West End are going ahead with arbitration in a bid to retain the Welsh League third division championship. The Townhill side would surrender the title if a three-point deduction for playing an alleged ineligible player in a home game with Cwmamman is upheld.

The Football Association of Wales found them guilty, resulting in the Welsh League imposing a three-point deduction, but having learnt that an appeal was unsuccessful, they have decided to take things a stage further.

If West End lose out, Cambrian & Clydach would be crowned champions but the Swansea club would still be promoted along with third-place finishers Treharris.

No date has been announced for the arbitration meeting.
 

Saturday's Welsh League AGM in Maesteg failed to clear up the composure of next season's top flight.

One of the shortest meetings for many years, lasting barely an hour, threw up the possibility of 19 clubs competing in the first division next winter. Neath Athletic have been included on the provisional fixture list ahead of their appeal a week today against the Welsh Premiership's refusal to grant them promotion.

Many feel the Welsh League runners-up to Goytre United have a good case, and the appeal will coincide with ground improvements at Llandarcy Park being completed.

Doubt had also been cast on two former Welsh Premiership clubs - Barry Town and Grange Quins - being allocated places in the first division next term.

But Barry are now hopeful of returning to Jenner Park while Quins, who took voluntary relegation from the Welsh Premiership at the end of last season, have been given extra time to put their house in order.

The meeting confirmed Aberaman as the third promoted club from the second division, owing to third-placed Garw suffering a 33-point deduction.

So, if Neath's 11th-hour bid to get into the Welsh Premiership fails, the league has dispensation from the Welsh FA to go with 55 clubs - one more than stipulated.

The season gets under way a week earlier than normal on August 12, and will run until May 12, 2007.

None of the proposed rule changes from member clubs went through, but five from the management committee won approval.

The most noteworthy surrounded clubs withdrawing from the league - they now have until March 31 (as opposed to December 31) to give written notice without a fine.

However, clubs failing to strike a new date within 14 days of a postponed match will now be fined £50.

In summing up, league secretary Ken Tucker felt the close season has proved a difficult time for both the management team and some clubs.

He said: ''In the age of litigation, the Welsh League hasn't got off lightly and we have recently seen appeals from almost everywhere.

''It has often left us in an unenviable position, resulting in some disappointed clubs.''

Owing to an outstanding appeal surrounding West End, the destination of the third division championship has yet to be established.

Three clubs were welcomed into the Welsh League fold - Aberbargoed Buds, Llangeinor and Llansawel - while Blaenrhondda, Treowen and Penrhiwfer were all relegated.

Treasurer Kieran O'Connor reported an operating profit down on the previous year by £837 to £8,346.

This was mainly due to a reduction in sponsorship, while the bank balance was also hit by increased costs surrounding the addition of the youth division along with an expanded reserve division.

However, there are signs that the league will make an announcement on a new sponsor within the next few weeks to replace Macron, who pulled out halfway through a two-year deal.

TONY POOLE
 

Sarcastic cheers greeted the pairing of Ystradgynlais and Seven Sisters in the first round of next season's Shamrock Travel Cup.

The draw was made at the Welsh League AGM, and the pairing came just a fortnight after these third division rivals were heavily fined for an abandoned league game between the clubs at Ynyscedwyn Road on April 5. Pontardawe Town, losing finalists for the past two seasons, travel to Dinas Powys in one of four all top-flight clashes.

If Neath Athletic remain in the Welsh League they will host Monmouthshire side Goytre FC, while league champions Goytre United have home advantage over Garden Village.

Llansawel entertain Merthyr Saints, but it was another newcomer, Llangeinor, who hit the jackpot with a plum home tie against Ton Pentre.

Holders Penrhiwceiber welcome Cwmbran Celtic to the Glassbrook, while Briton Ferry at home to Cwmamman and Maesteg Park visiting Garw will form lively derby ties.

