The pair face each other in a top-six clash just days after learning their paths in the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup — a round that will see two top-flight teams eliminated after Penybont were paired with Flint Town United and Cardiff Met were drawn at home to Caernarfon Town.
The focus now turns back to league business, and Griffiths believes Colwyn Bay’s resurgence under Wilde has been one of the standout stories of the season.
Penybont sit second in the table with a three-point cushion over Caernarfon and an eight-point buffer to fifth-placed Colwyn Bay, but Griffiths is under no illusions about the size of the task.
“It’s going to be another tough trip up north for us and this one will be on a grass pitch,” said Griffiths.
“When TNS first got an all-weather surface that gave them an advantage, but now most teams have them.
“Now Colwyn Bay stand out because they still play on grass. With the sort of weather we’ve been having that will make it difficult for everyone.
“Michael Wilde has done a great job with the club since they’ve come back up. They are well organised and difficult to play against.”
That praise is significant coming from Griffiths, whose side edged the Seagulls 1–0 earlier in the campaign thanks to a Jac Clay winner.
Colwyn Bay have been formidable at home, suffering only two defeats in nine matches, and Wilde’s squad will be eager to strike back in front of their own supporters.
Their biggest challenge will be containing the most productive strike partnership in the division.
James Crole is in electric form after his hat-trick last weekend helped Penybont into the next round of the Cup, taking him to an extraordinary 17 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.
Alongside him, Noah Daley has made the step up from Carmarthen Town look effortless, delivering 10 league goals and two more in the Nathaniel MG Cup in just 14 matches.
“They have both had parts of the season where they haven’t played as well as I’d like, or they wanted, but they’ve kept on scoring goals,” Griffiths admitted.
“They bounce off each other both on and off the field and Noah has settled in remarkably well.
“There were some who thought he wouldn’t make it at this level, but we’ve been very happy with him so far.”
With the league tight behind runaway leaders The New Saints, Penybont know any slip could quickly drag them into a battle for top-six security.
But Griffiths’ comments underline just how seriously he takes Wilde’s Colwyn Bay — a side he sees as one of the division’s most disciplined and best-drilled under their current manager.
Away from that clash, Cardiff Met — buoyed by back-to-back victories over champions TNS in both league and cup — head to Bala Town aiming to strengthen their hold on a top-six spot.
Briton Ferry Llansawel, without a game for three weeks, return to action with a home tie against Flint Town United.
At the other end of the table, bottom-placed Llanelli Town welcome fourth-placed Connah’s Quay Nomads, hoping to spark a revival before Christmas.
The JD Welsh Cup draw in full:
Bangor City 1876 v Cardiff Draconians or Trefelin
Barry Town United v Gresford Athletic
Caerau Ely v Llandudno
Cardiff Met v Caernarfon Town
Penybont v Flint Town United
Pontypridd United v Colwyn Bay
Porthmadog v Rhyl 1879
Treaddur Bay v Newport City
