Ardal South East: Shock manager departure ahead of crucial promotion run-in
PENPERLLENI, WALES - JUNE 30 2020, Goytre Association Football Club, Plough Road Stadium Images. (Pics by John Smith/Same Old Smith Photography/FAW)
A manager whose side currently sits second in the table, on course for a play-off spot and 11 points off the league leaders, has announced his shock departure from an Ardal South East club.
Marc Ingles, who made the move to Plough Road from Chepstow Town after leading them to the Ardal South play-offs and the Ardal South League Cup final last season, has stepped down with just six games remaining, with his assistant Alex Stewart also departing.
Goytre have struggled for form in recent weeks, suffering three consecutive defeats. This includes a heavy 4-1 home loss to Caldicot Town, who are now just two points behind them and gaining momentum, in contrast to the Monmouthshire-based side.
Confirming the news on Sunday morning, Ingles took to the social media platform X, stating:
“So myself and @stewpot4 have officially left @GoytreFC. I would like to thank all the players for their amazing efforts so far this season.”
Ardal South East current standings
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Caerphillly Athletic | 27 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 90 | 35 | 55 | 63 |
| Goytre | 24 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 78 | 25 | 53 | 52 |
| Caldicot Town | 25 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 30 | 37 | 50 |
| Cwmbran Town | 23 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 55 | 22 | 33 | 50 |
At the start of the campaign, Goytre were installed as 5/4 favourites by bookmaker Dragon Bet. However, Caerphilly Athletic, priced at 18/11 and ranked as low as 11th in pre-season, currently leads the division by nine points, albeit having played more games and with just three fixtures remaining.
Ian Butterworth’s side face an interesting run-in, with all three matches away from home: against Brecon Corries, a crucial clash with Goytre on April 17, and a final-day trip to Undy on April 25.
Third-placed Caldicot Town, meanwhile, are closing in on Goytre and still have five games to play. They have lost just once in their last 14 matches and arrive in strong form.
Laurent Ngunjoh starred in the recent win over Goytre, scoring twice and providing an assist. Caldicot’s season runs through to May 9, ending with a trip to Abercarn United, while fixtures against Abergavenny Town, Lliswerry, Chepstow Town and Croesyceiliog still lie ahead.
A crucial test awaits Goytre on April 8, as Cwmbran Town remain firmly in the promotion race. They have played one game fewer than Goytre and have four games in hand on leaders Caerphilly Athletic.
Cwmbran will host Goytre at Cwmbran Stadium, although they come into the fixture on the back of a narrow defeat to Chepstow Town, their first loss in 12 matches.
Their season is set to conclude on May 12 with a trip to Abercarn United. Before then, they face home fixtures against Lliswerry, Abertillery Bluebirds and Chepstow Town, alongside away trips to Abergavenny Town and Brecon Corries, which could make home advantage decisive.
Cwmbran are currently level on points with Caldicot Town, albeit with a slightly inferior goal difference. With just two points separating them from Goytre, they may view this upcoming clash as the perfect opportunity to strike.
The league title winner, based on getting the Tier Two Licence will go up to the JD Cymru South automatically, whilst the team that finishes in second will play the runner-up of the Ardal South West at a neutral venue in May.
Goytre’s remaining fixtures
Whatever decision Goytre make regarding the manager’s position, they will inherit a squad more than capable of securing promotion.
Chris Ham, a multiple-time Golden Boot winner, has been in outstanding form this season, registering 33 goals and nine assists in just 24 appearances. Daniel Barnard also brings promotion-winning pedigree, having previously gone up from the third tier with Pure Swansea, then known as Swansea University, while captain Daniel Paul adds valuable experience from his time in the JD Cymru South.
Goytre’s run-in begins with a trip to Cwmbran Stadium this Wednesday, followed by an away fixture against Blaenavon Blues next weekend. A crucial clash with Caerphilly Athletic then awaits, before a home game against Tredegar Town and a penultimate fixture against Undy.
In line with many of their promotion rivals, Goytre will round off their campaign against Abercarn United on May 5.
- April 8 – Cwmbran Town (A)
- April 11 – Blaenavon Blues (A)
- April 17 – Caerphilly Athletic (H)
- April 24 – Tredegar Town (H)
- April 28 – Undy (A)
- May 5 – Abercarn United (H)
