Vale Football League Preview 21/9
It’s the first round of the SWFA Senior Cup this Saturday, the cup is for teams in the top division of local leagues in South Wales and is open to the SWFA Alliance league sides. The Vale league is well represented with AFC Rhoose, Cowbridge Town, Island Marine and Penarth Town receiving byes to round two in a few weeks time, while four more sides compete in the first round on Saturday.
Tynewydd travel to play Bridgend & District league leaders Bettws, the former Welsh league side are on their way back and sit top of their league after 3 game having scored 23 goals, a tough task awaits but we believe Tynny showed what thy can do by reaching the Intermediate Cup final last season and think they can advance here.
Cadoxton Imps have made waves in the transfer market this week making two huge signings from Barry Athletic really underlining them as major threat this season. Imps travel to Pantyscallog Villiage Juniors, who sit fifth in the Merthyr Tydfil league although have only played one game. It’ll be a great trip for Imps on a fine playing surface and we think Imps are heading for round two.
Barry Athletic play Church Village of the Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley league, Church Village have one win from three this season and the winners go through to play Island Marine, so we are backing Athletic to make it an all Barry tie in round two.
Holton Road travel to AFC Aberaman who sit bottom of the Aberdare Valley league after three games. Holton Road won the Intermediate Cup last year, the Europa League to this Champions League, and that will set them in good stead as we think they progress.
Let’s hope all the Vale sides advance and go as far as possible with maybe a Vale team lifting the trophy in May.
There are league games this weekend too in both the Premier Division and Division One.
League leaders Island Marine welcome Penarth Town to Maslin Park, Marine have been in impervious form so far this season and have a perfect record, Penarth picked up their first win of the season last week, albeit in the cup. Look for Island Marine to continue their top form.
St Athan host Cardiff Airport, St Athan secures their third win of the season last week and will be buoyed but Airport come in off a heavy defeat and will looking to get right back on track, we’ll say point a piece here.
AFC Rhoose have started the season well but have drawn their last two, they welcome Cogan Coronation to Ceri Road who have one win in five but are a well organised good footballing side. However, we think Rhoose get back to winning ways here.
In Division One, leaders AFC Rhoose B are on a roll but welcome Vale United in what will be a real test of their title ambitions and say this is a draw.
In what could be the match of the day Cadoxton Barry take on Island Marine B, both sides have had excellent starts to their respective campaigns and we think this is a high scoring draw.
Vale Madrid have finally hit form winning their last two, SP Billy still chase their first points and are improving, but we say Madrid get the points here.
Penarth Town B take on St Athan B, Penarth B will be looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat while St Athan B are still searching for their first win, so Penarth B take the victory here.
Holton Road B picked up a fine win last week but play fifth place Barry Vikings. Vikings have had a solid start to the season and look for them to bounce back from their cup exit last week with a win.
And finally, fresh of their huge cup win over Barry Athletic last week, Rhoose Social play Cwm Talwg. Talwg have one win in five so look for Social to win here and start climbing the table.
Check back here Sunday for a full round up of all the action.