LOCAL FOOTBALL

PENCOED Athletic will be bidding for a seasonal treble over Garw this Saturday when the sides meet at Blandy Park in Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier Division, writes Tony Poole.

With leaders Porthcawl Town in delayed South Wales Senior Cup action at home to Cwm Rhondda, it gives the Felindre Road side a chance to only trail the Seasiders by three points - and also have three games in hand.

During the two previous encounters with the Blandy boys this term, Pencoed won the home league encounter, 5-0, and then carded an even more emphatic 8-0 success at Blandy in the league’s W J Owen Cup.

However, second-placed Pencoed haven’t been in action since February 1 when they pulled off a superb 6-1 home win over Cefn Cribwr.

And since then Pencoed boss Mark Powell has again been active in the transfer market, signing midfield ace Mike Thomas from Sully Sports.

Thomas also possesses bags of Welsh League experience, having spent six seasons at Pontypridd Town.

He’s followed in the footsteps of striker Darren Townsend and midfield man Nathan FletcherWilliams, who have also recently exited Sully.

“Mike Thomas is a good signing, as he offers something different through an ability to run through walls, and will put his head in where it really hurts,” explained Pencoed Ath chief Powell.

“He’s looked good in training and will go into the squad for Garw on Saturday, but it might take time for him to reach full match fitness.’’

Last Saturday, Pencoed were due to be involved in a top-of-thetable home encounter with Cardiff Draconians only for Storm Dennis to intervene.

But the biggest threat to Pencoed winning the title might well be mounted by Baglan Dragons, who are unbeaten in 13 league matches and hold fourth place in the table.

Earlier in the month, the Evans Bevans boys booked a place next month in the FAW Trophy semifinals against Welsh League side Penydarren Boys Club on the back of a superb 4-0 home win over Denbigh Town.

Baglan have also boosted their squad, and recruited ex-Welsh League men.

Meanwhile, Cefn Cribwr, who last time out steadied a rocking boat with a 3-1 home win over leaders Porthcawl Town, have home advantage this Saturday over Ely Rangers, who last term lost Welsh League status.

It will form a first meeting between the clubs, as the match last October in Wenvoe was called off.

The postponed theme also ran through last weekend’s South Wales Alliance programme with all 17 matches blown away by Storm Dennis.

The big casualty in Division Two was the derby clash between Llangeinor and old pals Maesteg Park at Llangeinor Park.

Park hope to resume action on

Saturday in welcoming former Welsh League side Llantwit Fardre to Tudor Park.

But if the January meeting at Tonteg Park is anything to go by then it could be close, as Park struggled at times before emerging with a 2-0 success via two goals from top scorer Steffan Roberts (one from the penalty spot).

Earlier this month, the Llynfi Valley side replaced Canton Rangers at the top after gaining a 3-1 victory over St Josephs at Maes y Coed.

However, Llangeinor could do Maesteg Park a massive favour on Saturday if they down secondplaced Canton Rangers in the Welsh capital.

With the Alliance season having moved into the second portion of the season, Danny Woolfenden of Cefn Cribwr has danced his way to the top of the local goal-scoring chart on the back of a healthy haul of 23 goals.

However, Darren Townsend (Pencoed Ath) along with the Maesteg Park duo of Steffan Roberts and Ashton White are in striking distance.