The Race For Glory


By Robert Stock
January 31 2005

TNS, Rhyl and Caersws all have their eyes on the Welsh Premier title. We analyze each club's chances and take a look at their remaining fixtures, as well as attempting to predict who will be lifting the Welsh Premier crown come April...

           THE RACE FOR GLORY
We take a look at the race for the Welsh Premier title. With the race now seemingly a 3 horse one, we analyze the remaining fixtures and attempt to predict who will be representing Wales in next season's Champions League.
TOTAL NETWORK SOLUTIONS Current Position: 1st
Ken McKenna's full-timers currently sit top of the league. But will the pressure associated with such an advantage again prove too much to handle for the Saints? Final Position 2003-04: 2nd
Manager: Ken McKenna
The Key Three: Marc Lloyd-Williams, Jamie Wood, Scott Ruscoe
Remaining Fixtures: 12
08/02/05 Airbus UK (H) On paper, TNS have the easiest run-in, although they do face 3 potentially difficult away fixtures at Carmarthen Town, Bangor City and Haverfordwest County respectively. The Llansantffraid outfit have already shown they are prone to lapses away, following a recent 5-2 defeat at Welshpool. It's possible the Saints could be distracted with their involvement in the latter stages of both the Welsh and Premier Cups, however with such a seemingly straight forward remaining league campaign, Ken McKenna's men should taste some long-awaited success.
13/02/05 Carmarthen Town (A)
19/02/05 Llanelli (H)
05/03/05 CPD Porthmadog (H)
12/03/05 Bangor City (A)
19/03/05 Connah's Quay Nomads (H)
22/03/05 Newtown (A)
28/03/05 NEWI Cefn Druids (H)
02/04/05 Haverfordwest County (A)
09/04/05 Cwmbran Town (H)
16/04/05 Port Talbot Town (A)
TBA Aberystwyth Town (H)
Our Prediction: 1st
 
CAERSWS Current Position: 2nd
Despite lying in second, Caersws are viewed by most as the outsiders for the title. Micky Evans has built a strong squad at the Recreation Ground, but do they have enough quality to secure an unlikely first title? Final Position 2003-04: 5th
Manager: Micky Evans
The Key Three: Graham Evans, Colin Reynolds, Andy Davies
Remaining Fixtures: 11
08/02/05 Aberystwyth Town (A) Caersws have an immediate disadvantage, with a game less than their other title rivals. Couple that with some tricky away tussles at Rhyl and Carmarthen as well as a meeting with TNS' nemesis Welshpool, means the Bluebirds will have to be on-song to secure any points. However, Micky Evans' men have been boosted with news that his son Graham will be staying at The Recreation after resisting an offer to join AFC Telford last week, ensuring they have the necessary fire-power to secure a creditable 3rd place finish and a European place.
12/02/05 Caernarfon Town (H)
19/02/05 Rhyl (A)
26/02/05 Afan Lido (A)
05/03/05 Airbus UK (H)
12/03/05 Carmarthen Town (A)
19/03/05 Llanelli (H)
23/03/05 Welshpool Town (A)
28/03/05 CPD Porthmadog (H)
02/04/05 Bangor City (H)
09/04/05 Connah's Quay Nomads (H)
Our Prediction: 3rd
 
RHYL Current Position: 3rd
Champions Rhyl are equal with Caersws on points but have an inferior goal difference, and lie 2 points behind league leaders T.N.S. With star striker Andy Moran set to return from suspension, can the Lilywhites successfully defend their Welsh Premier Title? Final Position 2003-04: 1st
Manager: John Hulse
The Key Three: Timmy Edwards, Gareth Wilson, Chris McGinn
Remaining Fixtures: 12
12/02/05 Afan Lido (A) Of their 12 remaining fixtures, Rhyl face 7 away games. Whilst main title rivals TNS have been scoring goals for fun, the Lilywhites have struggled to find the net as often in the absence of last season's top goalscorer Andy Moran. However, Rhyl have been experts at grinding out narrow victories and with the imminent return of Moran, they could soon return to their free-scoring ways of last season. The title is far from beyond the reach of the Belle Vue outfit, however it is hard to see TNS slipping up enough to let Rhyl reclaim their crown.
19/02/05 Caersws (H)
25/02/05 Airbus UK (A)
05/03/05 Carmarthen Town (H)
12/03/05 Llanelli (A)
18/03/05 Welshpool Town (H)
22/03/05 CPD Porthmadog (A)
28/03/05 Bangor City (H)
09/04/05 Newtown (H)
16/04/05 NEWI Cefn Druids (A)
TBA Caernarfon Town (A)
TBA Cwmbran Town (A)
Our Prediction: 2nd
Think we're talking a load of rubbish?! Let us know who you think will win the title on the LOW-Down Forum.

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