Following a round-up of the state of play in the South Wales FA district leagues a couple of weeks ago, I turn my attention now to what’s happening to the east in the Gwent County FA region.
It’s a little more simplistic here with just four district leagues and notionally three promotion places available between the champions of each. As with South Wales FA, promotion to the Gwent Premier League also includes ground criteria and potential effects of permutations further up the pyramid.
Gwent Central League
Division One
Cwmffrwdoer Sports are practically on the brink of the title here, having won all 14 leagues games so far this season and 12 points clear of the nearest team Pontypool Town, with a game in hand too. If my calculations are correct, Cwmffrwdoer require just four points from their six remaining fixtures to clinch the title. Cwmffrwdoer – who left Gwent County League in 2017 – have applied for promotion should they secure the Gwent Central title.
Division Two
Cwmffrwdoer Sports B top this one, three points clear of Usk Town reserves after they beat Forgeside B last week. Fairfield United B and Crickhowell reserves are also mathematically in the mix. Promotion may be on offer here to Cwmffrwdoer and Crickhowell depending on the outcome in leagues above.
East Gwent
Division One
It looks like a three-way battled between Iscoed Tafarn, current champions Caldicot Castle and Thornwell Red & Whites. I’ve been told by a Gwent Premier League official that no clubs from East Gwent have applied for promotion [or had grounds inspected].
Division Two
Caldicot Castle B lead Thornwell B on goal difference (+31 better) and have three games in hand so the unbeaten Castle B side looked strong favourites to clinch the title. Neither side will be promoted though so that could mean an opportunity for Raglan and/or Tintern Abbey to move up a tier.
North Gwent
Premier Division
Just the one division in North Gwent and Aberbargoed Town look set to relinquish their two-year grasp on the title. Neuadd Wen are eight points clear of Llanhilleth Athletic but the latter have three games in hand. Both have applied for promotion to the Gwent Premier League. So too have Fields Park. They have four games in hand over the the leaders but trail by 17 points so would probably require a monumental turnaround to clinch top spot. The champions are 5th, 22 points off the lead with five games in hand.
Newport & District
Premier X
Riverside Rovers are an incredible 21 points clear at the top but every side below have games in hand. They have applied for promotion along with second and third-placed Pontnewydd United and Malpas AFC. Although both or either side can close the gap with their games in hand, Riverside still have an advantage (having won 13 of their 14 fixtures) that could be insurmountable.
Premier Y
This division is comprised entirely of reserves sides of clubs playing higher in the pyramid. Lliswerry lead champions Rogerstone by a single point and have two extra games to play over their nearest rival. They are due to meet on Saturday at Rogerstone.
Division One
It’s a two horse battle here between Cwmbran Celtic 2nds and Court Farm. The teams have yet to face each other this season with a solitary draw for Cwmbran Celtic the only points either side has dropped so their double header next month could well decide the destination of the title.
Division Two
Newport Saints 3rds have a one point lead presently over Mill Street Dynamo. Mill Street have games in hand though, while Rogerstone 3rds and Cromwell Youth 2nds remain in the mix for the title and promotion also.
Jordan Forster 