Penarth need to get back on track or face a repeat of last term (From Penarth Times)

Penarth need to get back on track or face a repeat of last term

THIS SEASON really isn't like the last, and Penarth can be thankful for that, at least.

Having made a storming start to the season, for the second year running, the Seasiders hit their autumn slump at a time when all the teams around them seemed to be steaming ahead.

But that's just what happened last season, isn't it?

Last time it was six wins, and then they met the league leaders, lost, got knocked out of the cup and all of a sudden they were in the middle of December, and nine points off the promotion places.

Admittedly, they went on to win nine on the trot and claw their way back into contention, but then a catastrophic loss at Llantwit Major put paid to all that, as their rivals declined to blink.

This time around, Penarth seem to have ridden the slump - defeat at Penallta, knocked out of the cup and a dodgy home defeat against Cilfynydd, but guess what?

It's not so bad after all.

A solid return to form with a 31-19 win against Llandaff (notwithstanding 60 minutes AWOL in the middle of the game) and here they are a mere three points behind the leaders and everything to play for.

Admittedly this is because of inconsistent form on the part of their rivals, but the five league fixtures between now and Christmas offer the Seasiders a golden opportunity to establish themselves at the top of the pile, and set everyone else the target of keeping up with them.

This Saturday, they get the opportunity to set the record straight with Llantwit Major.

They shouldn't have lost there last season, and there's no good reason why they should fail this time around.

Llantwit have won only twice this season, a curious 15-3 defeat of contenders Bedlinog early on and a predictable 55-0 turning over of the unfortunate Dinas Powys.

Then comes the crunch point: a re-arranged fixture away at leaders Taffs Well.

They're not exactly there for the taking, but it's worth noting that they have yet to play a team outside the top four, and they've just lost their undefeated record at home to Cilfynydd.

Get those two out of the way, and it all starts to look pretty straightforward. Cowbridge, Penygraig and Dinas Powys, then the Christmas break. Can they do it?

Do we know what caused the slump in the first place, and has it all been put right?

Presumably 22 players in blue shirts will have the answers to all these questions when Saturday comes.