By Paul Jones
Bank Holiday Monday sees another round of matches in the JD Cymru Premier, capped by top-of-the-table Cardiff Met hosting Haverfordwest County in a battle between two of the unbeaten sides.
While reigning champions The New Saints concentrate on European action the rest of the teams in the league are trying to build up a lead to put pressure on them when they return to domestic matters.
Four clubs currently remain unbeaten, three of them tied at the top on seven points.
Cardiff Met’s 5-1 win at Briton Ferry Llansawel enabled them to go top on goal difference after Haverfordwest County’s winning start was halted by Penybont in a goalless draw.
Missed the game on Friday? Here’s a recap as we continue our @CymruLeagues campaign v @HaverfordwestFC tomorrow at Cyncoed. Get your tickets here: https://t.co/PfyvHmXXIe pic.twitter.com/akeLjnswPk
— Cardiff Met Uni FC (@CardiffMetFC) August 25, 2024
Ryan Reynolds and Matthew Chubb gave the Archers a handy 2-0 interval lead before Lewis Rees added another on the hour mark.
Chris Craven made it 4-0 10 minutes later before Tom Price provided the newly promoted Ferrymen with some consolation with their first top-tier goal since gaining promotion.
There was little time for celebration, though, as Jake Morris added a fifth goal for the visitors in the 93rd minute to take them clear of Bala Town and Haverfordwest County at the top.
https://twitter.com/CymruLeagues/status/1827790000156447130
Caernarfon Town welcome Bala Town in one of two north Wales derbies – Connah’s Quay Nomads travel to Flint Town United for the other one – while Barry Town United meet Newtown at Jenner Park and Penybont host Aberystwyth Town.
Bala had a George Newell brace to thank for their 2-0 home win over Flint Town United, the other newly promoted side.
Like Briton Ferry Llansawel they have yet to win since returning to the top-flight and are anchored to the bottom of the table with their fellow newcomers.
Tony Pennock’s Haverfordwest County side had started with a bang by picking up maximum points in their opening two games with wins on the road at Connah’s Quay Nomads and Caernarfon Town.
https://twitter.com/CymruLeagues/status/1827993112062329091
But back on their own turf for the first time this season they could only manage a goalless draw against Penybont, who pipped them for first place in the Play Off Conference last season on the final day of the campaign.
Caernarfon Town picked up their first league win with a 4-0 win at Newtown, where they had come through on penalties in a Nathaniel MG Cup tie earlier in the season.
Phil Mooney got things going for the Cofis with a goal after only six minutes and Adam Davies added the second in the 69th.
Zach Clarke made it 3-0 just before the end of normal time and then Shane Sutton completed a thoroughly miserable night for the Robins as he put through his own goal in added time.
Jonathan Evans was the matchwinner for Aberystwyth Town as he plundered the only goal of the game I his side’s 1-0 home win over Barry Town United to move up to sixth in the table.
https://twitter.com/sgorio/status/1827086224344977429
