With all the hype, turkey and rotten tv programmes firmly behind us, and having packed off those relatives that you never could stand anyway, it will be on to Boxing Day when hopefully we will see a return to football. (Yes, I know, today’s nomination for the ‘Bah, humbug’ award!).
Weather permitting, there are eight Spar Mid Wales League matches scheduled for Boxing Day, with most attention in this corner of God’s own country clearly focused on Presteigne’s derby game at Hay St Marys.
Elsewhere, the leaders Llansantffraid Village face a tricky trip to fourth-placed Llanrhaeadr knowing they could be knocked off the top unless they take something from the game. Second-placed Aberystwyth Reserves don’t have a game, but Rhayader Town, in third, will fancy their chances at home to bottom side Newbridge.
First into action will be the Penparcau and Bow Street who are due to kick off at noon, while Tywyn Bryncrug will look to strengthen their title credentials with a home win over Dolgellau.
Carno will fancy their chances of further progression at home to second-bottom Caersws Reserves while Dyffryn Banw have home advantage for their game against Llanfyllin Town. In the day’s other game, Waterloo Rovers face a trip to Newtown Reserves.
If derby games are the order of the day in the Spar Mid Wales League, then you could argue this is even more the case in the Mid Wales League (South). Such is the way the five games have been arranged, Presteigne Reserves’ trip to Knighton Town looks like an epic journey when compared to the other matches.
Leaders Rhosgoch Rangers are without a festive game, so, along with Barry’s boys, Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells will both be looking to close the gap to two points. Both Llan’dod and Builth have ‘away’ games – Llandrindod Wells go to Llandrindod Wells Colts, while Builth Wells head to Builth Wednesdays.
Elsewhere, Penybont United will host Penybont Athletic at the Racecourse (anybody else see a pattern emerging here?) and Talgarth Town will entertain Talgarth Rovers. All of these matches are due to kick off at 2.00pm with the exception of the Talgarth derby that is scheduled for a 1.00pm start.
On Monday 28 December CP Llanandras will host Radnor Valley at Llanandras Park while Rhayader Town Reserves will take on St Harmon at the Weirglodd. Both of these games are due to kick off at 2.00pm.