The big East Gwent kick-off (From Free Press Series)

The big East Gwent kick-off

THE East Gwent Football League kicks off on Saturday and it has proved so popular that a new division has been formed.

Three divisions will play in the league this campaign as there are four new teams battling for glory - Rockfield Rovers, Devauden Green, Tippling Wanderers and Portskewett & Sudbrook C.

Division One will have nine teams in it while Division Two and Three will have eight each.

League secretary Jeremy Gates said: "It's very encouraging that we have new teams wanting to take part. The only disappointment is that we've lost Cross Hops from last season."

Last year's Division One champions Underwood A are expected to go close again this campaign but Sudbrook Cricket Club A have a strong side, as do Tintern Abbey.

In Division Two, Chepstow Athletic are expected to improve on last season's third place while both Caldicot Castle A and Thornwell Burnt Barn A could do well.

Division Three is a bit of a lottery as there are a number of new teams but pre-season favourites are probably Mathern Wanderers.

Fixtures

Wednesday September 1 (6pm kick-off)

Gwent County Inter-League Cup first leg Underwood A v Usk Town

Saturday September 4 (2.45pm kick-off)

Division One Asda v Portskewett & Sudbrook A Caldicot Town v Chepstow Town Undy Athletic A v Rockfield Rovers Sudbrook Cricket Club A v Tintern Abbey

Division Two Portskewett & Sudbrook B v Chepstow Athletic Underwood B v Thornwell A Monmouth Town A v Undy Athletic B

Division Three Devauden Green v Tippling Wanderers Caldicot Castle B v Monmouth Town B Thornwell B v Mathern Wanderers Bulwark v Portskewett & Sudbrook C

Thursday September 7 (6pm kick-off)

Gwent County Inter League Cup second leg Usk Town v Underwood A

East Gwent League (6.15pm kick-off)

Division One Rockfield v Asda

Division Two Thornwell A v Caldicot Castle A Sudbrook Cricket Club B v Undy Athletic B

Division Three Monmouth Town B v Devauden Mathern Wand v Port & Sudbrook C