logo
Exciting Cymru Premier League play-offs to get underway

Exciting Cymru Premier League play-offs to get underway

Things have been tough for the Lakesiders, who ended a three-month wait for victory with last weekend's 3-2 success over runners-up Penybont.
Bala can now look forward to tomorrow's play-off trip to Cardiff Met, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Manager Colin Caton told S4C's Sgorio: 'The play-offs, everything what's happened in the season, recent form, everything goes out of the window.
'It's about the next game now. It's about the next 90 minutes. It's about the decision-making in those 90 minutes and I'm proud of the lads.
'I've been proud of them over the season, with the amount of injuries we've got. Getting people back and it's all down to the Cardiff Met game now.'
Bala Town FC manager Coiin Caton.
Fellow Gwynedd club Caernarfon Town are also aiming to make their mark in the play-offs.
The Canaries, who concluded the campaign in fourth place, host Barry Town United, who comfortably finished at the top of the Play-off Conference.
The structure of the play-off semi-finals and final will be decided by the outcome of the Welsh Cup final on May 4.
If The New Saints win, league runners-up Penybont will qualify automatically for European competition. However, if Connah's Quay Nomads retain the cup, Penybont will compete in the play-offs.
Tomorrow's FAW Reserves North East League fixtures: Buckley Town v Holywell Town; NFA v St Asaph; Mold Alex v Ruthin.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Celtic frustrated by tenacious Kairat in Champions League playoff first leg
Celtic frustrated by tenacious Kairat in Champions League playoff first leg

The Guardian

timea few seconds ago

  • The Guardian

Celtic frustrated by tenacious Kairat in Champions League playoff first leg

Celtic still have plenty of work to do to reach the Champions League after drawing a blank in the first leg of their playoff against Kairat at Parkhead. In Brendan Rodgers' 800th match as a manager, there was no traditional early onslaught by the hosts as the accomplished Kazakhstani side more than matched their hosts. However, with Yang Hyun-jun on for Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda moving to centre-forward at the start of the second half, Celtic stepped up the pace and piled on the pressure in the later stages but could not find a way through despite 10 added minutes. After Saturday's home league game against Livingston, Celtic will get ready for the return leg in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night – which involves a 7,000-mile round trip – knowing qualification requires perhaps more work than many anticipated. Much of the buildup to the game was centred on whether Rodgers would add to his squad for the European campaign. There were no late signings, but Rodgers made six changes to his side, with Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren and Idah returning and Viljami Sinisalo, Dane Murray, Auston Trusty, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny dropping out. Rafael Urazbakhtin, the Kairat head coach, stressed his team were playing for the glory of Kazakhstan and he pinned much of his hopes on the 17-year-old Chelsea-bound forward Dastan Satpayev. The visitors settled early and in the 11th minute the captain, Aleksandr Martynovich, had the ball in the net from close range but was offside. With Satpayev putting in an influential performance, Kairat attacked fluidly and at pace on the counter to dampen the mood of the expectant home support. In the 32nd minute, the Celtic defender Alistair Johnston pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury as he backtracked. He was taken from the field on a stretcher, replaced by Anthony Ralston. Moments later, the Kairat goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy saved from Maeda when Celtic at last got through. At the other end, Ofri Arad's powerful drive flew just wide of Schmeichel's post. Yang for Idah for the start of the second period and Maeda moving central was no surprise and, within a minute, Yang set up James Forrest, whose shot was touched on to a post and then gathered by Zarutskiy. In the 58th minute, after some sloppiness by Carter-Vickers in defence, the Brazilian striker Edmilson tried a speculative shot from 40 yards and it landed on the roof of Schmeichel's goal. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Celtic's corner count mounted but to no avail and the home fans – perhaps also frustrated by a lack of transfer activity – began singing 'sack the board' as the game moved into the final quarter. In the 75th minute, after sustaining an injury defending a corner, Zarutskiy had to be replaced by his understudy Temirlan Anarbekov. He then had his head bandaged after taking a knock. The visitors wasted time at every opportunity and 10 added minutes gave Celtic hope, but Maeda spurned a gift when he ran through alone and could only manage a tame shot which was easily saved by Anarbekov. There were boos at the end from the irate Celtic supporters.

Celtic 0 Kairat Almaty 0: PLAYER RATINGS: Which home player stood out on a grim night at Parkhead? And who let another big chance in Europe pass him by?
Celtic 0 Kairat Almaty 0: PLAYER RATINGS: Which home player stood out on a grim night at Parkhead? And who let another big chance in Europe pass him by?

Daily Mail​

timea few seconds ago

  • Daily Mail​

Celtic 0 Kairat Almaty 0: PLAYER RATINGS: Which home player stood out on a grim night at Parkhead? And who let another big chance in Europe pass him by?

