppage time equaliser to salvage a point for 10th-place Flint in a 1-1 draw with Cardiff Met at the Essity Stadium.

Both sides had their fair share of chances in the first half, with Flint forward Darren Stephenson going closest as his header from Sidi Fofana’s cross was denied by the crossbar.

Met took the lead in the 70th minute thanks to Matt Chubb, who tucked away the rebound from Ryan Reynolds’ saved free-kick.

However, there was late drama as Canavan’s strike from the edge of the area deflected off CJ Craven and found a way past Ewan Griffiths in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Lee Fowler’s side remain unbeaten in Phase Two so far, while Met drop down to ninth in the table.

Friday, February 20

CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE

The New Saints 2 Caernarfon Town 1

Caernarton pushed the leaders and champions all the way at Park Hall on Friday night, but the Canaries could not quite salvage the point their efforts deserved.

The New Saints took a step closer to the JD Cymru Premier title with a 2-1 victory.

Caernarfon thought they had scored inside the opening minute when Rio Owen slotted home from Darren Thomas’ low cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

TNS took the lead in the 10th minute when Brad Young’s headed clearance from Ben Clark’s cross fell kindly for captain Danny Redmond, who clinically volleyed into the bottom corner.

Ex-Saints frontman Young opened his account for the Cofis against his former club when he fired in from Ryan Sears’ low ball to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

However, the hosts restored their advantage shortly before the hour mark as an unmarked Ben Wilson headed home from Redmond’s cross at the back post.

Caernarfon nearly levelled once more through Danny Gosset, but his curling strike rattled the crossbar.

TNS saw out the closing stages to earn their sixth straight league victory.

PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE

Llanelli Town 0 Haverfordwest County 1

Llanelli were relegated from the JD Cymru Premier after losing 1-0 to Haverfordwest at Stebonheath on Friday night.

Dan Hawkins scored the only goal in the 27th minute.