Bridgend’s big Super Saturday role

THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE

BRIDGEND Town will be involved in Saturday’s big battle to remain in Division One of the Premier League, writes Tony Poole.

Though Town are destined to finish in fourth place, their hosts Ynysygerwn are involved in a tooth and nail battle with Swansea to protect topflight status.

Going into Saturday’s final round of fixtures, ninth-placed Ynys only hold a six-point advantage over Swansea.

Last weekend, only one Premier League fixture got underway with Ynys scoring 94-3 against Swansea in an encounter that was set to impact on the relegation issue.

But a premature end came in mid-afternoon and the one relegation spot remains in a state of flux.

In their final outing of the season, Swansea face Pontarddulais at St Helen’s.

And while Ynys and Swansea battle to stay put, the destination of the seventh Premier League title is still unknown.

Newport, who are away to third-placed Port Talbot Town, hold an 11-point advantage over Cardiff, who face Neath at The Gnoll.

That means Newport remain strong favourites to win the championship for a first time.

And with Newport Seconds also leading the way in Second XI East, the Spytty Park club might be celebrating a double come Saturday night.

However, Cardiff have twice achieved a First and Second XI league double in both 2011 and 2014.

Last Saturday, there was never any chance of Bridgend entertaining Cardiff in their final home league match of the season.

The game was abandoned around lunchtime, as was the Second XI (East) clash between Bridgend Town Seconds and Cardiff at the Diamond Ground in Whitchurch.

Also yet to be settled are Division One issues at both ends of the table.

When fixtures were struck last winter, the league planners could never have envisaged how apt these games would become.

Only three points separate table-topping Panteg and closest challengers Penarth – and these two teams meet at Redlands Heights on Saturday.

And the glittering prize for one of them is a place at the top table of the South Wales Premier League.

Panteg played in the top echelons for one season only in 2014, and were relegated along with Swansea. But Penarth, who frequently impacted in the old Conference and Alliance Leagues a quarter of a century ago, are bidding for a first bite of the Premier League Division One cherry.

And at the bottom, while it’s confirmed that Aberdare will return to the South Wales Association next term, the second relegation spot has yet to be decided.

It surrounds eighthplaced Pentyrch, who hold a slender one-point lead over Clydach in the second drop spot.

And on similar lines to Panteg and Penarth at the top, Pentyrch have home advantage over Clydach in a crunch clash.

However, things are more clear-cut below in the feeder leagues.

Tata Steel have dominated Thomas, Carroll South Wales Association Division One all summer, and were crowned Dan Radcliffe Trophy winners a few weeks ago.

It represents an instant return to the Premier League for Tata, who spent 2015 in Premier League Division Two.

In the new South-East Wales League, Newport Fugitives look certain to be crowned champions.

And early indications suggest the Fugies – who were successful members of the old Day’s Medical Aids Alliance – want to test the temperature in Premier League Division Two.

So, this all means that some clubs still have a lot to play for Saturday.