While today's match here at Jenner Park is undoubtedly the 'Match of the Day' here in Wales, the National League throws up a number of other interesting matches. Conwy United and Bangor City met last night at the Morfa in Conwy in this weekend's local derby, but there remains a number of other results to look out for this afternoon.
Another local derby is the game at the Recreation Ground in Caersws, where the Bluebirds entertain Rhayader Town. Both sides are in the lower half of the table and so both local pride as well as points and positions are at stake for the two sides. A number of players have been at both clubs, and will want to show their former team what they're missing. Additionally, given the recent results of both sides, some goals might be expected as well.
Just below the top positions, seventh placed Caernarfon Town take on fifth placed Total Network Solutions at the Oval. Now out of the F.A.W Premier Cup, Caernarfon will have the chance to improve their League of Wales form and put pressure on the sides above them. However, both they and T.N.S have drawn half of their matches, a result which may happen again today as both sides have strong defences and stick to their gameplan.
At Belle Vue, Rhyl play host to Inter Cabletel, as the home side attempt to stop Inter's inexorable march up the table. Not long ago, the two sides were near to each other in league placing, but Inter's impressive form means that they must be favourites today. The game was changed from taking place tomorrow in Cardiff to Rhyl, but that shouldn't stop Inter picking up all three points in preparation for their slightly shorter visit here to Jenner Park next weekend.
Holywell Town make the trip to Cwmbran this afternoon for a League of Wales match against the side in second place. Holywell have drawn many of their matches, but the odds must be on Cwmbran to make hay as the sun shines and their nearest opponents meet here at Jenner Park. Nevertheless, 'Well striker, Peter Hughes, will be on the lookout to improve his tally and snatch a point from his side.
There's another local derby in West Wales where Haverfordwest County entertain Carmarthen Town. Fresh from their victory over Barry last week, Carmarthen travel thirty miles West into Pembrokeshire, where, again, points, positions and local pride are all at stake.
At the Deeside Stadium, Connah's Quay meet Newtown yet again. The two sides have already met in the F.A.W Premier Cup, as well as in a Welsh Cup match which went to a replay. A couple of places separate the two sides, who've come out with honours even in the cup matches so far. This is a game which could go in either direction, depending upon such variables as the conditions on the ground at Deeside, and whether home striker, Jamie Hughes, can make a difference as he did in the recent Welsh Cup replay.
This weekend, Afan Lido are the odd side out from the seventeen clubs in the League of Wales.
Links to other sites on the Web
Barry Town homepage
Barry Town matchday magazine index
League of Wales results - Autumn 1998
This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine, v Aberystwyth Town, 19.12.1998, League of Wales.
Get your own Free Home Page