WITH the majority of games during the first half of the Costcutter League season having been completed many followers believe the Division One championship race concerns only three clubs and there is a strong belief that runaway leaders Llandysul are on the way to lift the title for the second time - the first was way back in season 1948-49 when Cilgerran finished runners-up.

As it stands the unbeaten pacesetters are 12 points clear of Lampeter Town with Newcastle Emlyn a further two points adrift in third and after defeat at the hands of Llandysul under the Parc Emlyn lights on Friday the latter's chance of capturing the coveted silverware has receded.

A top three finish would suffice for Emlyn as it would entitle the Reds, who have excellent facilities, to apply for a second stint in the Welsh League Division Three.

The league programme resumes this weekend after a blank Saturday due to the Wales versus Serbia World Cup qualifier in Cardiff with Llandysul, Lampeter and Emlyn expected to bank maximum points.

The leaders, who have also finished as league runners-up on three occasions take on bottom but one New Quay at Parc Arthur and anything but a tenth win on the bounce for the high-flyers would come as a huge upset.

Lampeter go to Parc Puw to tackle bottom of the pile Bargod Rangers - Terry Jones's charges have already beaten the basement boys 9-2 this term and will be expected to complete a double.

When Felinfach and Emlyn met in the league in September the Milkmen put up a creditable performance before going down 2-1 but at Parc Emlyn the Aeron Valley side will have to pull out something special to get anything from the game and a comfortable Emlyn win is seen as the likely outcome.

After the top three come Crannog, champions for the past two seasons Cardigan Town and Cilgerran Rovers, all three appearing to be out of the race with Town most unlikely to complete a hat-trick of title wins.

Crannog face a demanding assignment at School Field against rejuvenated St Dogmaels who are in a purple patch and could bank maximum points while the clash between Rovers and Cardigan at Parc y Dre is hard to call and could end all square.