JD Cymru Premier clubs will open their doors for the first time since before Christmas
FOOTBALL matches in the JD Cymru Premier will resume this weekend, with fans welcomed back to Jenner Park and Cyncoed Campus Stadium.
Cardiff Met University will play Bala Town at home at 2.30pm on Saturday, 22nd January – and Barry Town United will host Flint Town United at the same time.
Both teams are returning to action following a break in fixtures which began on Sunday, December 26 2021. After the Welsh Government limited large events to having 50 spectators, clubs voted to halt games when the Football Association of Wales gave them the option between this and playing behind closed doors.
The FAW said clubs had taken the decision because running fixtures behind closed doors would be financially unviable, and to avoid disappointment for fans who would miss fixtures.
But now that the Welsh Government’s cap on the number of supporters has been lifted, the JD Cymru Premier is set to return with full crowds.
Leon Ford, 37, a devoted Barry Town fan from the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “I was pleased with the postponements. They meant supporters didn’t miss the games, and the club didn’t miss out on the vital gate receipts.
“But the Welsh Government has again made a decision on outdoor events that envelopes all Welsh clubs, but is based on the big clubs who play in the English leagues.
“A sensible maximum crowd of 500 people outdoors at Jenner Park is easily manageable and would have minimal impact on our gate receipts.
“However, the frustrating announcement of just 50 people meant that we would’ve been in the unfair situation where we’d be losing money every match.”
The gap in fixtures means the Town will go into the end of the season’s first phase buoyed by the re-signing of two former players.
Jonathan Hood, a cult hero for his long-range strikes, rejoined Barry in early January.
And 22-year-old Michael George has also returned to Barry, his hometown club, for a third spell.
Manager Gavin Chesterfield said: “Both Mikey and I feel that he has much unfinished business in a Barry Town shirt, he adds versatility and I’m excited to have him back with us.”
Barry will face Flint Town United, who will hope to hold out for a third-place finish after losing their last two games before the break.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Met will be hoping to pick up where they left off, with two wins and a draw in their last three league and cup games, including a 3-2 win over Barry to reach the Nathaniel MG Cup Final.
Cardiff Met’s captain, midfielder Chris Baker, told The Cardiffian: “The break probably came at a bad time for us, but we’ve been fortunate enough to keep ticking over through Christmas and New Year.
“We’ve played in-house games and we played a friendly last weekend against Cymru Premier opposition, so I think we’re in a good place.
“We’re looking forward to the cup final, the more fans we can get supporting us the better – but I think our focus right now is on Bala on Saturday.”
Saturday’s opponents Bala Town put five past Cefn Druids before the gap in fixtures and will hope to stay in the league’s top six positions, which would keep alive the hope of qualifying for European football next season.
Cardiff Met and Barry Town will also face each other in midweek, on Tuesday, January 25 at 7:45pm in Cyncoed.
You can buy tickets for both teams’ upcoming fixtures on the door.
