PERSISTENT rainfall eventually took its toll on senior football on Saturday, when only Tredegar Town of 13 Gwent-based MacWhirter Welsh League clubs managed to play.

However, the relegation-threatened Division Three outfit must have wished the inclement weather had also passed over Jenner Park as hosts Barry Town moved into third position in the table thanks to a 5-1 victory.

But the margin of victory flattered the hosts, according to Tredegar player-manager Andrew York, Barry skipper during their many domestic and European successes in the 1990s.

"We competed very well before the break and stuck to our game plan using a 4-5-1 system," said Nantyglo-based York.

"In my opinion we created more chances and were the better team before the interval and at the very least should have been level at 2-2.

"At that stage we were 2-1 down because Shaun Smith missed a penalty after Ryan Carniff had scored to put us back in it.

"Later on, we put an extra man up front, but four of their five goals came from our mistakes.

"It was frustrating because we played well and I was very pleased with our first-half performance.

"But the truth is we weren't quite fit enough and although we kept battling away, we were chasing the game and that's always difficult against a fitter team.

"It was nice to go back and meet some old faces among their fans, but the result took the shine off things.

"However, I can take lots of positives out of the match and we'll prepare now for Saturday's big home game against Troedyrhiw.

"If we can combine the way we played in the second half of our previous game (the 3-1 home win over Briton Ferry on January 12) and in the first half at Barry, then we will do well."

The defeat means Tredegar have slipped a place to one above the three-strong drop zone while fellow relegation candidates Troedyrhiw lifted themselves over Tredegar and Ammanford up to 13th of 18.

The Division Two games were, coincidentally, the only ones played on a day when the poor weather proved to be the only real winner.

The near-washout takes the number of games across the three divisions having to be rearranged to 92, including 50 involving Gwent clubs.

That will almost certainly lead to an extremely busy time for the league's Newport-based fixture secretary Tony Griffiths, who revealed the possibility of an extension to the season which is currently scheduled to end on Saturday, May 10.

"With regard to the backlog of fixtures, there are now approximately 90 games which are outstanding to be arranged by the relevant clubs," said Griffiths.

"There have only been three bad Saturdays as far as postponements are concerned, two in December and this weekend's.

"However, the poor weather in December and January has affected some clubs more than others, leaving some with a backlog, while others have a few or no fixtures to re-arrange.

"The forecast for the next month or so does not look too promising, and if this is the case I expect the league's management committee to consider extending the season at its February meeting.

"If approved, this will assist some clubs but will not help others who share their grounds with summer sports and those that require to be worked on in preparation for next season."

In total, Caerleon have six games to fit in, Croesyceiliog, Caldicot Town and Cwmbran Town have each got five, and Newport YMCA four.

In Division Two, Llanwern have five, Cwmbran Celtic four and Tredegar one, while in Division Three, Aberbargoed Buds have five, Goytre and Risca United have four and Abertillery Excelsiors two.

MacWhirter Welsh League games to be rearranged by Gwent clubs. Division One: Caerleon - home v ENTO Aberaman Athletic; Goytre United; Maesteg Park Athletic; away v Caldicot Town; Cambrian & Clydach; Cwmbran Town. Caldicot Town - home v Caerleon; Dinas Powys; ENTO Aberaman Athletic; away v Pontardawe Town; Goytre United. Croesyceiliog - home v Cwmbran Town; Ton Pentre; Cambrian & Clydach. Cwmbran Town - home v Caerleon; Taffs Well; away v Bryntirion Athletic; Croesyceiliog; Dinas Powys. Newport YMCA - away v Bryntirion Athletic; Pontypridd Town. Division Two: Cwmbran Celtic - away v Grange Harlequins; Bettws. Llanwern - away v Barry Town; West End (Swansea); Llangeinor. Division Three: Aberbargoed Buds - home v Morriston Town; Ystradgynlais; Porthcawl Town; away v Merthyr Saints; Seven Sisters. Abertillery Excelsiors - away v Newcastle Emlyn; Morriston Town. Goytre - away v Llansawel; Seven Sisters; Newcastle Emlyn. Monmouth Town - home v Cwmamman United; away v Risca United; Penrhiwceiber Rangers. Risca United - home v Merthyr Saints; Monmouth Town; away v Ystradgynlais.