I WAS in favour of a winter break for the Cymru Premier, having started a bit later this season due to the pandemic – but 10 weeks was a bit much!

But I must say that it’s been a brave decision by the FAW to carry on as normal until the end of the season, with all clubs fulfilling their 32 games and then the play-offs.

I’m going to stick to my guns and predict that the team currently in third place, Bala Town, will win the league.

But they must win on Saturday, against The New Saints, in Sgorio’s first live televised match since the restart.

What a match we have in store on S4C! Both teams are professional and the players rely on their football salaries for their livelihoods, and have therefore been training throughout lockdown.

It’s a crucial game for both sides, but more so for Bala, if they are going to win the league for the first time ever this season.

With the season set to finish as planned in late May or early June, there is plenty of time left for teams to escape the drop. But I have a feeling that if the tier two leagues do not restart their campaign soon, it could be that there is no relegation from the Cymru Premier this season.

It’s interesting that the Welsh Premier Women’s League are also ready to kick-start their campaign, with all eyes on the league’s young stars, who have a bright future ahead.

With the appointment of a new manager for the national team imminent, the players will be very keen to create a good impression.

It is a little sad to see Jayne Ludlow leave, but as with any manager, it’s a case of pastures new for her and she can leave with her head held high after her achievements as Wales manager.

A new challenge lies ahead for her, I’m sure, and who’s to say that she will not be the first female manager to break through and manage a men’s team, with one of the clubs in the English pyramid or even the Cymru Premier?

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We are only a few weeks into the second half of the National League season and so much has changed for Wrexham, both as a club and as a community, since my last column.

The takeover and the performances on the pitch are the two most important things, but it’s been fantastic to see Rob and Ryan putting their money where their mouth is and reaching out to bring the football club and its supporters closer together.

It has definitely had a positive response on the pitch, and under Dean Keates, this team can be seriously considered as real contenders for promotion this season.

What is happening off the pitch is having a serious effect on it.

Everyone pulling in the same direction is a must for any successful football club. Already in the top six, and not just looking above them, but staring at that top spot.

There are exciting times ahead, on and off the pitch. There is anticipation in the air but also a stable environment around the place. This could be the season for that long-overdue promotion everyone.

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Well, there were people thinking that the end was here – and that Gareth Bale could be facing his final curtain, but that is the stage that a player of his quality thrives upon.

Clearly, the only thing he was saying to his friends was: I will be back! And boy, hasn’t he shown that over the last couple of weeks for Spurs.

It’s like he’s planned his course for the season, to peak just in time for the Wales international matches at the end of the month, and the Euros this summer.

Lots of people were doubting him, but Gareth ate it all up and spat it back out because he is going to do it his way.

I can’t wait for the big guns to come out – Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, mixing it up with our young whipper-snappers once again, against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

Malcolm Allen is a part of S4C’s Sgorio team. Watch live coverage of TNS v Bala on Sgorio from 4.45pm on Saturday, on S4C. For latest Welsh football news and Cymru Premier highlights, follow @sgorio and @S4Cchwaraeon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.