Full draw (ties to be played on September 9): Afan Lido v Newport YMCA, Ammanford v Chepstow, Bridgend Town v Barry Town, Briton Ferry v Cwmamman, Bryntirion Athletic v Tredegar, Caerau Ely v AFC Llwydcoed, Croesyceiliog v Pontypridd, Dinas Powys v Pontardawe, Ely Rangers v Caldicot, Garw v Maesteg Park, Goytre United v Garden Village, Gwynfi United v Abertillery, Llangeinor v Ton Pentre, Llansawel v Merthyr Saints, Llantwit Fardre v Aberbargoed Buds, Neath Athletic v Goytre FC (Mon), Penrhiwceiber v Cwmbran Celtic, Pentwyn Dynamos v Betws, Risca v Aberaman, Troedyrhiw v Llanwern, UWIC v Cardiff Corries, West End v Pontyclun, Ystradgynlais v Seven Sisters. Byes: AFC Porth, Caerleon, Cambrian & Clydach, Grange Quins, Morriston, Newcastle Emlyn, Porthcawl, Taffs Well and Treharris.

TONY POOLE
 

TONY POOLE
 

Neath Athletic's appeal against a Welsh Premiership decision to deny them membership won't be heard until after this Saturday's Welsh League AGM in Maesteg.

Welsh Premiership secretary John Deakin, who will put the league's stance in front of an independent panel in Cardiff, doesn't return from holiday until June 29. Deakin, along with league chairman Alun Evans, will be looking for a decision that confirms a unanimous decision made at the league AGM to deny Neath access on the basis that they failed to meet ground criteria on time.

However, with Welsh Premiership fixture lists due to appear tomorrow, there is a get-out clause should Neath's case be upheld.

The Llandarcy Park club would take on the club with a free date, owing to the current membership being an odd number at 17.

There is also a likelihood that some Welsh Premiership clubs will feature in the first round of the Welsh Cup on September 16.

Meanwhile, Port Talbot Town have signed ex-Llanelli striker Martin Rose from Bridgend Town, and brought in Dylan Blain from Haverfordwest County.

TONY POOLE
 

Ystradgynlais FC have received fines totalling £900 for their part in the abandoned Welsh League division three clash with Seven Sisters on April 5.

With Ystrad 2-0 up, the game at Ynyscedwyn Road was abandoned after fighting broke out between players. A Welsh FA commission has slapped a fine of £520 on the club, while manager Andrew Hopkins and his sons, Craig and Dale, will have to produce the remainder. Hopkins senior was fined £60 and warned regarding his future conduct in the game, while the two players will have to pay £160 each.

Both players have also been banned for four matches, while Seven Sisters culprit Lee Sullivan, who has since left the club, received a five-match ban plus a £150 fine.

Seven Sisters were also found guilty of not controlling their players and got a further penalty of £250.

Neither club is expected to appeal against the decisions.

Meanwhile, second division Garw have decided against taking a 33-point deduction from the Welsh League management committee to an independent tribunal.

The Welsh FA found them guilty of fielding Jamie Morris as an ineligible player on 14 occasions, resulting in the Blandy club being denied promotion.

Aberaman will now take their place in the top flight next term along with champions Pontypridd Town and Croesyceiliog.

However, third division champions West End, who face a three-point deduction for playing an ineligible player, will make a final decision next weekend on whether to take their case to an independent panel.

At stake is the destination of the third division championship, with second- placed Cambrian & Clydach set to benefit if the Townhill side are docked points.

TONY POOLE
 

Neath Athletic are appealing against a decision by the Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premiership to deny them membership.

The Llandarcy Park club have received written confirmation of last week's vote at the Welsh Premiership annual, ruling out promotion because of the Welsh League runners-up falling short on ground criteria. However, Neath's decision to appeal will now be heard by the Football Association of Wales, and the outcome is anticipated ahead of the Welsh League annual meeting at Maesteg.

The confirmation that grant money is forthcoming has led to Neath commencing ground improvements, and they will continue whatever the outcome of the appeal.

A decision is also expected soon on appeals from both third division champions West End and second division promotion candidates Garw on docked points.

They both reappeared in front of a Welsh FA commission at Llandrindod Wells last Thursday while Seven Sisters and Ystradgynlais still await their fate, following an abandoned third division fixture on April 5.

TONY POOLE
 

Neath Athletic Football Club's 11th-hour bid to gain promotion ended in failure at the Welsh Premiership AGM in Llandrindod Wells on Saturday.

The Welsh Premiership board of directors rejected their request for time to bring Llandarcy Park up to the required standard. The member clubs also discussed their late application following the withdrawal of Macron Welsh League champions Goytre United, and a unanimous decision was made to go with a 17-strong league for next season.

In the end Neath lost out because they did not meet the required ground criteria when a second inspection of Llandarcy Park was made last month.