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor had stressed in the build-up to this crucial Champions League play-off the importance of taking a healthy first-leg advantage to deepest Kazakhstan if the Parkhead side were to entertain hopes of another European run to be proud of. After an insipid 90 minutes at Celtic Park, however, there will be nothing but dread for Brendan Rodgers ' side ahead of their 8,000-mile round trip to Almaty next week. The failure to bring in the fresh blood many fans — and boss Rodgers — clearly craved ahead of the kick-off to their latest continental campaign now looks set to bite the Scottish champions where it hurts. A first-half injury to full-back Alistair Johnston was the last thing Rodgers needed with his problem positions piling up, and there was not one man in green and white who looked like they truly belonged at elite level on a night where the visitors did a professional job to plunder a precious advantage in the tie. Our man GARY KEOWN was on hand to pore over the second disappointing Champions League to hit Glasgow this week... CELTIC (4-3-3) Kasper Schmeichel 6.5 Didn't have a huge amount to do, but made no errors. Probably had Edmilson's ambitious effort covered. Alistair Johnston 6 Was asked some testing questions in early stages, but his removal on 35 minutes spells grim news for Celtic. Cameron Carter-Vickers 7 One slip allowed Edmilson to take a pop from distance, but he didn't do an awful lot wrong otherwise at the back. Liam Scales 7 Steady in defence and, always keen to contribute in an attacking sense, put a header over. Decent display. Kieran Tierney 6 Clearly going to be a big part of Celtic's attacking strategy, but nothing really came off before he was replaced late on. Reo Hatate 6 One great ball to set up Maeda for a shot at goal, but just didn't produce enough of the creative spark he's known for. Callum McGregor 5.5 A relatively quiet night for the Celtic skipper. Booked for a professional foul on Gromyko when stopping a breakaway. Benjamin Nygren 5.5 Got into good positions, but often got crowded out or made the wrong decision. Eventually replaced by Yamada. James Forrest 6 One slack first-half ball set up a chance for Jorginho, but he did force a good save after break. Replaced by Engels. Adam Idah 3 Not at the races and hooked at half-time for Yang. Another big chance to shine in Europe that simply passed him by. Daizen Maeda 6 Made a great run on 37 minutes and forced a save, but fluffed a great chance in time added-on. Brendan Rodgers 5 Spent £30m on Engels, Trusty, Bernardo and Idah. Needs new signings to offer way more. Under big pressure next week. Substitutes: Ralston (Johnston 35), Yang (Idah 46), Engels (Forrest 70), Trusty (Tierney 76), Yamada (Nygren 76). Kairat Almaty (4-3-3): Zarutskiy (Anarbekov 75); Mrynskiy, Martynovich, Sorokin, Glezer; Tapalov, Gromyko, Arad; Edmilson (Ricardinho 83), Satpaev, Jorginho.

John McGinn is Hibs 'role model' for Josh Mulligan as rising star targets Scotland call up alongside hero
John McGinn is Hibs 'role model' for Josh Mulligan as rising star targets Scotland call up alongside hero

Daily Record

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

John McGinn is Hibs 'role model' for Josh Mulligan as rising star targets Scotland call up alongside hero

Mulligan has hit the ground running at Easter Road since making his summer switch from Dundee Josh Mulligan is delighted to be compared to John McGinn - but what the midfielder would love most is to join the former Hibs hero in the Scotland squad. ‌ Mulligan has hit the ground running at Easter Road since making his summer switch from Dundee. ‌ And the 22-year-old is hoping to create history with Hibs as they look to see off Legia Warsaw and reach the £5million Conference League proper. ‌ David Gray's side host the Poles in the playoff first leg tonight and Mulligan is desperate to build on his rich vein of form that has seen him likened to Scotland talisman and Aston Villa skipper McGinn. Mulligan, who scored his first Hibs goal with a top corner screamer in the weekend's Premier Sports Cup win at Livingston, said: 'McGinn is a great player, to be compared with some like that is a good compliment. 'But it's about focusing on my whole game and not getting caught up in comparisons although it is nice. 'He's a good role model. Especially in the last five years he's been a massive player for Scotland as well - probably one of the most influential players. Looking at him, he's someone you want to look at and strive for.' Mulligan is already a Scotland under-21 cap and is desperate to make the next step up to the full national team ahead of next month's opening World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus. ‌ Hibs teammate Kieran Bowie earned his first cap earlier this summer and Mulligan is hoping his exposure to European football can help him catch national team boss Steve Clarke's attention. After playing his part in the agonising Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, Mulligan then had a key role in the 4-3 aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade. He added: 'Even with the under-21s playing for your country there is nothing like that feeling - it gives you a sense of what it would be like to make the step up and pull on that shirt. That would be the best achievement of my career. ‌ "That was a factor as well in coming here, you get more exposure, if you play well you get recognised. "Playing with better players makes you better, you pick things up without even realising it and I'm learning every day. "Other players my age have broken in, so I know it's possible. I just need to keep performing and see what happens. ‌ "It's not just me. Every player wants to be part of the World Cup qualifying. I just need to keep putting in performances, take it game by game and hopefully it comes.' Hibs striker Bowie's stunning goal in the third qualifying round aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade helped Hibs seal their progress and former under 21 team mate Mulligan admits the big striker is flourishing at European level. He added: 'I've played with him for a few years and always knew he was a good player. But since I came here and I've seen him he's really stepped up. He's maturing and it helps everyone, for me I look at him and I want to play with him.' ‌ And Mulligan, who has made seven appearances for Hibs so far, admits he is loving life in Leith as the big games keep on coming. He added: 'This is the reason why I came to this club — to play in games like this. I've loved every minute of it and I'm really excited for another one. "It's gone really well, from the moment I walked in it felt like the right decision. "I'm enjoying it and trying to make the most of these opportunities, because games like this don't come around often."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store