JD Cymru Premier: Flint stay up, Bala go down, Caernarfon grab fourth spot

JD CYMRU PREMIER – FINAL DAY OF 2025-26 SEASON

Play-Off Conference

Cardiff Met 2 Flint Town United 2

With Bala Town losing, Flint would have stayed up without the draw they achieved at Cardiff Met, but they were not to know that at the time and Steve Evans and Lee Fowler’s men produced a lionheart performance to grab a point at Cyncoed.

The Silkmen found an early breakthrough as Met goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths picked the ball up when receiving Tom Raison’s pass back, resulting in an indirect free-kick, which Jake Canavan slotted into the bottom corner.

Osebi Abadaki nearly doubled the advantage, but his lob was tremendously cleared off the line by Joel Edwards. 

A frantic final 20 minutes in the capital began with Jake Morris bringing Met level with his close-range header. 

Flint restored their lead in the 77th minute as Ben Hughes fired home from Harry Owen’s lay-off, but the Archers immediately found an equaliser as CJ Craven’s free-kick took a wicked deflection and wrongfooted Jack Flint.

Craven’s goal had sent Flint into the relegation zone, but Ferry’s comeback at Bala settled the Silkmen’s nerves. 

Owen and Hughes were both shown straight red cards for bringing down Jasper Payne and Fumpa Mwandwe respectively when both men were on the counter-attack, but the visitors held on to earn a point and maintain their top-flight status. 

Bala Town 1 Briton Ferry Llansawel 2

Bala were relegated from the JD Cymru Premier in dramatic fashion after they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel at Maes Tegid. 

The Lakesiders had to win to have any chance of survival and things were looking promising when Jacob Tarasenko, who had already missed two glorious opportunities from close range, fired the ball home from Tom Kelly’s corner to put the hosts ahead after 73 minutes played. 

With 10th-place Flint Town United drawing away to Cardiff Met, Bala were set to pull off the great escape as things stood in the 89th minute, but a late collapse resulted in heartbreak for Steve Fisher’s side.   

18-year-old Ricky-Lee Owen brought Briton Ferry level as his header from Corey Hurford’s corner crept past Joel Torrance and into the net at the near post to make it one apiece. 

The visitors completed their turnaround just a minute later as Torrance saved Keiran Williams’ low drive, but cleared the ball straight to Sam Snaith, who had the simple task of slotting home from close range. Bala were unable to find two late goals, bringing an end to their 17-year stay in the JD Cymru Premier. 

Haverfordwest County 6 Llanelli Town 0

Championship Conference

Caernarfon Town 2 Penybont 0

Welsh Cup winners Caernarfon Town clinched a joint all-time highest fourth place in the top flight for the fourth time since they joined the league 30 years ago.

Town ended their impressive season with three points as first half goals from Adrian Cieslewicz and Rio Owen secured a 2-0 win over Penybont at the Go Goodwins Stadium. 

Cieslewicz, who scored in Caernarfon’s memorable JD Welsh Cup Final win over Flint Town United last weekend, put the Cofis ahead in the eighth minute as he latched onto a long diagonal ball, held off Jacob Jones and sent a deft lob over Luke Armstrong. 

Ex-Wrexham winger Cieslewicz was involved once more as his effort was saved by Armstrong, but straight into the path of Owen, who tapped home the rebound to double the advantage. 

Bont’s afternoon went from bad to worse in the closing stages as Ash Baker was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Darren Thomas. Baker will now miss Bont’s European Play-Off Semi-Final away to Colwyn Bay.

Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 Colwyn Bay 1

Nomads took the lead with 35 minutes on the clock as Ethan Roberts’ foul on Harry Franklin inside the area allowed Callum West to step up and calmly convert his ninth league goal of the season. 

However, Bay were level five minutes later with a penalty of their own as Jamie Cumming fired into the bottom corner from the spot following Max Woodcock’s challenge on Roberts. 

The Seagulls enjoyed the better opportunities in the second half, but Nathan Peate and Issa Kargbo were both denied by diving saves from Kit Margetson, who marked the final game of his loan spell with the Nomads with an impressive display.

Bay now look ahead to their European Play-Off Semi-Final at home against Penybont next Saturday, 25 April (12:45pm KO). 

Barry Town United 0 The New Saints 1