Ardal Northern Leagues plunged into chaos as Machynlleth withdraw
Macron Match Ball Cyncoed v Cardiff City in the Orchard Welsh Premier Women's League at USW Sports Park on the 6th May 2021. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Machynlleth have notified the Football Association of Wales of their withdrawal from the Ardal Leagues.
The Powys-based club had been placed in the North East Division but has opted to withdraw just over a month before the 2022/23 season is due to start.
Teams have already begun their pre-season schedules and have started recruiting players for the divisions they believed they would be playing at for the next year.
It leaves the National Game Board with another tough decision after giving four teams who applied for vacancies the chance to take their place in the third tier.
A meeting between the NGB will take place on Tuesday, July 5 to discuss who will replace Machynlleth after their late exit.
Notifying the league, Machynlleth said: “This decision has come about due to lack of players and commitment.”
No teams that finished in the bottom three of the Ardal Leagues last season were given a reprieve and instead the likes of Hawarden Rangers and RTB Ebbw Vale were promoted, despite finishing fourth.
Should the position change on giving a team a reprieve than the team that finished 14th in the North East last season was Carno.
Machynlleth, finishing 13th, won eight games, drew three, and lost 19 matches, finishing five points above the relegated Carno.
The fixtures for the two Ardal Northern divisions were due to be released but their withdrawal has delayed them until a decision has been made.
In the South, however, the full 30-game season schedule has been released for both the South East and South West. Port Talbot – who finished bottom of the Cymru South without a single point – open the season away at Dinas Powys.
Newly promoted Seven Sisters Onllwyn are away at Treharris Athletic Western, as are Mumbles Rangers to Cardiff Draconians.
Cefn Cribwr – groundsharing at Cambrian & Clydach – welcome Ynysygerwn meanwhile Baglan Dragons travel to Penrhiwceiber Rangers.
Meanwhile, Risca United and Undy Athletic in the South East face Newport City away and Brecon Corries at home respectively.
Newcomers Lliswerry and Blaenavon Blues will renew their rivalry on the opening day of the season meanwhile RTB Ebbw Vale welcome league favourites Goytre to the Hilltop Stadium.
