Aberystwyth Town have been boosted by the signing of veteran defender Phil Baker ahead of tonight’s crucial game against Rhyl.
Baker, an eight-time WPL winner, joins on loan until the end of the season and the Black and Greens will be hoping his experience and leadership will help lift the club away from the relegation zone.
Aberystwyth sit immediately above the bottom-two in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League’s Play-Off Conference and a defeat to Rhyl tonight would see Matthew Bishop’s side slide into the drop zone.
Baker, 34, becomes the second established WPL player to arrive at Aberystwyth on loan in recent weeks following the signing of striker Mark Jones from Carmarthen, as Matthew Bishop strengthens his squad for a crucial final run in.
Such is the bottom-six Aberystwyth are not only looking over their shoulder at the lingering threat of relegation, they can still push for a possible play-off place with only four points separating them from seventh-place.
Baker’s parent club The New Saints could possibly seal the league title this weekend if second-placed Bala Town drop points against gap Connah’s Quay.
TNS would then require a victory in a repeat of last weekend’s closely fought Welsh Cup tie with Bangor City, in front of the live TV cameras on Saturday on a weekend in which the top-four all play each other.
Bangor forced extra-time and led with ten-men in extra-time until Greg Draper and Adrian Cieslewicz lifted TNS to a hard-fought win.
Fourth-placed Bangor are looking to close the gap on the sides above them with the Citizens intent on European qualification.
Bala Town currently hold the advantage in that race for the remaining automatic European spot. On Saturday, they entertain Gap Connah’s Quay with a six-point advantage already intact over the Nomads, who sit third in the table but with a game in hand.
Although certain of their place in the end of season play-offs, Cardiff Met are looking for their first points in Phase 2 after three successive defeats since the league split host Carmarthen Town.
Llandudno continue to occupy seventh-place as they look to hang on the only unconfirmed play-off place. Cefn Druids, who’ve grown in confidence and as the season has progressed, make a Friday night visit to The Giant Hospitality Stadium.
A turnaround in form has seen Newtown go from relegation candidates to play-off hopefuls in recent weeks. The Robins are on a five-game unbeaten stretch backed up the three straight wins since the league split. They will be confident of extending that run against Airbus, who’re deep in relegation mire, 10-points adrift from safety.
NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS
The FAW have confirmed at Bangor City and Rhyl as venues for the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals. There had been some debate as to whether the games should be held on grass or artificial surfaces prior to the announcement but both games will be played on grass pitches.
Bangor City will host the semi-final between gap Connah’s Quay and TNS. Caernarfon Town and Bala Town will be played at Rhyl FC in front of the live TV cameras. Both ties will be played on April 1st.
Connah’s Quay also announced this week that their Under-14 academy product Levent Gundogan has signed a full-time contract with Manchester United. Rhyl-born Gundogan is believed to have caught United’s attentions after scoring four goals against them in a recent game.
“He’s a very gifted player who is comfortable up front or in attacking midfield” said the Nomads in a statement. “Levent’s attitude and commitment to training and the club have been first-class and we wish him all the best during his time at Manchester United.”
Impressively, Gundogan becomes the 29th Connah’s Quay academy player to have been signed by a professional club in the last seven years.
Rhyl have been handed a double injury boost in their bid to avoid relegation with the news that defender Michael Sharples and midfielder James Bell are both close to returning for the Lilywhites.
Weekend Dafabet Welsh Premier League fixtures:
Championship Conference: Bala Town v gap Connah’s Quay (Fri), Cardiff Met v Carmarthen (Sat), TNS v Bangor City (Sat).
Play-Off Conference: Llandudno v Cefn Druids (Fri), Newtown v Airbus (Sat), Rhyl v Aberystwyth (Fri).
