Denied an immediate return to the JD Cymru South by the ongoing fairytale at Baglan Dragons, Risca United have a score to settle.
Having helplessly watched on as Abertillery Bluebirds snatched the 2022-23 Cymru Ardal South East League title courtesy of three successive away wins in the space of a week, United were then put to the sword by Jordan Evans who netted a brace in the Southern play-off final at Penydarren’s Bont Playing Fields.
The striker netted twice to seal back-to-back promotions for the Dragons, leaving Risca United in the Ardal leagues in the process following what was a gut-wrenching final few weeks of the season for the Cuckoos.
The positive is that key stars including Leon Thomas and Harvey Selway have committed their immediate futures to the club as they bid to avoid a repeat of last season’s heartache by topping the standings in the upcoming campaign, and the addition of Shane Parry looks an exciting one.
DragonBet make Risca United 9/2 to win the title.
Undy Athletic – who were relegated with Risca United in 2022 – started last season like a house on fire but a sticky patch in the middle of the campaign ultimately proved costly as they finished third, five points off top spot.
Undy Athletic – who were relegated with Risca United in 2022 – started last season like a house on fire but a sticky patch in the middle of the campaign ultimately proved costly as they finished third, five points off top spot.
DragonBet make Undy Athletic 7/1 to win the title.
It’s fair to say the fixture list for the season ahead has conjured up some early magic.
Undy face Risca at The Causeway on the opening weekend of the campaign, and just three days later, they host another promotion contender in Trethomas Bluebirds.
Indeed, despite finishing fourth, Trethomas were the league’s top scorers last term and boasted a staggering goal difference of +44 after their 30 matches. They also conceded the fewest. The perfect mix, you would have to say.
DragonBet make Trethomas Bluebirds 9/2 to win the title.
The subplots to what is shaping into a fascinating league don’t end there, though.
Aberbargoed Buds have unfinished business at this level having been relegated to the fourth tier a year ago thanks largely to a 30-point deduction for fielding ineligible players.
Boss John Lewis led the club to a league and cup double last term, losing just one match in the entirety of the Gwent Premier League campaign.
DragonBet make Aberbargoed Buds 25/1 to win the title.
Abercarn United follow the Buds in progressing from the Gwent Premier League to tier three – with the likes of Travis Madden, Chris Guy and last season’s top scorer Dan Suter bidding to impress in the South East structure.
DragonBet make Abercan United 25/1 to win the title.
Last season’s Central Wales League South runners-up Hay St Mary’s also make the step up to the third tier. The Brecon Road outfit have brought Steve Goodwin and Tom James back to the club as they aim to consolidate their place in the South East division.
DragonBet make Hay St. Mary’s 33/1 to win the title.
The fourth and final new addition to the league sees Treharris Athletic Western – who will be guided by new manager Dean Raven and his assistant Owain Locke – make up the 16-team 2023-24 line-up.
The Parc Taff Bargoed club have been shifted over from the South West division, with no clubs dropping down from the upper tiers into this year’s South East League which will undoubtedly give hope to many sides that a top two spot is up for grabs more than ever before.
DragonBet make Treharris Athletic Western 25/1 to win the title.
As for the remainder of the league, Caldicot Town will bid to continue their momentum from last term as they clinched 10 wins from their final 12 league outings.
With a lethal marksman like Tyler Wilson in their ranks, they will hope to close the gap to the big guns.
DragonBet make Caldicot Town 8/1 to win the title.
Treowen Stars, Blaenavon Blues, Chepstow Town and Goytre all showed plenty of promise last time out and will no doubt be vying to push towards the upper echelons of the league standings this time around.
DragonBet make Treowen Stars 7/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Blaenavon Blues 10/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Chepstow Town 14/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Goytre 7/2 to win the title.
For Newport City, Tredegar Town, Brecon Corries and Lliswerry, the aim will almost certainly be to avoid flirting with relegation once more, although, as previously mentioned, the lack of teams coming down from tier two adds a significant amount of intrigue to the division.
DragonBet make Newport City 14/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Tredegar Town 28/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Brecon Corries 25/1 to win the title.
DragonBet make Lliswerry 40/1 to win the title.
If there’s going to be a surprise package from the south system, it would not shock you if it was to come from this league.
Strap yourselves in, folks. This could be fun!
