Briton Ferry Llansawel bounced straight back into the Orchard Welsh Women’s Premier League but Gap Northop Hall passed up the chance to take back their place after a few years of waiting.
WELSH REGIONAL LEAGUE END OF SEASON ROUND-UP
Briton Ferry Llansawel and Aberystwyth Town were both relegated from the Welsh Premier League in 2016/17 but were last term engaged in a battle for an immediate return.
Although Aberystwyth were unbeaten in their fourteen Welsh Women’s League fixtures, it was Briton Ferry who finished top by a one-point margin. The champions missed out in the League Cup final though, beaten 2-1 after extra-time by Barry Town United. Aberystwyth were the Alun Evans Cup winners when defeating Penybont 3-0.
Gap Northop Hall had been relegated from the WPWL in 2012/13 and although they topped the North Wales League by four points from Airbus, they did not apply for promotion back to top flight*. Three second-half goals gave them the League Cup with a 4-1 victory over Denbigh Town.
Willows and Splott Albion comfortably took the top two slots in South Wales Division 1 and are therefore promoted to the Welsh Women’s League.
Cardiff Met Development clinched the South Wales second division title ahead of their counterparts from Caldicot Town. The Archers made it a double by thrashing Llangyfelach 7-1 in the League Plate.
In West Wales, Llanelli-based Dafen were champions with a five-point lead over runners-up Rhos. They secured the top spot with a game to spare and then also won the League Cup final in a seven-goal thriller against Rhos. Dafen will now compete in the Welsh Women’s League in the forthcoming campaign.
*Ninth-placed Caernarfon Town will now remain in the WPWL next season.
