Champions Pencoed
THE long wait for Pencoed Athletic Football Club came to an end last week when they were eventually declared Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier Division champions, writes Tony Poole.
It’s the biggest achievement that the Felindre Road side have recorded in an 89-year existence, and in the process they became the first Bridgend County club to lift the prestigious title.
A decision made last month by the FAW to curtail the 2019/20 season led to final placings being decided on pointsper-game, and the South Wales Alliance were among the last in Wales to declare their champions.
The final Premier Division table read: Pencoed Ath 2.56 points, Cardiff Dracs 2.33, Porthcawl Town 2.32, Baglan Dragons 2.27, Canton Liberal Club 2.25, Blaenrhondda 1.65, Cefn Cribwr 1.54, FC Cwmaman 1.47, Garw 1.26, Merthyr Saints 1.25, Trebanog 1.22, Grange Albion 1.05, Caerphilly Ath 0.84, Ely Rangers 0.77, Caerau 0.24 and Sully Sports 0.00.
Sadly, no celebrations were attached to this remarkable achievement, resulting in manager Mark Powell sharing a quiet bottle of bubbly with son Dylan at his home in Pencoed.
“Obviously, there were mixed feelings on how we won the championship, and everyone was denied a possible nailbiting conclusion between five clubs,” explained Powell, who is now in his 10th year as Pencoed boss.
“But I couldn’t be more proud of every player in what has to be our best all-round squad while the backing of coaches Craig Hopkins and Brian Lamont along with hard-working secretary Peter Bowen and chairman Mark Rodgers were also vital ingredients in us winning the Alliance.”
Powell then pointed to confidence he always had in Pencoed achieving this level of success.
“When I was growing up in Pencoed, some people laughed at me for suggesting there was enough talent around for the club to one day reach the Welsh League.
“So, the class of 2020 have created history in achieving this goal.’’
It was also celebration time at Maesteg Park, who won Division Two, but they along with third-placed Vale Utd now await a decision this week by the FAW on promotion and relegation issues from Tier Four downwards.
The Park Arabs closed things out on 2.61 points from Canton Rangers 2.30, Vale Utd 2.18, Tata Steel Utd 2.13 and Llangeinor 1.60.
In the case of Betws, who were crowned Bridgend & District Premier League champions way back in February, they await a decision on whether the SWFA will stage play-offs to get into the Alliance next season.
Llanharry won Division One while FC Llanharan took Division Two.