Merthyr Town have nine fixtures left in their quest to qualify for the Southern League Premier Division play-offs.
Manager Gavin Williams and his team will still hope they can produce a winning run and challenge for the title, but it will take a major effort for any of the leading clubs to stop leaders Chippenham Town.
The Martyrs still have to play the Bluebirds of Chippenham away, but they are focused only on their trip to Bedfordshire and Saturday’s clash with Biggleswade Town in Bedfordshire (3pm).
They have four fixtures during March, two at home and two away.
Merthyr follow the trip to Biggleswade with matches against Weymouth (home), Chippenham (away) and Cambridge (home).
The Welsh club suffered a first home defeat of the season last weekend, going down 2-1 against Frome Town, but will put that out if their minds to ensure they are ready fir the Biggleswade challenge.
The Martyrs are now fifth in the Premier Division table, having been pushed down by Leamington’s 2-0 midweek win against Chesham. That lifted Leamington into second place, although there another of the play-off chasing teams, Hitchin Town, suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Dunstable.
Williams will want his Merthyr team to stay defensively solid at Biggleswade, while top scorer Kayne McLaggon is out to improve his 15-goals tally. Ian Traylor and Ryan Prosser are the prolific scorers for Merthyr.
Scott Barrow is ruled out of the Merthyr team because he starts a three-match suspension.
EvoStik Southern League
Premier Division – top six only
All teams play 46 fixtures – champions promoted, 2nd-4th teams in play-offs
Pl GD Pts
1 Chippenham Town 37 +35 79
2 Leamington 35 +35 72
3 Hitchin Town 36 +32 72
4 Slough Town 35 +29 70
5 Merthyr Town 37 +36 69
6 Banbury United 36 +22 61
Merthyr Town’s remaining fixtures this season
March
Saturday 4 v Biggleswade Town (away, 3pm)
Saturday 11 v Weymouth (home, 3pm)
Saturday 18 v Chippenham Town (away, 3pm)
Saturday 25 v Cambridge City (home, 3pm)
April
Saturday 1 v Kings Stanley (away, 3pm)
Saturday 8 v St Neots Town (away, 3pm)
Saturday 15 v St Ives Town (3pm)
Monday 17 v Redditch United (away, 3pm)
Saturday 22 v Hayes and Yeading (home, 3pm)
Entry prices to Merthyr Town matches at Penydarren Park: Adults £10; Senior Citizens (65 and over) plus Cardiff City/Swansea City season ticket holders £8; Students (16-18 years of age) £7; Under 16 £1; Under 6 Free.
