by Matt Williams
USW make the short trip to face a Cardiff 5th side who will be eager to take the full share of the spoils.
USW arguably begin as favourites, however their Welsh counterparts will no doubt believe that they have the edge with home turf.
Both sides will be hoping to improve on last season’s league positions, with both sides completing rather disappointing campaigns.
Cardiff 5th finished bottom of the table last season, with a dismal one point to show for their efforts. Cardiff failed to register a single win all season, as they could only manage one draw and seven defeats all season. Their goal difference of -30 was also cause for concern.
As for USW, it was a very mixed yet far smoother season than their opponents. USW finished in fourth place in the table with four wins and four defeats. Their goal difference tally of -8 was a substantial 48 off eventual champions Cardiff 4th (Medics), who themselves managed only one defeat all season.
USW’s hopes will be high for this season, as they chase a first league title since winning the 2B Western Conference in 2008/2009. Their 2008/2009 league title was impressively USW’S third title in four years. Not since those days have USW tasted so much success.
As for Cardiff, they chase a first league title since their 2015/2016 Western 4B success.
Both sides will have optimistic dreams of replicating their successful campaigns of the past.