East Gwent Senior League

THIS season’s race for the Division One title is too tough to call and could be the most open competition for five years.

Relegated from the Gwent County League, Rockfield Rovers will be keen to bounce back at the first attempt but will not find it easy.

The main threat is likely to come from Thornwell Red and White who had similar hopes of a rapid return last season.

Reduced to nine clubs this season, Division One should be even more competitive as Underwood aim to put three failed promotion bids behind them.

Having missed out to Mathern, Sudbrook and Severn Tunnel in the last three campaigns, Craig Johnson’s men are determined to return to the GCL and have upgraded their ground and facilities in readiness for life at the higher level.

However, a number of former Underwood players have signed for other clubs during the summer with Tom Turner having moved to play Gwent County League football with Division Three high-fliers Sudbrook CC.

But it’s not only the promotion-chasing clubs that will offer the major threats as the remaining clubs are all capable of throwing a spanner in the works.

Reigning champions Mathern Reserves A are unlikely to give up their crown easily and manager Lee Baker is determined to keep the pressure on despite seeing a few of last year’s regulars promoted to the club’s GCL team.

Like Mathern, Undy Athletic and Caldicot Castle A are unable to be promoted to the GCL and can often lose their better players to their senior teams, but they are always competitive and, as in previous seasons, they will be formidable opponents in the various cup competitions.

Tintern Abbey are always strong and the league’s newest team, Severn Bridge, are well-equipped to mount serious challenges in all competitions they enter.

Meanwhile, in Division Two, treble winners Mathern Reserves B, Chepstow Town and Underwood B should again be major contenders for the title and cup competitions while Severn Tunnel B, Sudbrook CC and Castle B may lose in-form players to their respective senior teams.

Relegated Chepstow Athletic almost went to the wall towards the end of last season but they have survived and, along with Portskewett and Sudbrook, will want to improve, especially as Gwent County League outfit Blackrock Rovers disbanded during the summer.

The season begins on Saturday with a full programme of fixtures. Full details and kick-off times are available at www.eastg

wentafl.org.uk/fix

tures/