West End Football Club will decide tonight whether to take an appeal procedure a step further.

An independent inquiry last week failed to overturn a Welsh League decision to deduct the club three points, and impose a fine of £100 for fielding Scott Thayer as an ineligible player. However, the Townhill club are poised to take their case to an arbitration panel in London at cost of £1,000.

Though West End have gained promotion to the second division, the three-point deduction would cost them last season's third division title.

The Swansea side, who drew 2-2 in a pre-season friendly at Neath Athletic, have made three close-season captures in Lee Morgan (Briton Ferry), Dean Rosselli (Morriston) and John Eames (Brunswick).

TONY POOLE

West End's appeal against a Welsh Football League decision to dock three points for fielding an ineligible player has once again been turned down.

It has resulted in the Townhill side being relieved of the Welsh League division three title, but they will nevertheless be promoted together with new champions Cambrian & Clydach and third-placed Treharris. West End attended a Welsh FA hearing in May regarding the inclusion of Scott Thayer as an ineligible player during a 5-2 home win over Cwmamman on February 25.

The Welsh League management committee went on to impose a fine of £100 along with a three-point deduction.

An unsuccessful appeal led to last week's independent inquiry, but once more West End's case fell on deaf ears.

It has not only left the Swansea side to pick up a hefty bill, but they will also now miss out on the third division championship purse.

TONY POOLE
 

BRITON FERRY AND GARDEN VILLAGE HOST LOCAL DERBIES IN CUP

Seven Sisters make the short journey to Briton Ferry in the first round of the Harris Printers Shield for Welsh League reserve teams. Neath Athletic are another club with a local derby - they travel a few miles down the M4 to Garden Village - while there is an all-Carmarthenshire tie at Newcastle Emlyn where Cwmamman United are the visitors.

And in the first round of the Macwhirter Youth Cup, there is a Swansea derby when Morriston Town host Townhill-based West End at The Dingle.

HARRIS PRINTERS (RESERVE DIVISION) SHIELD

1st rd draw: AFC Llwydcoed v Ammanford, Bridgend Town v Llantwit Fardre, Briton Ferry v Seven Sisters, Caldicot Town v Pontardawe Town, Chepstow Town v Morriston Town, Dinas Powys v Cwmbran Celtic, Ely Rangers v Cambrian & Clydach, Garden Village v Neath Athletic, Maesteg Park v Croesyceiliog, Newcastle Emlyn v Cwmamman United, Newport YMCA v Afan Lido, Pontyclun v Goytre United, Port Talbot Town v Caerleon, Porthcawl Town v Llanelli, Risca United v Caerau Ely, Ystradgynlais v Bryntirion Athletic.

Dates to be advised.

MACWHIRTER YOUTH DIVISION CUP

1st rd draw: Afan Lido v Pentwyn Dynamo, Barry Town v Ely Rangers, Briton Ferry v Goytre United, Bryntirion Athletic v Dinas Powys, Cambrian & Clydach v Newport County, Cwmbran Town v Caerau Ely, Haverfordwest County v Caerleon, Morriston Town v West End, Neath Athletic v Merthyr Tydfil, Newport YMCA v ENTO Aberaman Athletic, Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Carmarthen Town, Pontardawe Town v AFC Porth.

Byes: AFC Llwydcoed, Pontypridd, Port Talbot, Risca.

Matches to be played on September 24.
 

First division Pontardawe Town have appointed Dai Rees and Andrew Birch as their new Welsh League management team. Their arrival comes at a time when the club are hoping to finalise a long-awaited agreement with Neath Port Talbot Council to develop a new ground at the nearby Pontardawe Leisure Centre.

Last season's management team comprising Robert Cooke, David Bowen and Neil Frederickson all decided to step down, having guided the club to the second division championship and third place last year in the top flight.

Under the trio Pontardawe were also runners-up twice in the league's Shamrock Travel Cup.

"It's a totally amicable parting," confirmed Pontardawe spokesman Jonathan Wilsher.

"They felt they had taken the club as far as they could, and need some personal time out of the game but they will always be welcome at Pontardawe."

Wilsher went on point out that both Rees and Birch have a wealth of experience at this level - and have the full backing of the club.

Rees, who will take up the manager's mantle, has managed Afan Lido and Port Talbot in the old League of Wales and enjoyed successful spells at both Goytre United and Maesteg Park.

Birch, who will be assistant-manager and coach, teamed up as Rees's right-hand man at Maesteg following a playing career at Neath, Goytre United, Skewen and Pontardawe.

"With a final announcement on our new ground due soon, it's an exciting time for everyone involved with Pontardawe and the local community," continued Wilsher.

Training for the first team, reserves and youth team is at Pontardawe Leisure Centre on Mondays and Thursdays (6.30pm) and Saturdays (12.30pm).

The club is also looking to strengthen its off-field team with new committeemen. For further details contact Jonathan Wilsher on 07831 555464 or e-mail j.wilsher1@ntlworld.com.

TONY POOLE
 

Neath Athletic Football Club's late bid to gain Welsh Premiership status has failed.

The appeal made by the Llandarcy Park club fell on deaf ears during an independent inquiry earlier in the week. That means that the Welsh Premiership will go with only 17 clubs when the new season gets underway on August 18.

Neath were eventually turned down on a failure to meet the required ground criteria by the May deadline.

Ironically, Neath have this week completed the necessary ground improvements, bringing it up to Welsh Premiership standard.

Neath, who finished runners-up to Goytre United in the Welsh League last season, went for the Welsh Premiership ticket after the Port Talbot village side opted out of promotion.

But as manager Andrew Dyer pointed out, Neath are bitterly disappointed in the way the whole episode has been handled.

"The Welsh Premiership strung us along for six months as we told them all along that the necessary ground work wouldn't be completed until early July," he declared.

"We kept our side of the bargain, but the Welsh Premiership felt it preferable to see one club sit out each league fixture list.

"But we won't go away, and with the bulk of last season's squad having re-signed, hopefully we will be knocking on their door again next year.

"All in all, the events of the last month have united players and committee, resulting in the emergence of a closer-knit club."

Neath have also signed the ex-AFC Llwydcoed pairing of Chris Vardon and Richie Jenkins, while goalkeeper Chris Curtis has switched from Pontardawe Town.

TONY POOLE