WELSH Premier clubs now have the full picture of what’s in store for the rest of this season after the remaining league fixtures were finalised this week.
The halfway split came into effect following Bala Town’s 3-1 win over Afan Lido last Saturday, meaning all 12 teams now play a further 10 matches, home and away, against the sides in their half of the table.
For the top four - Bangor City, The New Saints, Llanelli and Neath – it will all be about the race for the title, while at the bottom, everyone will want to avoid the dreaded drop.
At the moment, Bangor are in pole position, one point ahead of TNS, three in front of Llanelli and seven better off than Neath, who can’t be ruled out when they’ve got a man like Lee Trundle still weaving his magic up front.
Bangor face sixth-placed Prestatyn first in the second batch of fixtures on February 4 while TNS host Neath and Bala in fifth entertain Andy Legg’s Reds.
However, the opening encounter of the second phase is on the previous night when Aberystwyth go to Afan Lido. Newtown and Carmarthen, the bottom two, face each other the following afternoon before Port Talbot visit Airbus UK the day after.
Llanelli have a difficult February with consecutive home games against the current top two following their meeting with Bala while Bangor and TNS lock horns on March 10 then again on the final day of the season, April 21, for what could be a title decider.
But while there are plenty of exciting moments in store, Llanelli boss Legg has expressed his apprehension about how the league’s pitches will hold up.
“The biggest battle for everyone will be the pitches,” said the former Welsh international. “The conditions were appalling for the game between Bala and Afan Lido, and it really wasn't a good advert for the Welsh Premier League.
“Neither side wanted to play and you could see why when you saw the pitch. Teams like ourselves and Neath have nice pitches, but there are other pitches which will be difficult.”
The question of who will come out on top come April 21 is still firmly up for debate given that seven points separate four clubs, three of which have won the title in the last six years.
Bangor are the reigning champions, Llanelli won it in 2008 and TNS were victorious in 2007 and 2010.
By David Williams
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