Builth Wells put on a masterclass against the league leaders and a stoppage time strike denied victory for Brecon Corries in a six-goal thriller.

ARDAL LEAGUE NORTH EAST

Builth Wells produced the result and performance of the day as they beat Caersws 2-0 on The Lant Field in the Ardal League North East. The Bulls went toe to toe with the league leaders and came out on top with a goal in each half from Tommy Rowlands and Danny Ives.

Caersws started brightly but Builth, who were without Lee James (suspended) and Lyndon Jones and Christian Jones (both injured), soon got to grips with the game and forced a number of corners. Tommy Rowlands hit a volley narrowly wide while at the other end, Builth ‘keeper, Zeke Vivian did well to save Matt Mumford’s header. It was Builth who broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time with a superb 25 yard strike from Rowlands which gave Caersws ‘keeper, Jack Perry no chance.

The hard working Bulls added a second on 59 minutes when Jamie Evans battled in the box and the ball fell kindly for experienced midfielder, Danny Ives to poke home. It might have been three almost immediately but Perry made a fine save from a Rhys Thomas header when the impressive Gavin Rowlands crossed. Scott Williams did head against the woodwork for Caersws but that apart, Builth, who had Jack Hammond making his first start since August, rarely looked like conceding as they saw the game out for a well deserved three points.

Llandrindod Wells came from behind to beat Penycae 3-1 at home and extend their winning run to four with goals from Tom Durant, Ashley Jones and Robbie Nicholls.

Rhayader Town were without a game but dropped to the foot of the table as Corwen picked up a point in a 3-3 draw at Llangollen Town. Llanrhaeadr also pulled off a priceless 1-0 home win over Dolgellau with substitute, Sean Griffiths scoring the all important goal in the second half.

Cefn Albion closed the gap on Caersws at the top with a 1-0 victory at Rhos Aelwyd where Alex Williams bagged the only goal and Bow Street stay third after a Sion Ewart double secured a 2-1 win at Llanuwchllyn.

Goals from Josh Lenc and Will Tomas gave Welshpool Town a 2-0 home success over local rivals, Llanfair United on Friday night. After winning their opening seven league games, faltering Llanfair have now failed to win in their last seven.

ARDAL LEAGUE SOUTH EAST

Brecon Corries had to settle for a point in an exciting 3-3 draw at Chepstow Town in the Ardal League South East. Corries and Chepstow were two of five teams locked together on 24 points in the league table going into Saturday’s clash when a late goal from Ben Thompson robbed Corries of all three points.

Chepstow took the lead midway through the first half through Harry Waterhouse but Nathan Williams equalised in first half stoppage time. Joel Evans then put Brecon ahead early in the second half but Josh Parsons regained parity before receiving his marching orders. Corries captain, Dale Evans must have thought he had won it when he scored from the penalty spot on ninety minutes but Chepstow had the last word with Thompson saving them a point deep into stoppage time.

CENTRAL WALES CUP

Llandrindod Wells are the only local side remaining in this season’s Central Wales Cup. The Spa side will host Caersws in the 3rd Round after beating Tier Two side Penrhyncoch 1-0 on The Broadway last Wednesday night. A goal from Robbie Nicholls after just three minutes settled a tight midweek affair as Llandrindod kept a third clean sheet in a row,

Out of the competition however are Builth Wells, Rhayader Town, Knighton Town and Radnor Valley who all suffered defeats last week.

Builth Wells entertained Cup holders, Llanidloes Town on Sunday and fell to a 3-0 defeat on The Lant Field. Both sides looked tired after tough games the previous day and although Builth probably edged the first half it was The Daffs who held a two-goal interval lead. George Clarke volleyed the first following a corner and Josh Hartrick got a second just before the break after a defensive mix-up. That goal virtually killed the tie and Llanidloes saw it out with former Knighton Town striker, Connor Bird adding a third goal just moments after coming on as a substitute.

Radnor saw their 11-match winning run came to an end with a 4-1 defeat at Costcutter Ceredigion League first division leaders, Ffostrasol. And to add to their woe they had player-manager, Elliot Morris sent off five minutes from time. Ffrostasol scored in the first half through Tomos Rogers and Dion Phillips and Michael Wilcox extended the lead on the hour. Jack Price gave Radnor a glimmer of hope when he pulled one back but Wilcox grabbed his second for Ffostrasol after Morris had picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

Knighton Town made their exit after being beaten 2-1 at home by Abermule. Callum Stead had handed the Radnor Robins an early lead but Rhys Morris equalised with eleven minutes remaining and a late own goal from ‘keeper, Jamie Griffiths proved decisive.

