WITH no Gwent sides involved in either title or promotion hunts, the spotlight falls on those seeking to avoid the dreaded relegation drop with Croesyceiliog, Tredegar Town and Abertillery Excelsiors all facing crucial games on Saturday.
Of the three, Division One outfit fourth-from-the-bottom Croesyceiliog look to have the better chance of retaining their status - needing only one point from their final two games to send Maesteg Park Athletic down.
It could be all settled tomorrow. Even if the Woodland Road club fails to gain even a point from a trip to face already-relegated Pontypridd Town, third-from-the-bottom Maesteg will be relegated if they don't win against seventh-placed Caerleon at Cold Bath Road.
The other good news is Croesyceiliog have a full squad to chose from with the exception of Michael Dewar, who is facing a six-match suspension after being recently sent off for the fourth time this season.
In Division Two, Tredegar received a double boost in midweek when relegation rivals Troedyhriw and Treharris Athletic both lost - the latter 5-2 at Cwmbran Celtic on Wednesday.
However second-from-the-bottom Tredegar are at Llangeinor, who are 13th of 18, knowing at the very least they will probably have to win two of their three remaining games to stay up.
But while Croesyceiliog and full-strength Tredegar may not have their fate sealed tomorrow, Excelsiors are almost certain to drop through the Division Three trap door by the end of the afternoon.
Excelsiors prop up the whole league with only 18 points from 31 outings and even if they win all three of their remaining games, a hugely inferior goal difference will almost certainly count against them.
Excelsiors will give fitness tests to several players ahead of their away match against the team immediately above them, Morriston Town, who are already relegated Back in Division One and Caerleon's 2-1 win at Cwmbran on Wednesday kept them ahead in the race to finish as the county's highest-placed club.
Goals from Chris Jones and former Crow Wayne Jepson earned manager Brendan Dowd's side the victory with Tidiany Kone grabbing a late consolation for the home side.
For the visit of Maesteg, Dowd will not be able to finalise his squad until the day of the match and his hoping for the return of several players from injury and unavailability.
YMCA are only one place and three points behind Caerleon and have two matches in hand, but must put last Saturday's 5-0 home drubbing at the hands of title-chasing Goytre United firmly out of their minds if they are to gain a positive result at sixth-placed Bryntirion Athletic.
Manager Mark Coldrick reports striker Aaron Stewart is doubtful with a groin strain and that Robert Wigmore (ankle) has joined Alex Stewart (knee) on the long-term injury list.
Caldicot Town enjoyed a reasonable first season back in the top flight and they could move up to 11th of 18 with success over visiting 14th-placed Pontardawe Town.
However they will be without a trio of regulars with David Lloyd and Wayne Morley both suspended and goalkeeper Andrew Delve unavailable.
Cwmbran have endured a torrid first campaign back at the level following relegation from the top-flight Principality Welsh Premier League.
And even though they welcome back brothers Craig and Richard Lane from suspension, they face a mighty task to move up from 12th when they travel to face leaders Dinas Powys.
Llanwern have suffered more than most from injuries and unavailability this season, but, remarkably, they could still end the campaign with a top-six finish.
However it doesn't come much harder than playing away against a Bettws side which only needs a point to be crowned Division Two champions - especially considering manager Laurence Owen is minus eight regulars.
Out for various different reasons are Michael Binning, Carl Bough, Matthew Currie, Steve Perszewski, Troy Quarterley, Rhys Redman, Greg Taylor and Gareth Wysome - although Steve Stinton and Mike Vaux could return from unavailability.
Cwmbran Celtic, whose goals in that 5-2 home win over Treharris came from Owen Llewellyn, Luke Sallis, Craig Cheedy, Liam Palmer and Sean Matthews, are not in action.
Mathematically, full-strength Aberbargoed Buds can still clinch promotion from Division Three, but realistically they, after earlier this season being relegation candidates, will be delighted with moving up one position from seventh during their final four matches.
The Buds should account for visiting Ystradgynlais, who retained their divisional status by drawing 3-3 on Wednesday at Monmouth Town, whose goals came from Matthew Bowen (2) and Simon Wookey.
Ninth-placed Monmouth are without a match this weekend, but can not be overtaken tomorrow by full-strength Risca United, who will start 11th of 18 at AFC Llwydcoed.
One place and three points behind Risca are Goytre, who wrap up their fixtures by visiting promotion-seeking Newcastle Emlyn Goytre, who scored via Rob Surtees in Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Llwydcoed, are liable to be without several unavailable players, including Graham Mason, for the long trip while Adam Roberts misses out with an ankle strain.
Tomorrow's fixtures Division One: Bryntirion Athletic v Newport YMCA, Caerleon v Maesteg Park Athletic, Caldicot Town v Pontardawe Town, Dinas Powys v Cwmbran Town, Pontypridd Town v Croesyceiliog Division Two: Bettws v Llanwern, Llangeinor v Tredegar Town Division Three: AFC Llwydcoed v Risca United, Aberbargoed Buds v Ystradgynlais, Morriston Town v Abertillery Excelsiors, Newcastle Emlyn v Goytre
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article