The Dafabet Welsh Premier League is about to raise the drawbridge, with the top six fighting to be kings of the castle and the bottom six entering into their own battle. Matthew Burgess examines how Carmarthen Town, under former Wales international Mark Aizlewood, could upset the odds.
Few will be surprised to see the race for the Welsh Premier League top-six going to the wire this weekend, but Carmarthen Town would have been considered a surprise name to be in that number at the start of the season.
The West-Walians currently sit in pole-position to take the league’s final top-six place and with a two-point advantage over Llandudno. Carmarthen require a draw at Cefn Druids to rubber-stamp a top-half finish and guarantee themselves a place in the end of season play-offs.
Llandudno achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for Europe after finishing third in their first season in the Welsh Premier League last year and go into their match with Rhyl looking to capitalise on any slip-up from Carmarthen.
However, Town boss Mark Aizlewood believes his side aren’t under any pressure.
“There’s no pressure on Carmarthen to end up in the top-six as it’s a massive overachievement,” he said.
“The real pressure comes on any teams that end up in the bottom six as that’s where the real pressure is this year because any team in that bottom six can be relegated this year.
“We’ve had an injury crisis which has been second to none in my time here and taking that into consideration I’m absolutely thrilled we’ve still got a chance of top-six.
“For a team like Carmarthen to compete against what’re we’re competing against in terms of financial power, and end up in the top-six – if we did that – it is akin to us winning the league.”
Cefn Druids ended Aberystwyth Town’s own top-six hopes with a 1-0-win last weekend under the watchful eye of Aizlewood, who was left impressed with what he saw from Huw Griffiths’ side.
“I watched Cefn Druids at Aberystwyth and I can’t understand why Cefn Druids have been near the bottom all year,” he added.
“I think they’re one of the best teams in the league and it’s going to be a very difficult task for us to go there and get a positive result which is what we need.”
BANGOR CITY SIGN FORMER TORINO DEFENDER
Bangor City have signed 23-year-old Nigerian Sergio Uye, who becomes the club’s third signing of the January transfer window.
The central defender began his career in the Serie A side’s youth ranks until his release in 2013 and has since had spells in Lithuania, Finland and Germany.
Uye, also a former Nigerian Under-23 international, joins up with Ian Dawes’ side having received international clearance to face Airbus this weekend.
Connah’s Quay have also bolstered their defensive ranks this week in what has been a busy week for the Nomads.
Former TNS captain Kai Edwards returns to the WPL after a short spell at Wrexham. The centre-back should prove to be an excellent signing for Andy Morrison and further strengthens what is already a considerably resilient squad at the Deeside Stadium.
Connah’s Quay have also confirmed the departures of defender Chris Rimmer (Rhyl) and forwards Ashley Ruane (Cefn Druids) and Nicky Rushton (Newtown).
Saturday’s WPL fixtures (all 5.15): Aberystwyth v Cardiff Met, Airbus UK v Bangor City, Bala Town v Connah’s Quay, Llandudno v Rhyl, Cefn Druids v Carmarthen (live S4C), Newtown v TNS.