Connah’s Quay and The New Saints will both be looking to extend their lead at the top of the JD Welsh Premier League tonight after turning their attentions to the Irn-Bru Cup on the weekend.
They are among four clubs level on points at the top of the table but have a game in-hand following mixed results against Scottish opponents.
Saints, who top the WPL table on goal difference, host Aberystwyth while Connah’s Quay entertain Caernarfon Town.
On Saturday, not even a last-gasp equaliser could save The New Saints as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Queens Park.
In a dramatic finale at Park Hall, the Glaswegian club equalised in the 89th-minute before going ahead in added time. With the game seemingly beyond The New Saints, Joash Nembhard – starting his first game for the club – found the net five minutes into additional time to snatch a draw for the Welsh side and take the game to penalties.
After Jamie Mullan and Ryan Brobbel failed to convert their respective spot-kicks, Josh Peters converted to send Queens Park into the third round draw.
Former Saint Michael Wilde was on target as Connah’s Quay impressively saw off Falkirk.
The Nomads were underdogs against a side with a reported five-times bigger budget, but the veteran striker’s header early into the second half proved decisive.
Andy Morrison described his team’s performance as a great day for Welsh football: “I think it’s fantastic for the league that our teams are coming away, not at home, we’ve been unfortunate with two away ties against Scottish Championship teams, and last year we took a Scottish Championship team to 119 minutes until they got the winner against us and I just think it’s just a great day for Welsh Football.”
“If we get it right in the first half, and we’re clinical, we 2-0 up at half time, we’ve had more possession, we’ve kept the ball and I continually hear people talking about playing football the right way – I have a way of playing football that wins games of football.”
With a quick turnaround of games, both sides are expected to make changes in their respective games tonight.
Connah’s Quay could recall wingers Michael Bakare and Ryan Wignall against a Caernarfon Town side who’re looking to return to winning ways after losing to The New Saints last time out.
“It doesn’t come much tougher than Connahs Quay away on a Tuesday night. They will be buoyant and full of confidence after their fantastic result at the weekend,” said Caernarofn boss Sean Eardley.
“Having said that, we have proved we can compete at this level in the first four games and whilst Tuesday will be a different challenge altogether it’s one we’ll embrace and we hope the Cofi Army will turn out in their numbers to support us as they’ve been fantastic thus far.
Scott Ruscoe is also expecting to make changes to his Saints team: “Playing Saturday, Tuesday, Friday will maybe open the selection door for some of the players who haven’t played.
“Players are coming back in now Cieslewicz is available for selection having missed the game at the weekend. Ryan Brobbel is coming back to fitness.
“Aber did well against Llanelli, they’re a team that like to attack, they play on the counter and they have pace. I think they pushed Declan Walker further up the pitch, he does well so we’ve got to keep him at bay.”
Tuesday’s WPL fixtures (7.45)
Connah’s Quay vs Caernarfon Town; The New Saints vs Aberystwyth Town.
| Pos. | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | The New Saints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 9 |
| 2 | Connahs Quay Nomads | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 |
| 3 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Bala Town | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Newtown | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| 6 | Carmarthen Town AFC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 7 |
| 7 | Barry Town United FC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 7 |
| 8 | Aberystwyth Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 6 |
| 9 | Caernarfon Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 6 |
| 10 | Llandudno FC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | Llanelli Town AFC | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 4 |
| 12 | Cefn Druids | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 3 |
