A WIN at Pontardawe last Thursday relegated the hosts while a defeat at Caerau virtually handed the Cardiff based outfit the Welsh League title as Monmouth entered the final stages of a satisfactory season.

At Pontardawe Town were at times unplayable taking a third minute lead when Nick Harrhy smacked home a volley and adding to it just before half time as Eliot Evans finished a superb move by consummately lobbing the 'keeper.

In between times and until near the end when Ashley Ford sealed victory with another fine move to cap a terrific personal performance the 120 mile round trip seemed worth it for players and supporters alike.

The 100 or so miles to Cardiff and back last Saturday however were a reverse of that experience as  Caerau, needing two wins from three to clinch the title and riding on the back of a win at Penypound in March, scored in the first minute to end any hopes of a seventh clean sheet in nine for the Kingfishers.

On a warm day, with a dry pitch and a strong wind against a direct and powerful unit such as Caerau, this was always going to a tough day out in the capital and it proved even tougher for the spectators who for the most part endured a game of very little quality as neither side managed to get the ball on the mud for long enough to pass it with any degree of certainty that it would reach its destination. 

Caerau showed why they are in contention winning most of the personal battles and often getting decisions from a referee who seemed swayed more by the decibels of the appeals than the actual infringements, real or imagined. One such free kick conceded by Loftus on the edge of the area was dispatched beyond Matty Johns just before half time to make the Monmouth task almost impossible. 

Caerau simply had to keep Town away from their goal and use the wind to clear any sniff of danger and despite vain attempts by the Kingfishers midfield and forwards to engage the table toppers in a ground war that is exactly what the hosts did. Collins in the Caerau goal wasn't troubled throughout and bizarrely he tested Johns with a strike of his own from deep inside his own half that Johns had to tip over such was the dominance of the wind which at times made nonsense of any competition.

Caerau scored again late on with a breakaway goal to end any arguments as Smith rested key players and gambled on grabbing a lifeline and had much the better of the late exchanges.

The result means a win on Wednesday against a resurgent Taffs Well will be enough for the hosts while other results means that a south Wales side will be promoted to the Welsh Premier as both Cardiff Met or Haverfordwest have been awarded their domestic licence and one of whom will take up a top two place. The Kingfishers will realise that they are that close to achieving the Premier status - on the pitch at least. 

Town are in action This Saturday (25th) at Penypound against former Welsh premier side Afan Lido in a 2.30pm kick off.