''The decision is bitterly disappointing as we couldn't go ahead with the necessary work, owing to grant money not being written in stone,'' said Neath Athletic treasurer Roger Brooks.

''That said, we gave the league a contractor's undertaking that all work would be completed by early July, but this obviously wasn't good enough for them.''

The situation proved a repeat of 2003 when a similar problem in enclosing the cricket side of the ground also led to their application being rejected.

''The Welsh Premiership knew the problems that we faced, and their decision was unprofessional and smacks of a closed shop,'' said Neath Athletic manager Andrew Dyer.

While the Welsh Premiership will go with only 17 teams next season, division one of the Welsh League could be based on 19 clubs.

However, Grange Quins still have financial commitments to fulfil to both the Welsh Premiership and Welsh FA before being accepted by the Welsh League.

The other issue yet to be resolved ahead of the Welsh League AGM at Maesteg Park on June 24 is the future of Barry Town and a return to Jenner Park.

So, if Barry and Grange Quins fail to meet requirements in the coming weeks, then division one would also be down to 17 clubs.

TONY POOLE
 

West End Football Club are appealing against a decision by the Welsh League to dock them three points.

They last month attended a Welsh FA inquiry, resulting in the Welsh League management committee handing out a points deduction as punishment. The Townhill club completed a successful first season in the third division by lifting the championship.

But these three docked points - for allegedly including Scott Thayer as an ineligible player against Cwmamman on February 25 - would cost them the title.

It would leave Cambrian & Clydach as champions, with West End being promoted in second place along with Treharris.

However, the biggest losers might well be second division Garw, who could miss out on promotion if a 33-point deduction is upheld.

The Blandy club allegedly included Jamie Morris as an ineligible player on 14 occasions, 11 of them in winning situations.

If their appeal to the Welsh FA fails then Aberaman would be promoted in third place along with champions Pontypridd Town and Croesyceiliog.

It has also been confirmed that first division Bryntirion Athletic have been deducted three points and fined £250 for refusing to field a side at Pontardawe last month.

This drops the Bridgend side from ninth to 11th in the table after a sound first season in the top flight.

TONY POOLE
 

Neath Athletic have written to all 17 member clubs in a last-ditch attempt to win Welsh Premiership status.

The Llandarcy Park club have made the move ahead of Saturday's Welsh Premiership AGM that will make a final decision. "Some North Wales clubs might not be aware of what fine facilities Neath Athletic possess, and so we have sent them illustrated letters," said Neath Athletic secretary Tony Melding.

"Hopefully, it might make a difference, especially if the decision by the directors isn't accepted."

A report by Welsh Premiership secretary John Deakin on the state of Llandarcy Park will be placed in front of the league's board of directors prior to the AGM.

The cricket side of Llandarcy Park remains the sticking point, but the club have a contractor's letter pointing out that all necessary work will be completed by July 3.

But the bottom line remains how badly do the league want to alleviate a 17-club scenario, and if so are they prepared to wait for Neath.

Bottom-placed Grange Quins have already accepted relegation while Welsh League champions Goytre United refused promotion, leaving runners-up Neath to mount an 11th-hour campaign for promotion.

TONY POOLE

 

Pontardawe Town failed in their bid to lift the Shamrock Travel Cup for the first time when they were beaten 2-1 in extra time by Welsh League second division side Penrhiwceiber at Afan Lido's Marston Stadium.

Having ended up losing finalists to Goytre United a year ago at Ton Pentre, Ponty held sway during a goalless opening half. Both goals experienced some narrow escapes, but the Swansea Valley side went ahead in the 53rd minute when top scorer Jamie Bowen turned in a Ryan Fahey cross.

His 16th goal of the season looked to have done the trick until Ceiber began to rally and levelled in the 78th minute.

Andrew Workman was played through the middle, and his shot beat Ponty goalkeeper Chris Curtis before clipping a post and going in.

That took the final into extra time, and gradually the Cynon Valley side became more menacing.

And they crowned a magnificent fightback in the 103rd minute with a length-of-the-field winner.

Ponty substitute Mark Dunford had a shot blocked on the goal line by Martin Denham, and the ball was worked forward for Nathan King to score from close range.

Ceiber substitute Sam George was the surprise winner of the man-of-the match award.

TONY POOLE