Bala Town host recently crowned champions The New Saints on Friday night knowing that their hopes of clinching automatic European qualification will be all but over if they are unable to secure three points.

The Lakesiders are fourth in the JD Welsh Premier League with three games remaining, but trail Connah’s Quay and Bangor City by five points.

Bala were in second spot until an run of three straight losses, culminating in a 3-1 defeat to Cefn Druids two weeks ago, saw the Maes Tegid outfit slide down the table.

Defender John Disney believes his side must take maximum points from their final run-in to put themselves back in automatic contention and avoid relying on the end of season play-offs to secure a money-spinning European spot.

“It’s been a long time since we played against Druid because of the result but we’re all raring to for TNS,” he said.

“Performance wise against Druids I thought we were really good all throughout the game – but that little bit of luck wasn’t on our side, and maybe it’s been that way all season so it’s just a case of taking our chances and being switched on at the back. It’s basic things really but it goes a long way at this stage of the season.

“You’ve got to look at our results and don’t look at anyone else’s but more importantly, if we can get nine points then we stand ourselves in good stead.”

Third-placed Bangor City have the opportunity to avenge last week’s humiliating Welsh Cup semi-final defeat to Connah’s Quay (second), in another crucial league encounter.

Kevin Nicholson was left furious after his side collapsed to a 6-1 defeat against the Nomads but believes they are well-equipped to bounceback at the Deeside Stadium tomorrow and keep their European hopes on track.

“Over the course of this season we have developed an excellent track record of recovering quickly and bouncing back from a defeat at the first time of asking. Life is ten percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. This week, we have been working hard to react and respond in a positive manner. We have devoted this week to preparing well for Saturday and we recognise that we need to show character,” said the Citizens boss.

Aberystwyth Town can temporarily extended their five-point advantage over Carmarthen Town and ease their relegation worries with a win at already-relegated Prestatyn Town.

Nev Powell’s Aberystwyth still aren’t out of the relegation battle but travel to north Wales in good spirits after booking their place in this season’s Welsh Cup final last weekend. An away win for the Green and Blacks would put serious pressure on 11th-placed Carmarthen ahead of the two sides’ meeting next weekend.

Carmarthen would need to their three final games to avoid being relegated to the Welsh League, starting with the visit of Llandudno.

Barry Town require a point to clinch a play-off spot and secure a seventh-placed finish in the table as they look to extend their winning run to seven games at home to Newtown.

Cardiff Met and Cefn Druids have already secured their play-off places but the Students travel to the Rock look to rediscover their best form, having taken just a single point from their last seven league outings.

JD Welsh Premier League weekend fixtures
Bala Town vs The New Saints (Fri); Prestatyn vs Aberystwyth (Fri); Carmarthen vs Llandudno (Sat); Cefn Druids vs Cardiff Met (Sat); Connah’s Quay vs Bangor City (Sat); Barry Town vs Newtown (Sun)

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	The New Saints	29	21	4	4	73	27	46	67
2	Connahs Quay Nomads	29	16	6	7	44	24	20	54
3	Bangor City	29	17	3	9	46	30	16	54
4	Bala Town	29	15	4	10	32	38	-6	49
5	Cardiff Metropolitan University	29	11	6	12	38	32	6	39
6	Cefn Druids	29	10	8	11	33	39	-6	38
7	Barry Town United FC	28	14	3	11	34	28	6	45
8	Newtown	29	11	3	15	45	49	-4	36
9	Llandudno FC	29	9	8	12	35	38	-3	35
10	Aberystwyth Town	29	8	6	15	40	52	-12	30
11	Carmarthen Town AFC	29	7	4	18	31	58	-27	25
12	Prestatyn Town	28	4	5	19	27	63	-36	17

Featured image courtesy of Bala Town FC/Welsh Premier League.