Cymru Premier 'good to go' as league resumes with Newtown v Penybont

Cymru Premier title holders Connah's Quay beat former champions The New Saints 2-0 in December 2020

General manager Gwyn Derfel says the Cymru Premier is "good to go" ahead of its resumption on Tuesday, 2 March.

The first fixture is Newtown versus Penybont in a 20:00 GMT kick-off.

Wales' domestic leagues have been mothballed since 22 December because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Cymru Premier and the Welsh Premier Women's League are both now able to resume after having their elite status reinstated, however the Nathaniel MG Cup will not take place this season.

"We're in a privileged position," Derfel told the BBC Radio Wales Breakfast programme.

"We've been preparing on a three-week cycle so player fitness shouldn't be a problem, especially as 80% of our players are contracted professionals now so they were allowed to train.

"We are aware of the responsibilities that we have being allowed to return during level four. All the clubs have to abide by stringent policies."

Elite status is given by the National Sports Group (NSG), which includes the Welsh Government and Sport Wales.

While the top divisions are resuming, the second-tier men's Cymru North and South leagues have not had elite status reinstated.

There will be a full fixture list in the men's league on Saturday, 6 March, with one game in the WPWL the following day.

The Cymru Premier is divided into two phases, with the league split after phase one.

"We've got phase one to complete by Easter weekend," said Derfel.

"Penybont as it happens have got eight fixtures so they will be playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday Tuesday, but there are some clubs who have only got five fixtures

"It is a more challenging schedule than usual but we are not asking any more of the clubs than in the National League in England. We have had productive meetings with representatives of the clubs about the schedule, so we are good to go."

Former champions The New Saints currently lead the table having played 17 of their 22 phase one fixtures.

Cardiff Met lead the Welsh Women's Premier League after five games played.

The two second-tier leagues had been due to restart in January before the latest lockdown having not begun their campaigns.

With only some of the first round fixtures of the Nathaniel MG Cup have been completed, the National League Board decided to curtail the competition as there is insufficient time left in which to complete it.

Last year's men's Cymru Premier title and relegation were decided on a points-per-game basis after football's suspension in March, with Connah's Quay Nomads declared winners.