SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1
RADNOR Valley made the perfect start to their Spar Mid Wales League first division campaign with a 3-0 home success over Radnorshire rivals, Llandrindod Wells on Friday night. Two goals from Joey Price and one from debutant, Liam Jones gave Radnor the spoils as they took their chances while Llandrindod did not.
Price put Radnor ahead from brother, Ieuan’s through ball and added his second early in the second half netting from a tight angle from an Elliot Morris cross. Robbie Nicholls was a constant threat for Llandrindod in a feisty derby but Radnor secured the points with Price this time the provider squaring for Jones to bury a third Radnor goal.
Knighton Town were eyeing an opening day victory at Llanidloes Town but fell to a 3-2 defeat where they had ‘keeper, Joe Prosser sent off inside the first ten minutes following an incident with Drew Reynolds. To make matters worse, Llanidloes were awarded a penalty which was converted by Steve Jones. Danny Ives took over between the posts but Knighton’s ten men took the game to the Daffs with Connor Bird levelling from Adam Worton’s through ball just after half-time. A header from Reynolds put Llanidloes back in front but Knighton hit back with Worton again the provider for the lively Bird to grab his second. Just as Knighton were looking to have earned a well deserved point, Llanidloes got a controversial late winner with an under pressure Ives turning the ball into his own net in a crowded goalmouth although The Robins claimed the ball had not crossed the line.
Carno, runners-up last season, are looking to go one better but started with a 3-1 defeat at a much improved Tywyn Bryncrug. Andy Evans netted for Carno but Tywyn, who played much of the second half with ten men following a red card, took the spoils through Aled Jones (2) and Tom Allen Davies.
Berriew were also stunned as they slipped to a 2-1 reversal at home against Bow Street. Karl Seliaerts had put Berriew ahead but goals from Matt Evans and Tom Williams, in the last five minutes, gave Bow Street an encouraging three points.
Welshpool Town, who struggled last season, ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Borth United with goals from Ian Probert, Josh Morgan, Chris Roberts and Ricky Lichfield while Llanfair United, relegated from the Huws Gray Alliance won 2-1 at Churchstoke thanks to Ben Jones and Andrew Hughes.
Kerry marked their return to Division One with a 4-3 verdict at Machynlleth with Mark Hughes completing a hat-trick while debutant, Max McLaughlin was also on the mark. Charlie Jellett, Sion Jones and Callum Page netted for Machynlleth who will be disappointed having hit back from 3-1 down to draw level.
Dan Graham was another striker to bag an opening day day-trick as Llanrhaeadr came from a goal down to beat Aberaeron 4-1 at home. Glenn Evans completed the win for Llanrhaeadr, who had player-manager,Mark Griffiths sent off on the stroke of half-time, after Mattie Davies had given Aberaeron the lead.
SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2
HAY St Marys were celebrating a 3-0 win at Dyffryn Banw on the opening day of the Spar Mid Wales league second division season. It is a season of rebuilding for The Saints following the departure of a host of players from Forest Road. They have turned to youth but still need the valuable experience of the likes of captain Chris Preece and striker, Kevin Jones. Preece was man of the match on Saturday while it was Jones who set Hay on their way when he fired the opening goal from 40 yards, his shot dipping over the home ‘keeper. Manager, Gareth Jenkins, who is staying on and will run the team jointly with Paul Burke, made positional changes at half-time and they worked with the impressive Will Goodwin adding a second goal after goalscorer, Jones turned provider. A big physical Banw continued to pump balls into the box but Preece and his defence stood tall and Hay grabbed a third on the counter attack with Goodwin breaking and cutting the ball back to Callum Maddy who fired across the ‘keeper.
Presteigne also picked up three opening day points although made hard work of seeing off an understrength Talgarth Town. Tom Crichton gave Presteigne an early lead with a header at the back post and the visitors went on to squander a string of chances which allowed Matthew Lloyd to put Talgarth level on the stroke of half-time. Talgarth led in the second half when Harry Sharman scored on the break but Josh gardner cut in from the left to smash Presteigne’s second before new signing, Jack Biggs grabbed the winner as ne bent his effort into the top corner after agajn cutting in field.
Brecon Northcote’s first ever game in the Spar Mid Wales League saw them make the long trip to Dolgellau where they suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat. Joel Evans, last season’s top goalscorer in the Mid Wales League (South) showed he can score at the higher level as he twice put Northcote back on terms as goals from Dennis Bates (2) and Iwan Kojs nicked the points for Dolgellau.
Injury hit Newbridge collected a point in a 1-1 draw against Montgomery Town on Friday night in what was a cracking game of football. Stand-in ‘keeper, Alfie Stonefield made a superb double save to keep Montgomery at bay and Ollie Woods gave Newbridge the lead shooting through a crowded goalmouth on the stroke of half-time. The second half saw Newbridge captain, Aeron Powell pulling the strings in midfield and new signing Jake Bufton and Woods hit the post and bar respectively. Montgomery equalised through Sam Davies following a long ball forward after which Newbridge made a spirited attempt to find a winner but were nevertheless pleased to open their points tally.
In Friday night’s other game there were plenty of goals as Abermule and Llansantffraid Village played out a 4-4 draw. Dave Anthony, so often among the topscorers in Division Two, led the way with a hat-trick while Stuart Emberton was also on target for Abermule.