Promoted Imps make a fine start in Premier Division

Vale of Glamorgan Football League round up

Glamorgan Star news 01/09/2026

3 minutes read

WITH the season still in its early stages, a number of clubs are already laying down markers, while several matches have shown just how competitive the campaign could become.

Premier Division

Cadoxton Imps continued their impressive start to life in the Premier Division with a 3–1 victory over Island Marine. Chris Rees, Dean McCarthy and Taylor Turner were on target for the Imps, who now have four points from their opening two matches. It is an excellent return considering those games have come against last season’s fourth and third-placed sides respectively.

Penarth Town made it two wins from two with a 2–1 victory over Rhoose Social. Macauley Winton was once again the difference-maker, scoring both of Penarth’s goals. Winton now has four goals from his opening two matches, while Penarth’s perfect record sees them establish themselves as early contenders.

AFC Rhoose produced an impressive away performance, beating newly-promoted Peterston Vale 4–0. Kyle Booker, Nathan Williams, Sam Gammon and Zak Grinter all found the net as Rhoose secured a convincing three points.

Championship

Sparta Park enjoyed a comfortable 3–0 victory over Barry Athletic Reserves. Gareth Griffiths opened the scoring before two late goals from Jack Smith and Rhys Palmer secured all three points for Sparta Park.

There was late drama between Dinas Powys Reserves and AFC Rhoose Development, with the sides sharing the points in a 1–1 draw. Dinas took the lead through James Lloyd in the 64th minute, but Rhoose refused to leave empty-handed and Fred O’Carroll struck in the 85th minute to earn his side a point.

Cardiff Airport Reserves roared back from 0-2 down to hammer St Athan Reserves 10–2. St Athan Reserves couldn’t have made a better start, racing into a 2–0 lead, but Airport responded in devastating fashion to turn the match completely on its head. Kyle Lewis was the star of the show, scoring five goals.

League One

Cardiff Airport Vets maintained their perfect start with a convincing 5–1 victory over King Billy, inflicting the first defeat of the season on their opponents. Lee Stradling was the standout performer, completing a hat-trick as Airport Vets continued their excellent early-season form.

Tadross and FC Barry produced an absolute classic, with Barry eventually edging an extraordinary 11-goal thriller 6–5. Tadross raced into a 2–0 lead through Kyle Solowyck and Dan Morgan, before Tyler Jenkinson pulled one back for Barry. Shaun Jachontow then restored Tadross’ two-goal advantage, but Jenkinson struck twice before half-time to bring the scores level at 3–3. The second half was just as dramatic. Jack Collins and Darren Townsend put FC Barry ahead, only for Tadross to fight back again through Morgan and Brad O’Loughlin to make it 5–5. With the game seemingly heading for yet another twist, Casey Thompson produced the decisive moment, scoring for FC Barry to secure a remarkable 6–5 victory. Eleven goals, constant comebacks and a late winner — a thoroughly deserved Game of the Week.

Island Marine Development also picked up three points with a 3–1 victory over Rhoose Social Reserves. Theo Nicolaou, Nico Nicolaou and Oscar Stewart finding the net for Marine.

There was another dramatic contest at The Buttrills as Cadoxton Imps Seconds defeated St Athan Thirds 4–3. The Imps appeared to have the match wrapped up at half-time after racing into a 4–0 lead, with Kieran Powell scoring twice alongside goals from Cam Stewert and Raied Jones. But St Athan Thirds refused to surrender. Behe Selmi pulled one back before Jayden Rees scored twice to make it 4–3 and set up a nervy finish. Cadoxton Imps Seconds managed to hold on, however, securing another three points.

By Hywel Dark

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