Fenix Trophy: dates set for Llantwit-Berchem clash

FAW (@CymruLeagues)

The dates have been set for Llantwit Major's Fenix Trophy clash with Belgian club Berchem Sport.

The Cymru South club are making only their second appearance in the European competition for semi-pro and amateur clubs.

This year's tournament reverts to a knockout format - with Ben Stait's side travelling to Antwerp for the first leg of their first round tie on Wednesday 9th October (8.30pm CET ko)

The return leg will be played the following month at the STM Glass Stadium in Bridgend - home of Cymru Premier club Penybont - on Wednesday 13th November (7.30pm GMT ko)

According to a club spokesperson, the decision to move the game to Penybont was made "to ensure the Welsh weather doesn't get in the way".

The winners will go onto face either Danish club BK Skjold of Copenhagen or German side Athletic Sonnenberg in the second round - with the knockout stages set to be played in the Milan area later this season.

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Berchem Sport, who have a chequered history in Belgian football, play in Division Two - the fourth tier of the national league - at Ludo Coeckstadion on the southern outskirts of the city.

The club spent a total of 41 seasons playing in the Belgian top flight, finishing as runners-up on three successive seasons from 1948 - 1951.

They have also won several titles in the lower leagues - most recently, they were crowned Division Four champions in the 2011-12 season.

Berchem's ground is named after the late midfielder Ludo Coeck, who joined his hometown club as a 16 year-old, before going onto play for Anderlecht and Inter Milan, as well as winning 46 caps for Belgium. His career was tragically cut short when he died in a car crash in 1985.

Llantwit's debut season in the Trophy saw them beat Skjold 1-0 at home in their first game in February, before a narrow 3-2 defeat in Copenhagen in April.

They also held Enfield Town to a 1-1 draw at a breezy Windmill Lane following a 3-2 defeat away to the London club, but missed out on the knockout stages of the competition.

Major are currently 7th in the Cymru South table following back-to-back wins against Afan Lido and Taffs Well over the Bank Holiday.

The league campaign resumes on Saturday, when they visit Pontypridd United (2.30 ko).

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