The Cymru Premier title race between Connah’s Quay and The New Saints will come to a dramatic conclusion this afternoon on the final day of the season (12:00).
Last season’s champions and current Cymru Premier leaders Connah’s Quay have a two-point lead at the top of the table. The Nomads will secure the league title for the second time in their history with a win at Penybont, or if The New Saints drop points in their match.
The New Saints host Bala Town in a must-win game at Park Hall and also hope Connah’s Quay slip-up. Saints’ superior goal differential of 17-goals would see them crowned champions should the two sides finish level on points.
It was exactly five years that Connah’s Quay qualified for Europe for the first time, after beating Airbus in the Play-Off final, now they find themselves on the verge of a second consecutive league title.
“I think it says that we’ve been really consistent,” said manager Andy Morrison, who has overseen the club’s progression from European hopefuls to league champions.
“I think we’ve kept raising the bar year on year and have kept meeting the challenges that have been put in front of us and we’ve gradually closed the gap year on year on TNS and then we surpassed it last season and now we have an opportunity to go again.
“Too many times TNS have wrapped it up with six, seven, eight games left and it’s never been a true competition – there’s no glory in that whatsoever.
“We’ve got to make sure we get the victory because it will take a victory from us to win the title
“No matter what happens, I’ll be incredibly proud of the players but I’ll be a lot happier with winning the title, but it’s not about tomorrow’s game, a month or six months – it’s about a 32-game season and the best team over those 32-games will be the champions,” he added.
“We’re in for a challenge against a very good Penybont team. It’s going to be a really tough game but I back my lads when it comes to a situation like this as we’ve done it on so many occasions. Come tomorrow we’ve got to make sure we’re right at the very top of our game to get the victory we need.”
The New Saints had been the dominant force in Welsh domestic football with eight consecutive league-titles to their name until Connah’s Quay were crowned champions last season on a points-per-game basis, after the league was suspended mid-campaign following the Covid outbreak.
Head coach Anthony Limbrick remains calm going into the final game, despite the expectation of success.
“We need to make sure that we do our job, we need to win the game here and then see where that takes us. Whoever is in front coming into those last three or four games of the season, there is more pressure on them because it’s theirs to lose.
“Connah’s Quay have done well winning those games recently and they’ll have to win one more on the weekend. Penybont are a very good side and you never know what they can do, they beat them earlier in the season so I think it’ll be a tough game there.”
Both games will be broadcast live via Sgorio with Connah’s Quay game at Penybont being shown live on S4C while simultaneously, The New Saints game against Bala Town will be streamed online.
FINAL DAY TITLE PERMUTATIONS
Connah’s Quay win and they will be champions regardless of The New Saints’ result.
Connah’s Quay draw and The New Saints win – Saints would be champions on goal difference.
Connah’s Quay draw and The New Saints draw – Connah’s Quay champions.
Connah’s Quay draw and The New Saints lose – Connah’s Quay champions.
Connah’s Quay lose and The New Saints win – The New Saints win the league by a point.
Connah’s Quay lose and The New Saints draw – Connah’s Quay win the league by a point.
Connah’s Quay lose and The New Saints lose – Connah’s Quay win the league by two points.
There is little to play for in the remaining Cymru Premier games with there being no relegation this season and automatic European qualification and play-off places already determined prior to this weekend’s final games.
In the other Championship Conference games, Barry Town face Caernarfon while Newtown host mid-Wales rivals Aberystwyth in the pick of the three Play-Off Conference fixtures. Cardiff Met entertain Flint Town United and Haverfordwest County host struggling Cefn Druids. All games kick-off at 12:00.