THE Cwmbran Stadium home of Cwmbran Town is to be inspected early next week as part of the club's bid to gain first-time promotion back to the top-flight Principality Welsh Premier League The grounds of the south-based MacWhirter Welsh League promotion applicants Afan Lido, Bridgend Town, ENTO Aberaman Athletic, Dinas Powys and Cwmbran are to be assessed from Monday.

The stadiumsof northern-based Cymru Alliance promotion applicants Prestatyn Town, Bala Town, GAP Queens Park (Caerleon's Welsh Cup fourth-round hosts on Saturday), Llandudno FC, Flint Town United, Holyhead Hotspurs, CPD Penrhyncoch, Guilsfield FC and Denbigh Town were all inspected last week.

At the time of inspection, the applicant club must produce its audited accounts and balance sheet for the two financial years preceding the current year. Failure to do so will nullify the club's application.

The clubs winning the MWL and CA titles will be promoted - provided they wish to do so and has the required ground standard.

If the club winning the title declines promotion, or does not meet the required ground criteria, the runner-up may be promoted - provided they match the required criteria.

However the Crows would have to find a dramatic improvement in playing form if they are to qualify for promotion from Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh League.

After maintaining the leadership of Division One following a 2-0 win over Gwent rivals Caldicot Town on October 7, the Crows have slipped down to eighth position following an horrendous run of picking up only seven points from the last 30 on offer.

They've not scored in their last six league games and have gone 550 minutes without managing a goal.

Meanwhile Crows defender Steve Evans has joined Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town after making 15 league and cup appearances since arriving from UWIC in pre-season.

l Swindon Town's former Cwmbran striker Kaid Mohamed has been loaned out to Conference outfit Torquay United, who recently knocked Newport County out of the FA Trophy. Mohamed has failed to score in three full and seven substitute appearances for Swindon after netting 12 times for the Crows in 55 games. He made his Torquay debut in a 1-0 win over Histon on Monday night, a game that was shown live on Sentanta Sports 1.

l Sought-after striker Martin Houston has rejected Croesyceiliog's offer to remain in Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh League by agreeing to join Division Three side Goytre.

The Scottish-born marksman had become the subject of a tug-of-war after both trailing clubs recently put seven days notice of approach for him while he was with Cwmbran Town.

He spoke to officials of Croesyceiliog before deciding to link up again with his former Cwmbran manager Sean Wharton, who joined Goytre in an advisory/coaching role in mid-December.

The striker was unavailable for Saturday's home game against Penrhiwceiber Rangers, who won 2-1, but is expected to make his debut at Cwmamman United at the weekend.

Houston signed for Cwmbran from Gwent County League outfit Coed Eva, a club with which Wharton has strong connections, in the summer of 2006.

He went onto score four goals in 10 full and three substitute Welsh Premier League appearances in 2006-07 as the Crows ended their 15-year stay in the top flight by being relegated to the MacWhirter Welsh League.

This season, Houston, 29 in March, has found the back of the net three times in 11+3 league and cup outings Following Cwmbran's relegation, Wharton resigned and had been coaching local junior clubs before he linked up with Goytre, although he has no influence over any team selection.

Goytre have also snapped up burly Mauritius-born defender Yatin Puoaruth, a 21-year-old who has recently moved to the area and has previously appeared for University Queensland in Australia.

l Division Two outfit Tredegar Town are seeking to appoint a commercial manager and interested parties should ring club secretary Riley Gray on 01495 227203.