Tonyrefail, Ely Rangers, and Aberfan promoted in dramatic night in Alliance League
Tonyrefail BGC and Ely Rangers have won promotion to the Premier Division of the South Wales Alliance League.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf based side needed to avoid defeat against promotion rivals Vale United and did just that, drawing 1-1 at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre.
Arran Jefferies put Vale ahead but a 78th-minute equaliser from Tonyrefail’s Thomas Davies.
Vale needed a win to ensure promotion and their draw saw them miss out on promotion completely.
But after their draw, they could only hope Ely Rangers dropped points at the White Tips Stadium in Treforest.
Matthew Kimmins gave Ely the lead in the 43rd minute but a 58th-minute equaliser from Jayden Granelli made for a nervy few moments.
Jamie Edwards restored the Wenvoe side’s lead though in the 90th minute and Treforest failed to issue a response.
It ended up with Tonyrefail, Ely Rangers, and Vale all finishing on 60 points, but Tonyrefail’s goal difference of 46 and Ely’s 40 meant Vale missed out by two.
Tonyrefail had been in Division One of the Alliance League for six seasons and have will play at their highest level.
For Ely, they bounce back from their 2019/20 relegation, which was their second consecutive after being relegated from the Welsh League.
They will join Cardiff Airport, who won the Division One title weeks ago following a strong season from the Vale of Glamorgan club.
Ryan Blanche’s Vale meanwhile narrowly miss out on a second consecutive promotion after finishing third in 2020.
In the division below, results went in the favour of Aberfan to see them promoted to Division One, joining league winners Treherbert.
Aberfan were relegated in 2020 but bounced back at the first time of asking.
