JD Cymru Premier round-up: Flint earn first win as Barry frustrate TNS

Flint Town United earned their first JD Cymru Premier win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Cardiff Met at the Essity Stadium on Saturday. 

Met took the lead inside seven minutes as Sam Jones flicked Ryan Reynolds’ corner towards Joel Edwards, who nodded home from close range for his first goal since last September. 

However, Flint levelled the contest nine minutes later as returning defender Alec Mudimu met Ben Wynne’s long throw and headed past Kelland Absalom, while Elliott Reeves completed the turnaround just before the half hour mark with a superb solo goal that saw him beat five Met defenders and slot home. 

Lewis Rees remarkably scored direct from a corner to bring the visitors level again early in the second half, but Jack Thorn instantly restored Flint’s lead as a long throw from Wynne again caused chaos in Met in the box. 

Silkmen substitute Josh Jones sealed victory from the penalty spot on 82 minutes after Harry Owen was tussled to the floor in the box by Gruff Morgan. Defeat for Met leaves them in the relegation zone and without a win from their opening five league games of the season.

League leaders Caernarfon Town now hold the only unbeaten record in the division after Dominic Smith’s header earned a point for the Cofis in a 1-1 draw away at Haverfordwest County on Saturday evening. 

The Bluebirds found the breakthrough five minutes before half-time when Ben Ahmun was clipped by Phil Mooney in the box and the striker picked himself to convert from the penalty spot. 

Caernarfon improved after the break at Ogi Bridge Meadow, as Josh Lock and Adam Davies both came close to finding an equaliser before summer signing Smith headed home Sion Bradley’s corner on 74 minutes to ensure the points were shared. The Cofis remain two points clear at the top of the table. 

Reigning champions The New Saints dropped points for the second consecutive week as they were held to a goalless draw by Barry Town United at Jenner Park. 

Robbie Willmott almost scored his third goal of the season for Barry when he had his powerful effort tipped away by Nathan Shepperd, while Ben Margetson probably should have tested the Saints goalkeeper when he was left unmarked from Ryan Kavanagh’s cross but the defender could only head wide. 

Rory Holden and Adrian Cieslewicz both had opportunities from inside the area for the visitors, but George Ratcliffe made comfortable saves to keep the game goalless. Ratcliffe was also the last Barry goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against TNS, while he was on loan from Cardiff City in September 2019. 

Colwyn Bay twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Blue Turtle Arena. 

In-form Ferry striker Tom Walters put his side ahead in the seventh minute as he bundled the ball home from Kian Jenkins’ inviting delivery. 

Sam Hart thought he had brought the hosts level with a neat first-time finish from Aeron Edwards’ cross only for the offside flag to be raised, but Bay did find an equaliser in first half stoppage time when Nathan Peate diverted Jordan Davies’ cross past Will Fuller. 

Walters restored Ferry’s advantage midway through the second half with a poked finish at the front post from Ruben Davies cross’, but the Seagulls claimed a point courtesy of Jordan Davies’ first goal for the club in the 76^th minute as he latched onto Lewis Sirrell’s long pass and finished past Fuller. 

It was a fourth draw in five matches for Bay as they continue to search for their first win back in the JD Cymru Premier, while Ferry remain in third place after their bright start to the campaign. 

Connah’s Quay Nomads earned back-to-back wins for the first time since March as they triumphed 1-0 away at second-place Penybont. 

Chances were at a minimum as the rain poured down at the DragonBet Stadium, but the decisive moment came with just 10 minutes remaining as Rhys Hughes produced a perfectly placed lob over Bont goalkeeper Archie Matthews from the edge of the box for his first goal of the season. 

Llanelli Town’s wait for a first point following promotion continues after Bala Town won 1-0 at Stebonheath Park on Saturday afternoon. 

The only goal of the game came with just nine minutes on the clock as Hussein Mehasseb tucked away a close-range rebound after Liam Higgins’ effort struck the post. 

Llanelli pushed for an equaliser, but Alex Bonthron was denied on multiple occasions by Joel Torrance and captain Joe Hopkins had his close range strike cleared off the line. 

Weekend results in full:

Barry Town United 0-0 The New Saints
Colwyn Bay 2-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Flint Town United 4-2 Cardiff Met
Llanelli Town 0-1 Bala Town
Penybont 0-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Haverfordwest County 1-1 Caernarfon Town