THE future of Connah’s Quay Nomads is looking extremely bright as the end of the current league campaign arrives.

Neil Gibson’s Nomads, guaranteed a runners-up finish in the top flight, bring the curtain down on their league campaign with Sunday’s trip to undefeated champions The New Saints.

It will be a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming Welsh Cup final and team boss Gibson has been shining the spotlight on the young players at his disposal.

He said they “performed exceptionally well” in last week’s goalless draw with Bala Town.

Gibson told Quay’s X side: “We made three or four changes just to freshen things up and rest some players that had played a large number of minutes last week.

“We freshened it with three or four as well this week.

“Luca Hogan’s now started two games on the bounce in the Welsh Premier League for us. At 18, I think he’s done exceptionally well. Two difficult games as well, Cardiff Met away and Bala at home.

“I thought he’s done excellent.

“Josh Williams is in some really good form. I believe it’s 50 Welsh Premier League appearances for him tonight, so at the age of 19 and I think he played once in the Welsh Premier League before I came in.

“So, it’s been a testament to him and how well he’s worked in the last two years.

“And great to see Jack Burman come on, because we know the ability that Jack’s got and there’s plenty behind him in the excellent Academy we’ve got, that we spend a lot of time and effort putting into the 21s and under-18s to create the pathway for them.”

The top-three spots in the Championship Conference are already sorted, but the bottom three places still need sorting out.

The gap between Newtown, in fourth, and sixth-placed Cardiff Met is just two points heading into the final round of matches.

Newtown will head south to Cardiff Met on Sunday, while fifth-placed Caernarfon Town have a Gwynedd derby at home to Bala Town, who will finish the campaign in third spot.

The battle to beat relegation has gone down to the final weekend and nothing less than a win will do for Colwyn Bay.

Last season’s Cymru North champions sit at the foot of the standings with one game left to play.

Steve Evans’ side will finish outside the bottom-two if relegation rivals Aberystwyth and Pontypridd draw, while the Seagulls beat visitors Barry Town United on Sunday.

Last Saturday, Bay fell to a 3-1 loss at play-off chasing Haverfordwest County but defeats later in the day for Aberystwyth and Pontypridd meant that the relegation battle will go down to the wire.

The situation is also complicated by Pontypridd’s failure to obtain a tier one licence for next season, which would see them relegated regardless of league position and if an appeal is unsuccessful.

Colwyn Bay once again have attracted the highest average crowds in the Cymru Leagues this season and Bay secretary Dilwyn Roberts hailed the Seagulls supporters.

“The fans have been brilliant in backing the Bay this season and while we still have a chance their support will be needed more than ever on Sunday,” he said.

In Sunday’s other Play-off Conference match, Penybont host Haverfordwest.

Connah’s Quay Nomads’ tussle with TNS continues in the FAW Reserves North League.

The Saints moved level on points with Nomads after a 4-0 midweek win over Ruthin Town.

Both teams are in action tomorrow as Nomads go to Porthmadog and TNS welcome Denbigh Town.

Other fixtures: Mold Alex v Buckley Town; Llandudno v Ruthin; Chirk v Holywell Town.