THE opening two weeks of the 2026 – 2027 football season started with two major FAW competitions – the FAW Welsh Cup and the FAW Amateur Trophy.
Ely Rangers started it all off in the Welsh Cup Qualifying Round One with a Friday evening game at Station Road, Wenvoe, when they defeated Ynysygerwn from the Ardal SW League 3-1 with goals from Richard Greaves, Joseph Rees and Luke Birnage. Dinas Powys left the cup at the first hurdle, going down 3-nil to SWPL Championship rivals Treforest.
Barry Athletic went through to QR2 with a 1-0 victory over Cascade with Frazer Harding coming off the bench to score a late winner. Vale United hosted Tregaron Turfs from Ceredigion and opened their season with a 4-1 win. All four goals came in the second half from Will Rowlands and a Jonah Benford penalty, before he scored his second with Ben Godfrey scoring in the last minute.
Last Saturday saw the FAW Trophy Qualifying Round One.
Ely Rangers faced a tricky away game against Gwent County League’s Newport Saints but will be delighted with their 3-2 victory. Luke Birnage opened the scoring with Richard Greaves doubling Rangers’ lead just after half time. Harrison Coughlin scored Rangers’ third, taking them into the next round.
Vale United FC travelled up the A470 to face Aberfan Rangers from the Merthyr League and came away with a 2-0 win. Connor James opened the scoring on half time, with Jason James getting the second.
Sully Sports FC faced a trek west to face Burry Port from the Carmarthenshire League Premier Division. After going in 1-0 down at half time, Sully came back with three goals in the final 15 minutes through a Joe Stephens-Collins brace and Ethan McInery.
Cogan Coronation AFC also faced a difficult game in mid-Wales where they faced Rhayader Town but they also came away with a win. Jac Jones opened Cogan’s account just after half time, before a Rhayader Town equaliser, with Jamie Harris coming off the bench to get the winner 10 minutes from the end.
Barry Athletic travelled to Ton Pentre to face SWPL opposition – the Rhondda Bulldogs – but went out in a nine-goal thriller. After going a goal down they equalised through a Karol Wojciechowski goal to go in 1-1 at half time. The Bulldogs again took the lead before Karol scored his second. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs hit another three before Theo Savva scored Athletic’s third but it was too little too late and they went down 6-3.
This Saturday – 8th August – sees the opening games of the SW Premier League.
Ely Rangers face a stiff opening game at Wenvoe hosting Llantwit Fardre in the Premier Division. Championship holders Dinas Powys travel west to face newly-promoted Margam Youth Centre. In Division One West, there’s a Vale derby at Cogan Leisure Centre where Cogan Coronation host newly-promoted Barry Athletic. Vale United host Bettws and Sully Sports travel the short journey to Grange Albion.
Terry Allday
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