Prestatyn Town appear destined to make an immediate return to the Huws Gray Alliance after losing by a single goal in their bottom of the table clash with Carmarthen Town.
The Seasiders are without a win since November and their latest defeat should prove to be one too many in their fight against relegation.
The dismissal of Zebb Edwards did Prestatyn’s hopes few favours at the end of an evenly contested first half.
But despite the numerical disadvantage, veteran defender Dave Hayes came close to giving Prestatyn the lead with a headed effort that came back off the crossbar, and Ross Stephens was unable to convert the rebound.
The game turned on 69 minutes when Liam Thomas preserved gritty Carmarthen’s survivals hopes, duly converting a crucial penalty after Wales C international Mark Jones had been sent tumbling.
That victory still leaves Carmarthen Town with considerable work to do as they trial 10th-placed Aberystwyth by eight points with four games remaining.
Interim manager Neil Smothers was satisfied with the Old Gold’s latest efforts: “I asked the boys to work hard be disciplined and find a way to win and the boys did all three things today. You can’t ask for more than a clean sheet and three points.”
Prestatyn meanwhile require a turnaround of epic proportions if they are survive. The Bastion Gardens outfit must win all five remaining league games, and hope on other results. Their relegation could be confirmed in south Wales next weekend against in-form Barry Town.
Gavin Chesterfield’s men had won every game since the league split going into Saturday’s visit to Aberystwyth Town. And setrikes from Jordan Cotterill and Louis Gerrard gave the Barry Town their fifth win on the bounce as the Dragons kept the momentum going and maintained their six-point lead in seventh-place, still with a game in hand.
At the top of the table, The New Saints celebrated their latest league title in style as they thumped Cefn Druids 5-1 in front of the live television cameras. New Zealander Greg Draper hit four to take his tally this season to 19 goals and cement his place at the top of the scoring charts.
It took just six minutes for Draper to find his scoring his touch capitalising on a Druids defensive error. Tom Holland added to the Saints’ lead shortly before half-time before the league champions rallied strongly quickly after the restart, Draper scored twice in two minutes to confirm his hat-trick. On 83 minutes Draper then swept in Jamie Mullan’s cross to round off a comfortable win for the champions.
Bangor City climbed up to third in the table and are separated from second-placed Connah’s Quay by virtue of goal difference, following a 2-1 win on the road at Cardiff Met. Alex Darlington scored his first goal since his January move to the Citizens but the Students replied shortly afterwards when Emlyn Lewis headed home. Top-scorer Dean Rittenberg restored Bangor’s lead to give them their third win in four matches.
Newtown fought back from 2-1 down after Jay Gibbs had put Llandudno in the driving seat at Latham Park to mathematically secure their WPL status.
Ryan Sears had cancelled out Gibbs’ opener before the Gibbs restored the visitors’ lead. The Robins then hit back as youngster Ethan Jones restored parity in the second-half before a Nick Rushton ensured Newtown maximum points.
JD Welsh Premier League results:
Aberystwyth 0 Barry Town 2; Bala Town 0 Connah’s Quay 1; Cardiff Met 1 Bangor City 2; Newtown 3 Llandudno 2; Prestatyn 0 Carmarthen 1; The New Saints 5 Cefn Druids 1.
