The big story last week came off the pitch with Glyncoch Spartans withdrawing from the league. A development, in itself, not surprising given how much the Spartans have struggled this season; although it is always sad news to hear of teams folding. However, it has made significant differences to how things stand in the Premier Division with all results involving Glyncoch removed.
At the top, Glyncoch’s withdrawl means Ynysybwl have effectively won the Premier Division title and a possible shot at promotion to the South Wales Alliance League. They need two points from four games to make it a mathematical certainty following a 4-2 win over AFC Tir-Y-Berth at Ynysangharad Park on Saturday. Tir-Y-Berth are now second off the bottom, with one game to play. The five point gap to 7th means they cannot finish any higher than 8th.
Cascade YC are now bottom, they were beaten 3-0 at Church Village last weekend and Village now have a decent cushion over the bottom two sides with games in hand. Cwrt Rawlin beat Llanbradach 5-3 but both sides shouldn’t have any concerns about possible relegation at the end of the season.
In Division One, Caerphilly Athletic 2nds moved into top spot with a 4-1 home win over Pontypridd. Cilfynydd only managed a 1-0 win over Nelson Cavaliers, but at this stage of the season it is the three points that matter most. They are level on points with Athletic and two points clear of both Trecenydd and Hopkinstown; the latter remain in the potential promotion mix with a 5-2 home win over Llantwit Fardre 2nds.
At the moment, promotion and relegation remains notionally on the cards but there have been rumours that next season the league may condense to one division. It would seem this may be a response to teams withdrawing and several sides have seemingly struggled to field teams throughout the season. Ultimately, this will be decided at the end of the season depending on the number of sides left in the league.
Looking ahead to this weekend, there are no Premier Division fixtures with the Bernard Martin Cup semi finals taking centre stage. Church Village and Caerphilly Athletic 2nds meet at Upper Boat in a replay of their Greyhound Cup semi final. Church Village were 3-1 victors in that previous encounter. Ynysybwl will look to continue their pursuit of a league and cup treble when they take on Talbot Green at Talbot Park.
In Division One, Cilfynydd are scheduled at the time of writing to play Caerphilly Argyle at Aneurin Park. If that game goes ahead, a point will be enough for Cilfynydd to move to the top of the division. The two other fixtures see Pontypridd travel to Caerphilly for the third consecutive Saturday, this time away to Aber Valley 2nds. There is a local derby with Treforest 2nds hosting Llantwit Fardre 2nds at the White Tips.
