For the 2022–23 season, the Mid Wales Football League rebranded to the Central Wales Football League, coinciding with the introduction of a north-south split between its two divisions. It was known as the MMP Central Wales Football League for sponsorship reasons. It operated at the fourth tier of the Welsh football league system.
The North Division was won by Kerry and the South Division was won by Radnor Valley. The league also had a cup, the Central Wales League Challenge Cup, which was won by Llansantffraid Village.
Changes from previous season Due to a lack of teams from western parts of Mid Wales, the league changed from its east-west split to a north-south split. The league also changed its name from the Mid Wales Football League to the Central Wales Football League. Five teams applied to join the league: Meifod and Trefonen from the Montgomeryshire League, Presteigne St Andrews and Penybont United from the Mid Wales South League, and Llanilar from the Aberystwyth League. All applicants were accepted, and Trewern United joined them in entering the fourth tier for the upcoming season. In July 2022, Trefonen manager Matt Digwood left the club, and they opted to remain in the Montgomeryshire League rather than joining the Central Wales League. Brecon Town also applied to join the league, but both they and Newcastle Emlyn withdrew in pre-season, leaving the South Division with twelve clubs. Penybont United had also been rumoured to withdraw, but the club dismissed the rumours.
Machynlleth also joined the league after resigning from the Ardal Leagues. Churchstoke withdrew from the Central Wales League and were replaced by Berriew, who had also resigned from the Ardal Leagues.Berriew withdraw from league, manager quits, 19 July 2022 from MyWelshpool
No clubs were relegated from the league in the previous season.
North Division Kerry were confirmed as North Division champions by the end of April 2023, with a 6–2 win against Tywyn Bryncrug. They did not apply for a licence to join the third-tier Ardal Leagues.
Notes
South Division Radnor Valley were crowned South Division champions in early May 2023. A 4–2 home win against Tregaron Turfs confirmed the title, which was attended by a "bumper crowd".
Central Wales League Challenge Cup Sourced to the FAW Cymru Football app unless otherwise stated.
First round Matches were played on 7 and 8 October 2022. All other teams had byes to the second round. +Home teamScoreAway teamRefBerriew2–3Montgomery TownMachynlleth0–3Tywyn BryncrugHay St Marys3–2Knighton TownPenparcau4–2Aberystwyth UniversityWaterloo Rovers2–3Four CrossesTrewern United4–2Llanfyllin TownRadnor Valley8–0Talgarth TownPenybont United0–8Bishops Castle TownKerry1–2Llansantffraid VillageForden United5–3MeifodAberaeron0–5LlanilarBarmouth & Dyffryn UnitedCarno
Second round Matches were played on 3 December 2022, except for Barmouth & Dyffryn United vs Abermule which was on 10 December, and Trewern United vs Hay St Marys which was on 28 January 2023. +Home teamScoreAway teamRefTywyn BryncrugPresteigne St AndrewsTregaron Turfs3–0Four CrossesMontgomery Town2–4Radnor ValleyForden United1–2 PenparcauBishops Castle Town1–0Dyffryn BanwLlansantffraid Village4–4 LlanilarBarmouth & Dyffryn United2–1AbermuleTrewern United6–1Hay St Marys
Quarter-finals Matches were played on 25 February 2023. +Home teamScoreAway teamRefBarmouth & Dyffryn United5–1Trewern UnitedBishops Castle Town1–4Llansantffraid VillageForden United2–1Tregaron TurfsTywyn Bryncrug1–2Radnor Valley
Semi-finals Radnor Valley vs Llansantffraid Village was played on 21 March 2023, and Forden United vs Barmouth & Dyffryn United was played on 2 May 2023. Both matches were at neutral grounds. +Home teamScoreAway teamNoteRefForden United0–5Barmouth & Dyffryn Unitedat MachynllethRadnor Valley0–0 Llansantffraid Villageat Llanidloes
Final The final was played on 20 May 2023. Llansantffraid were the first to score, through Matthew Williams. Barmouth equalised in first-half stoppage time, to make the score 1–1 at half-time. The second half had chances for both teams, and a free kick in stoppage time, Williams' second, proved to be the winner for Llansantffraid.
It was played at Caersws's Recreation Ground, which also hosted the Ardal North Cup final between Bow Street and Denbigh Town earlier that day.
References