THE NEW SEASON STARTS!

By TERRY ALLDAY

This weekend sees the start of the 2023-2024 SW Alliance League - and a new structure that will guarantee a competitive season!

The season kicked-off on Friday 11th August with Pencoed Athletic BGC Vs Aber Valley - two clubs that are fully expected to be in the mix for promotion at the end of the season. The game ended in a 1 nil win for Aber Valley after Pencoed missed a stoppage time penalty to equalise. A great end-to-end competitive game under the lights at the SDM Stadium, a good crowd and the standard is set for this season's Premier Division!

Saturday 12th August sees promoted Treherbert BGC start their Premier campaign against last seasons’ 3rd placed Bridgend St whilst FC Cwmaman take on promoted Caerphilly Athletic. Cardiff Airport and Llanrumney Utd is a “pick ‘em” game as will be former Ardal rival Dinas Powys Vs Ton Pentre which leaves Tonyrefail BGC Vs Porthcawl Town Athletic who both will be looking to improve on last season season.

In the Championship Div 2 champions Llantwit Fardre open their campaign against Aberdare Town - a game that will be featured on GTFM - the RCT’s community radio station - Garw SBGC are rebuilding and play Aberfan who had some fantastic cup exploits last season. Treforest Vs Vale Utd will definitely be a close contest and Ely Rangers who will be looking for a swift Premier return face newly promoted AFC Wattstown.

Division 1 West opens with Tata Steel Utd hoping to resurrect their form against Cardiff Bay Warriors (formerly AFC Butetown). Cwm Welfare will open their new facilities against Canton Rangers while Bettws entertain Grange Albion. Two of the T7 promoted clubs meet when Afan Utd play Holton Rd at Afan Lidos Ground with Cogan Coronation face old D2 rivals Llangeinor.

In Division 1 East Cwmbach Royal Stars face AFC Whitchurch - a guaranteed close and competitive game with Penrhiwfer facing St Josephs (who are under new “management” this season). WJO Cup Winners Cardiff Cosmos face one of the promotion favourites AFC Penrhiwceiber and promoted Cwrt Rawlin play their first Alliance game at Tremorfa Park Vs St Albans. Ton & Gelli BGC will be looking for improvements this season and open their season against Tongwynlais leaving RCTs Penygraig Utd playing Nelson Cavaliers at Ely Field

In addition this season the SW Alliance League and WJO Cup are also trialling “Sin Bins”!

Fixtures are on the Cymru Football App and on the website
https://www.southwalesallianceleague.co.uk/match-info/fixtures

Where next?

JD Welsh Cup Qualifying Round 2 This weekend sees 18 SWAL go into QR2
FAW Cup & Trophy Draws The draws were made on Friday 4th August SWAL teams games are below

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