THE Vale of Glamorgan Football League has reached its midway point with St Athan sitting atop of the Premier Division table, with the season so far already serving up plenty of shocks and drama.

The decision to cut the Vale's top division to seven clubs playing each other three times was a controversial one, however this year's competitive start would suggest it appears to be paying off.

With the big sides regularly taking points off one another, just four points currently separate first from fifth, with the two bottom sides Island Marine and Penarth Town far from cut adrift. Cowbridge Town, rooted to the foot of the table for much of the campaign, are on a four match unbeaten run that has seen them rise up to fourth place and within title contention.

Barry Athletic were the initial pace setters but a recent poor run of form has seen St Athan take top spot, however FC Barry Belgrade are also in the running at the midway stage, two points behind the leaders in third with three games in hand.

In Division One, Sully Sports are racing clear as they look to claim a first title since 2014. Unbeaten, and five points clear of second place with two games in hand, their lead looks to be almost insurmountable going into the second half of the season.

SP Billy are having one of their best seasons in years to find themselves in second place, while Barry Saints have continued the form that saw them earn promotion last season to sit third.

Cardiff Airport have found a run of wins to lift them up the league while Cogan Coronation, despite an indifferent spell, sit fifth. Tynewydd and Cadoxton Athletic have been dangerous in patches, while the bottom three of Cwm Talwg, Cadoxton Imps and Penarth Town B are more than capable of producing the results to lift themselves out of trouble.

Llantwit Major continue to dominate Division Two, with the Welsh League club's reserve side having a 100 per cent record in the league. Cadoxton Barry and Vale Madrid appear to be their challengers, although the latter's form has dipped in recent weeks with only one win in five.

BRT Dynamos, AFC Rhoose B and Island Marine B are all well equipped to push on in the second half of the season into promotion spots, while Barry Albion, St Athan B, BV and Glenbrook will all be looking for an upturn in their fortunes to start climbing the league.

The New Year sees the beginning of the divisional ASRS, Supporters and Dockers cup competitions, while the Barry Cup semi-finals will be contested in Marc between St Athan, FC Barry Belgrade, Barry Athletic and Llantwit Major.

League fixtures are set to resume on Saturday, January 6.