Clubs in Alliance
FOOTBALL
NEXT season Highadmit South Wales Alliance Division One is set to be dominated by local football clubs, writes Tony Poole.
With teams now entering the business end of their seasons, promotion and relegation issues over the coming weeks will determine how many Bridgend clubs will compete at this level.
At present it seems as if four clubs are nailed on while there is scope for another two to join the party.
Cornelly United and Porthcawl Town Athletic currently strut their stuff at this level while runaway unbeaten Division Two pacemakers Garw are odds-on favourites to move up.
They might well be joined by Cefn Cribwr, who are making a determined effort to go up alongside boys.
But the other side of the equation of course is relegation, and former Welsh League champions Betws look doomed in the Alliance Premier Division.
The North Site club, who lost Welsh League status last season, have failed to rebuild, and will surely move down a further level on the FAW Pyramid.
The other possible players next season in a division – dubbed by some as Bridgend Alliance One – are Llangynwyd Rangers.
However, the Llan Siro boys could still pull clear of trouble, and that remains the hope in the Llynfi Valley camp.
But should they creep under a three-strong Premier Division relegation dotted line, then at least a plethora of derby clashes and less travel next winter will the Blandy cushion initial pointment.
Meanwhile, the battle to get out of Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division Three is warming up over the next week.
This Saturday, Windmill Lane will be the scene of a much talked about clash on social media between second-placed Llantwit Major and the team one place below them Caerau.
But it doesn’t end there, as four days later they meet again at the Riverboat in a clash that will also impact on two promotion slots.
St Mellons side STM Sports lead the way, 23 fixtures yielding 48 points; Llantwit Major have completed just 17 matches for 42 points while Caerau in 21 matches have got 41 points.
So, it’s no wonder social media has come alive with the prospect of these two key clashes between Llantwit Major and Caerau. disap-