BOTH Caerleon and Croesyceiliog will head to the outskirts of Cardiff in March to make their bids to secure an all-Gwent final of the Nathaniel League Cup.

Croesyceiliog are first up on Wednesday, March 5 when they visit the Rhiw Dda'r, home of Taffs Well, to tackle MacWhirter Welsh League Division One rivals Bryntirion Athletic.

Bryntirion are managed by former Cwmbran Town striker Francis Ford, who helped the Crows to the inaugural 1992-93 League of Wales title, while Croesyceiliog have Ford's ex-Cwmbran Stadium team-mate, goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan, on their books. Currently fourth, Bryntirion are 16 points ahead of 15th-placed Croesyceiliog, who have played a game more.

Bryntirion won 6-2 at Croesyceiliog back in October and the teams will have a chance to size each other up before their semi final clash when they meet at Bryntirion in the reverse league fixtureon February 9.

The second semi will take place on Wednesday, March 12 when Caerleon travel to Wenvoe to face Port-Talbot-based Goytre United, at the home of Ely Rangers.

Promotion-seeking United are top of the MWL Division One table,ninth-placed Caerleon are 10 points adrift but with a couple of games in hand, and the sides have not yet met in the league this season.

Neither Caerleon or Croesyceiliog have ever reached the final and the last Gwent winners were Llanwern, who defeated Gwynfi United at Neath in 2001-02.

l Other semi-final venues and dates: Harris Printers (Reserve Division) Shield, semi-finals (2pm kick-offs): Saturday, March 1 at Cold Bath Road, Caerleon - Caerleon v Neath Athletic. Saturday. March 15 at Ty-Isaf Park, Risca - Risca Utd v Bryntirion Athletic.

MacWhirter (Youth Division) Cup, semi-finals (2pm kick-offs): Sunday, March 16 at Celtic Park, Cwmbran - Cwmbran Celtic v Merthyr Tydfil; at Richmond Park, Carmarthen or Bryntirion Park, Bryntirion - Carmarthen Town or Bryntirion Ath v Pontardawe Town.

l Three Gwent clubs have received an unexpected boost in their battle against avoiding relegation from the MacWhirter Welsh League.

Abertillery Excelsiors are currently bottom of the Division Three table with 10 points from 19 games, Monmouth Town are three places above the two-strong drop zone with 16 points from as many games while Aberbargoed Buds are one position better off with the same number if points having played one match less.

But the trio have been handed a huge tonic by the MWL management committee, which has deducted fellow-strugglers Seven Sisters three points for failing to fulfil a fixture on Boxing Day.

Despite players being given adequate notice of the fixture, Seven Sisters were unable to raise a team for the home festive game against Newcastle Emlyn.

Following the deduction, the Dulais Valley team, which has also been fined £250 for the offence, is still positioned immediately below Monmouth - but now has only 12 points from 14 outings.

One of the Buds' games which has yet to be rearranged following a recent postponement is a trip to face Seven Sisters, who must visit Excelsiors on St David's Day, March 1, Goytre three weeks later, Monmouth on April 5 and the Buds a fortnight later.