Vale of Glamorgan Senior Football League Preview (24/8)
The brand new smell of a fresh season, a clean slate for all and a sense of optimism fills the air. The Vale league returns with now two competitive and diverse leagues of 12 and 13 teams, somewhat giving the league a fresh coat of paint. This weekend the 2019/20 gets under way and here we take a look and give some (probably bad and way off) predictions.
What better place to start than the reigning champions of the Vale, Barry Athletic. Chasing a third successive championship, Athletic start off at their temporary home at Bryn Y Don against Cogan Coronation. Athletic will be looking to set an early season marker but do not look past Cogan who are a good outfit. Cogan will want to establish themselves as a solid premier division side and will be tough opposition. However, look for Athletic to by a goal in a high scoring affair.
AFC Rhoose are some people’s favourites for the league title this coming campaign and they open up against last season bottom side St Athan. Rhoose will need to hit the ground running and look for them to collect three points at Ceri Road.
Cowbridge Town host Island Marine in an intriguing opening encounter. Both sides are in a similar boat of wanting to establish themselves in the upper echelons of the division, maybe so much so that they cancel each other out, we’re saying a draw at the Bear Field.
Sully Sports welcome Cardiff Airport to Swanbridge Road. Reports suggest Airport have looked impressive during preseason and could be a real surprise package this term. Sully are rebuilding after a disappointing season last year by their standards. We have an away win here to get the Airport off to a flyer.
Yet another interesting opening day encounter sees Holton Road take on Penarth Town. Holton steamrolled division one last term on their way to winning a treble of trophies. Penarth had an inconsistent season but are a force to be reckoned with on their day. A tough one to call, but we think a one goal win for Holton in a tight affair.
Finally in the Premier Division, Cadoxton Imps host Tynewydd. Both sides pushed each other tooth and nail in division one last season with Imps just pipping Tynny to second spot. Their last encounter ended in a 2-1 Imps win but we think this will end all square.
In Division One, what an opener we have. Rhoose Social are a breakaway from AFC Rhoose that made up the bulk of the second team that won the now defunct division two last term. Now, standing as their own entity they take on AFC Rhoose B. This should be an excellent contest and we think the leagues newest club will come out on top.
St Athan B were runners up in division two last campaign and welcome the new Holton Road B side to the community centre field. Holton B are an unknown force and this one is hard to call so we’ll sit on the fence with an entertaining draw.
Island Marine B take on Penarth Town B, Marine B had a disappointing season last year but we’re always competitive and look for more of the same here. Penarth B finished the season strong and we expect them to take the W here.
Barry Vikings very almost took the division two title last year before eventually finishing third and Barry Athletic B just needed consistency, therefore a point a piece is on the cards here.
Cwm Talwg host Vale United, United returning to the Vale league as a reserve side to their Alliance league team. Of course the original Vale Utd took the league by storm rising the ranks quickly to win promotion. Cwm Talwg found their feet at the end of last term and will be a tough battle, if this United are like the previous VOG incarnation then look for them to take the win.
And finally, Cadoxton Barry take on a somewhat resurgent SP Billy. SP have undergone a face lift over the summer and many see them doing well this year. Cadoxton Barry made a cup final last year and can be dangerous on their day but we’ll lean toward a SP Billy victory here.
It will be excellent to have Vale football back again and all the sides seem to be rating to go. Check back here Sunday for a full round up of all the games. Good luck to all sides and here’s to a brilliant season, here we go again.