Top flight already looks a division of two halves
AFTER six sets of fixtures in the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division One, there’s already clear water between the top-eight and bottom-eight clubs.
Lee John’s Goytre United lead the way, with a maximum of 15 points from their five games played. Taffs Well are in eighth spot with 10 points from six played and they stand four points clear of Craig Hughes’ Cambrian and Clydach, who are ninth with a six-point total.
Caerau Ely are bottom, with only one point from six played, so there are five points between the top eight and the same amount between the bottom eight.
The big guns like Llanelli, Haverfordwest, and Penybont will all be in the reckoning for the title and two massive clubs at this level, Afan Lido and Port Talbot, seem both to have come to terms with the Welsh League.
On their day, Goytre Gwent and Taffs Well are a match for anyone, so any of the top-half of the pack chasing Goytre United will fancy their chances of being involved in a title shake-up.
Cambrian would most probably welcome mid-table security next May, while Undy Athletic, Cwmamman United and Briton Ferry would be pleased to survive the top flight in their first season.
Cwmbran Celtic and Monmouth Town will look to improve to a midtable finish and the present bottom two of the table, Caerau Ely and Ton Pentre, will be looking for rapid improvements in form to secure safety.
The Bulldogs will do well to climb out of the basement when they travel the short journey to Rhiw Dda to play Taffs Well tomorrow. Lee Bridgeman will see this as a must-win after last Saturday’s 3-1 away defeat at Penybont.
The undoubted game of the day is at Stebonheath Park as second-placed Llanelli host leaders Goytre United.
Caerau Ely are riding a storm at the moment and will look for some relief at Cambrian and Clydach.
A fast-improving Afan Lido will look to striker Mark Jones, who is the league’s Harry Kane at the moment, to see off the challenge of Cwmamman United, Jones will be looking to make it three hat-tricks in a row and is in scorching form at the moment.
Port Talbot have scored 15 goals in their last three games and will start as warm favourites at Undy Athletic. Briton Ferry and Penybont open the division’s fixtures tonight at The Ferry. Aberdare Town are hosting Garden Village tonight to get matters underway in Division Two.
Dominic Broad’s Pontypridd Town will look to climb into the top three when they host Ammanford. STM Sports and Llantwit Major are both still undefeated and will look to stay that way against Aberbargoed and AFC Llwydcoed, respectively, where home advantage should help.
Ben Luck is still looking for his first victory at the helm of Dinas Powys and tomorrow may be a chance for his first three-point haul as Dinas host alsowinless West End at The Murch.
Trethomas Bluebirds open up affairs in Division Three at Ystrad Mynach tonight when they host Panteg. Craig Dale’s Bridgend Street host Treowen Stars at the Willows.
Ely Rangers will look for a return to form after suffering a 2-1 cup defeat at the hands of Alliance League Grange Albion in the FAW Trophy last weekend. The Rangers travel to Trefelin. Pontyclun are on the road to Newport City.