Premier Preview


D-Day for Dragons

By Robert Stock
February 13 2004

We look ahead to this weekend's Welsh Premier action by previewing every game with the latest news from both squads, as well as giving our humble opinion on who will celebrating and drowning their sorrows come Saturday evening. Friday

              PREMIER PREVIEW
Our weekly guide to the weekend's Welsh Premier games. Please keep re-visiting this page, as we will be updating it until Friday evening each week when all squad news is in. If you would like to preview your team's game please send them in to wpwebmaster@uk2.net 

                                 Friday, 13th February
Have your say on the LOW-DOWN forum.
Aberystwyth Town  v  Afan Lido
Aberystwyth will be confident of picking up all 3 points against struggling Afan Lido at Park Avenue on Friday night. The Greens picked up all 3 points in Port Talbot earlier in the season courtesy of a winner from prolific striker Marc Lloyd-Williams. However, the ex-Bangor striker seems likely to be on the bench yet again as Anthony Wright continues up front.

Afan Lido have never won at Park Avenue, and the odds seem stacked against them yet again as they look to rise from the wrong half of the table. 
Our Prediction: 3-0 Your Prediction:
Caernarfon Town  v  Connah's Quay Nomads
Caernarfon will give a debut to ex-Wrexham midfielder Martyn Chalk following his transfer from Rhyl. He will be joined by ex-Racecourse team-mates Waynne Phillips, David Walsh and Steve Watkin as the Cofis look to push into the top four. There is good and bad news for Canaries manager Adie Jones with midfielder Leigh Williams returning to the squad but defenders Dave Norman and Mark Antrobus are still out injured

Nomads, who also sport a host of ex-Wrexham players will be looking to bounce back following the disappointment of last Saturday's Welsh Cup defeat to league leaders T.N.S. at the Deeside Stadium. They are boosted by the return of Craig Hutchinson from suspension and Stuart Terry from injury. Manager Nev Powell has to choose who to play in goal, with Andy Hughes and Jason Turner both having shared the number 1 shirt this season.
Our Prediction: 1-2 Your Prediction:
C.P.D. Porthmadog  v  Bangor City
Porthmadog will be looking to Bangor lad Carl Owen to score against his home town team as they look to heap further agony onto their Gwynedd rivals this season.

Peter Davenport will give a pre-match fitness test to striker Paul Gedman who has been struggling with a leg injury. He is also boosted by the return of defender Alan Goodall from suspension, starlet Les Davies following his return from cup action for CPD Glantraeth last Saturday. Goalkeeper Phil Prirstley is still out, so rookie Daniel Evans will continue between the sticks.
Our Prediction: 2-1 Your Prediction:
                  Saturday, 14th February
Barry Town v  Carmarthen Town
New Boss Colin Addison's first match in charge is likely to decide if the Welsh Premier champions have any chance of achieving the impossible and avoiding relegation as they take on 2nd-bottom Carmarthen Town. The former Derby manager will be hoping his team can achieve their first win of the season as they look to begin their great escape.

Carmarthen Town have a 10 point cushion over the Dragons but that is not good enough for coach Mark Aizelwood who today branded his team 'not good enough' to the Carmarthen Times. Town have managed to fend off reported interest from Chester in keeper Tony Pennock and are likely to start with the same team who recorded a shock 1-1 draw at Newtown on Wednesday night.
Our Prediction: 0-3 Your Prediction:
Caersws  v  Rhyl
Caersws look to boost their Premier Cup hopes but face a tough challenge as second-placed Rhyl visit. 

Manager of the Month John Hulse will be hoping the dreaded curse associated with his recent award will not strike at the Recreation Ground. Rhyl could well top as league leaders TNS face a tricky trip to Haverfordwest (see below) if they can secure the 3 points.
Our Prediction: 1-1 Your Prediction:
Haverfordwest County  v  T.N.S.
County know that a win is a must if they are to keep their slim title hopes alive in the 6-pointer with league leaders T.N.S. A European place is more likely for the West Walians, and Deryn Brace will give late fitness tests to Colin Loss, Chris Miller and Darren Ryan as they look to turn the dream into reality. 

The Saints have a few injury problems ahead of their tough trip to the New Bridge Meadow with influential captain Gary Brabin missing for 6 weeks following his heart scare during last week's cup win at Connah's Quay Nomads. Also out are John Leah and keeper Dean Williams, meaning 2nd-choice Gerard Doherty retaining his place between the posts.
Our Prediction: 0-0 Your Prediction:
NEWI Cefn Druids  v  Cwmbran Town
Druids appear to have survived an attempted bid by Nev Powell to lure top scorer Aden Shannon to the Deeside Stadium, so the ex-Christleton striker will be looking to add to his tally of 16 goals in The Ancients new kits sponsored by MJ Transport. Also making their debut will be ex-Tranmere midfielder, Alan Morgan, recently signed from Porthmadog.

Cwmbran will be looking to move 3 points clear of Druids, as the two clubs lie deadlocked on 23 points going into Saturday's game at Plaskynaston Lane.
Our Prediction: 4-2 Your Prediction:
Port Talbot Town  v  Welshpool Town
Port Talbot Town go into the game on the back of a Welsh Cup victory over Ton Pentre. Talbot are just a few points off the last Premier Cup place and know there is plenty of games left to achieve their dream.

Welshpool have found wins hard to come by this season, and needed extra time to beat Cymru Alliance giant-killers CPD Glantraeth last Saturday. They lie just 5 points above 2nd bottom Carmarthen and will be hoping new signing Neil McCann can inspire an upturn in their fortunes. The 20 year old midfielder has signed from Vauxhall Motors and seems likely to make his debut at Victoria Road.
Our Prediction: 0-3 Your Prediction:
Play 'Premier Predictions' and win a years subscription to Welsh Football Magazine!

Bookmark or share this story with: