Premier Preview
Sunday showdown
By Robert Stock
January 21 2005
It's sure to be an exciting weekend of Welsh Premier action, none more so than at Treflan on Sunday, as TNS take on Champions Rhyl live on S4C. We preview all of the weekend's fixtures, and take a look at the latest team news and form guides.
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| Sunday, 23rd January 2005 | |
| T.N.S. v Rhyl | |
| T.N.S: The league leaders go into Sunday's live title 6-pointer on the back of an impressive 7-0 victory at Caernarfon, where Marc Lloyd Williams scored a hat-trick, in doing so passing the 200 Welsh Premier goal mark. The ex-Bangor striker is again to lead the attack, and averaging over a goal a game the Rhyl defence will have to be on top of their game to stop 'Jiws' adding to his impressive tally.
The Saints' are still without winger John Lawless, and are likely to retain the same line-up which humiliated Caernarfon, if defender Tommy Holmes recovers from illness in time. Waiting in the wings for a recall if Holmes fails to recuperate are Jimmy Aggrey (returning from suspension) and Chris King (returning from illness) | |
| Form Guide | |
| T.N.S: DWWLW | Rhyl: WWDWW |
| Our Prediction: 1-1 | Your Prediction: |
| Saturday , 22nd January 2005 | |
| Aberystwyth Town v Caernarfon Town | |
| Aberystwyth: The Seasiders are likely to be without student Right-Back Nick Evans, who has exams. His place is likely to be filled by player-manager David Burrows. Otherwise it will be un unchanged side to that which drew 0-0 at Afan Lido.
Caernarfon: New signing Kenny Irons will make his debut in midfield, with the ex-Tranmere star having left NEWI Cefn Druids midweek. Waynne Phillips's Canaries were on the wrong end of a 7-0 hiding to TNS last Saturday, and Irons' midfield experience could just be what the Cofis need in their fight against relegation. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Aberystwyth: LLLDD | Caernarfon: LWLDL |
| Our Prediction: 2-1 | Your Prediction: |
| Bangor City v Afan Lido | |
| Bangor City: Having release ex-Welsh Premier player of the year Simon Davies to Rhyl in the week, ex-Everton youngster Craig Garside is in line to take the central midfield berth alongside Owain Tudur Jones. City are still without Paul Friel and Chris Priest due to injury, but the Citizens are boosted by the return of Morgan Jones and Kevin Scott as they look to bounce back from a dire performance in their 3-0 loss at Porthmadog last Saturday.
Afan Lido: The struggling Port Talbot outfit picked up a useful point in their fight against relegation with a stalemate with Aberystwyth last Friday. Experienced striker Kevin Bartley has joined local rivals Goytre. Young reserve striker Neil Hendra could be given his chance up front after a promising series of performances for the Reserves, as Lido look to improve on their dire scoring record of just 16 Welsh Premier goals this season. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Bangor City: DLLWL | Afan Lido: LLWLD |
| Our Prediction: 3-1 | Your Prediction: |
| Connah's Quay Nomads v CPD Porthmadog | |
| Nomads: Nomads play their first Welsh Premier game of the New Year, looking to bounce back from a 4-2 reverse at high flying neighbours Rhyl on 27th December.
Porthmadog: In-form Port have quietly been climbing the table and easily brushed off local rivals Bangor City 3-0 in last Saturday's main featured game on 'Y Clwb Pel Droed', and are likely to keep the same side which impressed so much. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Connah's Quay: DWDDL | Porthmadog: DDWDW |
| Our Prediction: 1-3 | Your Prediction: |
| Cwmbran Town v Airbus UK | |
| Cwmbran: The Crows biggest problem will be making sure the game goes head, as drainage problems coupled with midweek rain have caused concern for the vulnerable Cwmbran Stadium pitch.
Airbus: Bottom of the league Airbus will be hoping for only their second victory of the season. Although recent performances have seen an improvement and the occasional draw, the Planemakers' have been overtook by the improving Llanelli, and conceding 4 points to local neighbours and relegation battlers Cefn Druids over the Holiday period has left them well adrift of safety. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Cwmbran Town: DLWWL | Airbus UK: DDDLL |
| Our Prediction: 2-0 | Your Prediction: |
| NEWI Cefn Druids v Llanelli | |
| Cefn Druids: Unbeaten since ex-Wrexham Manager Dixie McNeil took the reigns, the Plaskynaston Lane outfit have seen themselves rise to the relative safety of 13th place, or top place of the bottom six 'mini-league'. The Ancients face another vital 6-pointer with the visit of Llanelli, who lie 6 points above them in the second relegation spot. Druids have lost experienced midfielder Kenny Irons to fellow strugglers Caernarfon Town.
Llanelli: Like McNeil, new Manager Nicky Tucker has seen an upturn in fortunes since taking over the Stebonheath club, however they still lie 17th and 3 points clear of safety. Victory over Druids would push their hosts right back into the relegation battle. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Cefn Druids: LLDWD | Llanelli: LDWLD |
| Our Prediction: 3-2 | Your Prediction: |
| Newtown v Welshpool Town | |
| Newtown: Out of form Newtown will be hoping to get their Premier Cup bid back on track in this mid-table, Mid-Wales derby at Latham Park. Roger Preece's men have fell to some disappointing defeats in recent months and are in danger of losing their top 8 place.
Welshpool Town: Looking to take Newtown's Premier Cup place are Welshpool, who go into the game on the back of an amazing 5-2 success over league leaders TNS. Winger Gary Roberts impressed Saints Manager Ken McKenna so much that he has put in 7 days notice for the ex-Bangor winger, however it is unlikely that even if Roberts decides to leave that he will do so in time for the weekend's fixtures. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Newtown: LDLLD | Welshpool: WWDLW |
| Our Prediction: 1-1 | Your Prediction: |
| Port Talbot Town v Caersws | |
| Port Talbot: Centre back Liam Hancock is out with a hamstring injury, after limping off in their 1-0 defeat at Champions Rhyl last Saturday. Inconsistency as hampered the Blues' hopes of moving out of relegation trouble, and a visit from 2nd placed Caersws will trust their strength to the limit.
Caersws: Prolific striker Graham Evans will start despite interest from AFC Telford. Last season's top Welsh Premier goalscorer should prove a handful to a depleted Port Talbot defence, and keep alive their title ambitions. | |
| Form Guide | |
| Port Talbot: WLWDL | Caersws: WWWDW |
| Our Prediction: 0-1 | Your Prediction: |
