Teams in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) could play one another three or four times next season due to a reduction of numbers, writes Paul Worts.

League officials admit it is not ideal, but the league has been hit by a further reduction in numbers and could have just five teams in membership for the 2022-2023 season.

The league lost the reserve teams of Llandrindod Wells, Llanidloes Town and Rhayader Town last season with the introduction of the FAW National Reserve League, while Caersws Reserves had also applied to join.

Now Builth Wells Reserves will have to play in the new reserve league due to their first team’s promotion, while Brecon, Knighton Town, Penybont United, Presteigne St Andrews and Talgarth Town have applied to join the Central Wales League.

Felindre, Newcastle, Presteigne Reserves and St Harmon are the only sides to commit with Knighton Town also possibly running a reserve team. Hay St Marys Reserves are undecided and could explore the option of playing in Herefordshire.

The introduction of the reserve league and the fact there are now two divisions at Tier Four has hit the Mid Wales League (South) hard and the league is to hold another meeting to try and find a way forward for next season.

Officials have vowed to try and carry on and long serving treasurer, Phil Woosnam said: “If the league were to fold for a season it will never come back

“I do not think the situation we are in is the fault of the Mid Wales League (South) committee.”

The Montgomery Amateur League is also struggling for numbers.

One way to create more games is for the Mid Wales League (South) and their neighbours to amalgamate in a cup competition, with two groups and the top two in each going through to contest the semi-finals.