Connah’s Quay and The New Saints both returned to winning ways last night to take the JD Cymru Premier title race into the final two games of the season.
Connah’s Quay came from behind to win 2-1 at Barry Town, meanwhile The New Saints picked up their first win in four games at Penybont.
The Nomads kept their two-point lead at the top intact, but only after a contentious penalty decision allowed them to equalise.
Callum Morris duly converted from 12-yards after Barry’s Jamie Bird was adjudged to have brought down Declan Poole, although replays appear to show Bird cleanly taking the ball.
Two minutes after equalising, Connah’s Quay found themselves in front when Craig Curran got the final touch on Aeron Edwards’ goal bound header.
Barry, who had taken a surprise lead when Theo Wharton stabbed home Curtis Hutson’s near post-delivery on 67-minutes, finished the game with 10-men when Jon Cotterill received two late cautions.
Second-half goals from Ben Clark, Ryan Brobbel and Leo Smith got The New Saints’ title challenge back on track with against Penybont, as Anthony Limbrick’s side ended a two-game scoring drought with a 3-0 win.
Clark’s deflected curling effort beat Ashley Morris before Brobbel’s well-struck free-kick extended The New Saints’ lead. Leo Smith wrapped the game up when he found himself through on goal and rounded Morris in added time.
The New Saints found an extra gear in the second period following a closely contested first-half in which Penybont had come closest to scoring.
Ioan Williams’ header forced Paul Harrison to make a one-handed save to parry the ball to safety, and Ben Ahmun found himself unmarked but snatched at a close-range opportunity when he fired straight at Harrison on the stroke of half-time.
ROUNDUP
In the Championship Conference’s other game, Max Cleworth struck twice as Caernarfon claimed a shock 3-0 win over Bala Town at The Oval.
Cleworth’s second in first-half added time gave the Cofis a commanding lead at the break before Sion Bradley extended the hosts advantage.
Newtown spurned the chance to secure their place in the Play-Offs after Cardiff Met ended their unbeaten run in Phase 2.
In a frantic opening at Latham Park, Newtown led after just 37-seconds when Tyrone Ofori fired the Robins in front before Cardiff Met made it one apiece when Lewis Rees levelled in the fifth-minute.
The Archers have rediscovered their form of late and were unbeaten in their last six prior to facing Newtown. On loan Bristol Rovers starlet Ollie Hulbert continues to impress and put the visitors ahead in the second-half, before Newtown’s Nick Rushton’s restored parity with a penalty from a foul that saw Emlyn Lewis receive a second yellow card and receive his marching orders.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Cardiff Met regained the lead for a second time after Eliot Evan’s converted from the penalty spot as Christian Edwards’ side notched a third-straight win to give themselves an outside chance of pipping Newtown to the final play-off spot. Newtown have a five-point lead over Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County heading into the final two games.
Haverfordwest twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Aberystwyth Town. The hosts saw Owain Jones’ strike cancelled out by Haverfordwest’s Jack Wilson before Jamie Reed put the Seasiders back in front from the penalty spot. Two minutes later however, Danny Williams again levelled for County leaving both sides to settle for a point following goalless second period.
Cefn Druids‘ woes continued at the foot of the table after Josh Amiss scored a hat-trick as Flint Town United ran out 6-0 winners in the latest heavy defeat for the Ancients.
Ben Maher, a Jacob Wise own goal and Sam Hart were also on target as Flint condemned abject Druids to a seventh-consecutive loss.
JD CYMRU PREMIER TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Aberystwyth 2-2 Haverfordwest, Barry Town 1-2 Connah’s Quay, Caernarfon 3-0 Bala Town, Cefn Druids 0-6 Flint Town United, Newtown 2-3 Cardiff Met, Penybont 0-3 The New Saints.
