League’s grounds for optimism

 

The Montgomeryshire Amateur League will be home to some of the finest non-league grounds in Wales when its season kicks off on August 21.

 

Following the enforced re-shuffle due to the creation of the Spar Mid Wales League second division (which took seven Amateur League clubs), this season will see Newtown Reserves, Caersws Reserves, Guilsfield Reserves, Llanidloes Reserves, Berriew Reserves and Carno Reserves all join the new-look Amateur League first division.

 

Four of the clubs boast floodlights while Guilsfield has some of the best facilities to be found anywhere outside of the Welsh Premier.

 

“It will be a fascinating league,” said secretary Bernie Jones. “The first division consists of teams with facilities that rival anything in the top flight of Welsh football. The creation of the second division of the Mid Wales League has given the leagues lower in the pyramid system some headaches, but I am hoping we can look forward now to a cracking season.”

 

Waterloo Reserves, Llangedwyn, Bettws and Trefonen make up the 11-team top flight while newcomers Llanrhaeadr Reserves and Morda Reserves join the likes of Waterloo Colts, Llanfair Reserves, Churchstoke and Welshpool Reserves in the 10-league second division. Trewern have folded.

 

With fewer teams in the league compared to last season, Jones confirmed that should the winter weather be favourable, two cups could be re-introduced at the end of the season.