Abergavenny Town were left without a fixture last Saturday when their intended opponents, West End FC who hail from the Townhill area of Swansea, telephoned at 12:15pm to inform the club that they could not raise a side.

There had been rumours that West End were facing difficulties, but the late withdrawal came after both Town’s Chairman and Secretary had been given assurances by West End at various times in the preceding week that they would be travelling.

Club Chairman Rob Francis commented, “This is an extremely disappointing way to start a season and I feel very sorry for our players and coaching staff who have worked so very hard in pre-season to find that we are not starting at the same time as other teams. We had hoped to introduce Sean Feeley whom we have signed from Croesyceiliog, and Luke Lewis who joins us from Cwmbran Celtic, but this will have to wait.

“We have now received international clearance from the FAW for local lad James Aurelius who joins us from FC Hereford, but are still waiting for clearance for James Harford who is joining us from Forest Green Rovers. These new recruits join Tyla Preece who has transferred from Aberbargoed Buds.”

Next Saturday at Pen-y-Pound, Town begin their Welsh Cup campaign in a Round One qualifying tie against Chepstow Town with a 2.30pm kick-off.