So near, yet so Spar...

 

Ten points clear with two games to play would normally be enough of a buffer for any manager to start planning the celebrations, but the Cookson’s open top bus (if there is one?) hasn’t been booked yet, with Llanrhaeadr hanging on in there with a whopping five games in hand.

 

And following a nail biting round of midweek matches when both sides were fortunate to clinch full points, Pryce has been around the game long enough not to take anything for granted.

 

“We didn’t put our chances away midweek and had to hang on in the end,” he admitted ahead of their penultimate match against Dolgellau. “I can’t call it at the minute. Obviously we need to worry about winning our two remaining games and then see what Llanrhaeadr do.”

 

Pryce has the luxury of choosing from a full squad of 18 this weekend with Shane Davies returning to the reckoning.

 

Llanrhaeadr meanwhile entertain Bow Street following their stoppage time win over Waterloo Rovers in midweek. Carno will look to keep the pressure on the leading two against Presteigne while Waterloo Rovers travel to Llanidloes. Dyffryn Banw travel to Tywyn Bryncrug.

 

Montgomery, barring a miracle of Jesus Christ proportions, are promoted to Division One and another win will all but guarantee the Division Two title. But this weekend they take a break from their hectic league schedule with a quarter final league cup match against Rhosgoch (1pm kick off).

 

Manager Clive McNamee has paid tribute to his troops who have continued to get better as the end of season draws to a close to prove they will be a force to be reckoned with next season in Division One.

“One more point will ensure we are going up as champions,” said the boss. “We can now concentrate on the cup games coming up. I am absolutely delighted with the way the lads have applied themselves this season. We only have a small squad of 16 but they have re-arranged their personal lives to ensure they have been available for games, so we have their families to thank for that as well.

 

“We have kept to our footballing principles throughout knowing that this philosophy would bear fruit and I'm delighted to see it has. We had one or two doubters at the early stage of the season but it’s come right in the end. We still have so much to play for. We dearly want to go up as champions and are still in both league cups and the Mont Cup.”

 

 

Technogroup Welshpool make their final Huws Gray Alliance home appearance tomorrow before being relegated to Spar football next season.

 

Manager Chris Herbert has issued a ‘back me or I’m off’ warning to the beleaguered club who look set for a turbulent summer fight for survival.

 

Mid Wales rivals Caersws will be in town to wave them off and Herbert will have the rare opportunity to pick from a full squad if Jack Pickering and Mike Sawtell are available.

 

Caersws meanwhile can look forward to a Central Wales Cup final after Lady Luck saw them through against Guilsfield in midweek.

 

The Bluebirds secured an unlikely win over Guilsfield who were guilty of being goal-shy but a win’s a win for manager Mike Evans.

 

“If Guilsfield had taken their chances they would be in the final but that’s football for you,” he said.

 

Meanwhile Guilsfield entertain Penrhyncoch on the back of two defeats and without young midfielders Rich Astley and Luke Francis.

 

 

The Mitsubishi Division Two title fight could go a long way towards being settled this weekend.

 

Technogroup Welshpool Reserves have finished their matches and remain four points clear, but chasing Llansantffraid Reserves and Llanfechain go head to head.