WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH) ROUND-UP

Hay St Marys Reserves are emerging as genuine contenders for the Watson Financial Mid Wales (South) League title following Saturday’s 5-0 win at Builth Wells Reserves. The Saints were on top pretty much through out and forged a three goal lead through Matt Tong, Rob McNamara and Matt Turrell, with a header. Tong added a fourth from the penalty spot after his initial shot was handled on the line. Before the game could restart an incident involving Saints’ Kevin Jones saw the striker sent off along with Builth’s Tom Brown and Scott Davies. Builth’s nine men defended well after the break and Tong had a second penalty saved before Tom Weaver completed the scoring.

Hay are now just six points behind Talgarth Town but have four games in hand on the leaders who fell to a second defeat in a row, beaten 5-3 at Knighton Town Reserves. Liam Davies and Mark Jones saw Knighton two up at the break and Connor Bird increased the lead in the second half. Kyle O,Shea and Alex Simmons reduced the deficit and Talgarth looked capable of salvaging something but they gifted Knighton two goals with Ieuan Webb capitalising both time meaning a second for Simmons was just a consolation for Talgarth.

Manager, Chris Voyle said “They were strengthened by three first teamers which they are allowed and we had a couple missing but we had our chances”.

Brecon Northcote failed to fully cash in on Talgarth’s slip as they were held 3-3 at home by St Harmon who started the day bottom. Joel Evans, the league’s leading marksman, added yet another hat-trick to his impressive tally with Dan Price, Josh Rees and Aaran Bates on target for St Harmon whose point was enough to take them off the bottom.

Llanidloes Town also dropped valuable points and needed a late equaliser from Kieron Matthews to salvage a 2-2 draw at Penybont Reserves. Dylan Howells had given The Daffs the lead but Penybont hit back through topscorer, Daniel Paosila-Jones and Tommy Farmer.

Presteigne Reserves lost ground in the title race with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Rhayader Town Reserves on Friday night. Rhayader had ended 2016 with seven straight league defeats but are hoping The New Year will bring a change in fortune. And it was a good start for The Weirglodd side as goals from Tony Davies and Michael Fowlie gave them the spoils.