Today features a smaller than usual League of Wales programme, with two of the eight matches being scheduled for last night, and another game being played tomorrow. The matches at Aberystwyth, who entertain Caersws, and at Carmarthen, who host Rhayader, were played last night.
That leaves very few matches to be played today, but the pick of the weekend games is clearly Bangor City's visit to Rhyl. Perhaps its attraction as a fixture lies in the age-old rivalry between the two clubs rather than an important League of Wales match, few people would like to guess the outcome. The two sides have already met in the Premier Cup this season, with honours even over the two matches. Both sides won at home, with former Rhyl and Barry player, Dave Norman, scoring on his City debut, but ending up on the losing side. In their League match, another former Rhyl player, Tommy Mutton, hit two of the goals to beat his former side 4-1.
Caernarfon Town entertain Afan Lido at the Oval and the home side have to be favourites to maintain their excellent home record in the LoW. The match at Afan Lido's Aberafan Beach home was a schizophrenic affair, with Caernarfon dominating the first half and Lido the second. The difference was in the quality of their finishing, with the Cofis hitting three first half goals and Lido only able to pull one back. Caernarfon remain on the fringes of the European race and three points at home today would provide them with a solid backing on which to build their challenge. In contrast, the Lido are still in dire need of points to drag them away from the relegation zone.
Connah's Quay entertain Inter Cabletel at the Deeside Stadium, and, given their recent record, the traveling Cardiff side must be favourites today. Defeats for Inter have been few and far between in the past three and a half months, and having played two more matches than the rest of the challengers, they must pick up every point they can in the next two months. Connah's Quay, though, are in a false position and still hold a number of games in hand over the sides around them. As we found out last weekend and in our respective LoW matches, they are a better side than many give them credit, and they will certainly push Inter all the way today, as they did at Cardiff where the two sides drew 1-1 in the League of Wales.
With both sides fresh from Welsh Cup duty, Conwy entertain Cwmbran at the Morfa today. Both sides have seen their League of Wales seasons tail off, the two clubs having looked good during November and December, and Conwy's manager Stan Allen even picking up the Manager of the Month award. Therefore, both clubs will be looking at today as a chance to get back to form, with the home side looking to consolidate a place in the top half of the table and their South Walian visitors looking to keep up with the fight for European placings. It'll certainly be an intruiging game at the Morfa today.
Tomorrow sees Holywell Town entertain Haverfordwest County at Halkyn Road, with the home side desperate to rid themselves of their nightmare performance at Bridge Meadow earlier this season. Despite scoring after three minutes, Holywell went down 7-2, with County's top striker, Richard Gay, being the architect of their downfall with four goals. The North Walians were promoted from the Cymru Alliance last season, and have found this a difficult season. Their nine draws point to not being outclassed, but their inability to turn those into wins has hurt them badly, and they are relegation candidates, despite the hard work of new manager, Vernon Keep. A win today is important for the Wellmen. However, Haverfordwest have won many admirers this season with a good footballing play being allied to a strong and organised defensive play. A win will keep up their hopes of a place in Premier Cup next season.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town Matchday Magazine, v Total Network Solutions, League of Wales, 20.02.1999
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