Knighton will be disappointed as they had made it to the 3rd round with a shock 4-2 victory at Rhayader Town last Tuesday night in a tie which produced three red cards. Kieran Dovey put The Radnor Robins ahead but Ryan Addison had Rhayader back on terms by half-time.

Goals from Declan Beddoes and Billy Hyett just before the hour mark put Knighton back in the ascendancy and Rhayader’s problems were mounting when captain, Joe Wozencraft was sent off. Substitute, Connor O’Connell extended Knighton’s lead but they too were reduced to ten when goalscorer, Beddoes saw red. Rhayader’s Cameron Mills picked up the tie’s third red card before Grant Stamp got a goal back but it could not dampen Knighton celebrations.

So Abermule, Ffostrasol and Llanidloes Town are through to the quarter finals along with Welshpool Town who won 4-3 on penalties at Penparcau on Sunday. The tie ended at 1-1 after extra-time with Jamie Clewlow giving Welshpool a lead which was cancelled out by a Mattie Davies penalty before half-time.

The outstanding 3rd Round ties are:-

Dolgellau v Newtown Development Team, Llandrindod Wells v Caersws, Llanfair United v Bow Street, Llansantffraid v Guilsfield

MMP CENTRAL WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Hay St Marys regained top spot in the MMP Central Wales League (South) with a 6-1 victory over local rivals, Talgarth Town. Matty Tong and Jack Cripps each scored twice and Ricky Lynes and Jack Biggs were also on target as The Saints returned to winning ways following back to back Cup defeats.

Tong is the league’s top goalscorer and gave Hay an early lead and then two in as many minutes from Jack Cripps right on half-time really did put The Saints in control.

That double salvo seemed to knock the stuffing out of Talgath and Hay rattled in three more goals through Tong, Ricky Lynes and Jack Biggs (pen). Hay’s Harry Ratcliffe was sent off before substitute, Jayden Stansfield gained a late consolation for Talgarth.

Having conceded twenty times in their previous two league games, Penybont United will see a 4-0 defeat at Llanilar as a marked improvement. Particularly as they had to play virtually the entire game with ten men following the 7th minutes dismissal of Aled Williams. Osian Simpson-Jones, Ioan Jones (2) and Kieron Reynolds netted for Llanilar in the first half but ten man Penybont stuck to their task keeping a clean sheet after the break.

Elsewhere in the MMP Central Wales League (South), there were wins for Tregaron and Aberaeron. Liam Jones scored twice in the second half to help Tregaron to a 3-1 verdict over Aberystwyth University. Will Williams had put Tregaron ahead with Jonathan Mead levelling for the students before half-time.

Aberaeron came from two down to beat Machynlleth 4-3 and notch their first win of The New Year. Steff Llyr Evans (2), Keelan Noble and Caio Carruthers netted for Aberaeron with Dillon Browne, Calum Humphreys and Alfie Westwood the Mach marksmen.

MMP CENTRAL WALES LEAGUE (NORTH)

It is as you were at the top of the MMP Central Wales League (North) following wins for Barmouth, Kerry and Llansantffraid village. Barmouth remain five points clear in top spot after a hat-trick from Paul Lewis, the league’s leading marksman, secured a 3-1 win at Waterloo Rovers.

Second placed, Kerry, who have signed proven goalscorer, Richard Davies from Llanfair United, were indebted to captain, Daryl McWatt who headed a stoppage time winner as they edged a 4-3 verdict over Montgomery Town. Llansantffraid eased to a 6-1 victory at Carno who had Ioan Humphreys and Oliver Lewis sent off in the first half. Rob Carruthers (2), Iain Edmunds (pen), Liam Pickstock, Matthew Williams and player-manager, Marc Griffiths shared the goals.

Bishops Castle made it seven wins in a row with Toby Mills (2), Martyn Ziemann, Sam Nadal and Will Morgan contributing to a 5-0 success over bottom of the table Berriew.

Four Crosses, who had not won in eleven, caused the shock of the day beating Tywyn Bryncrug 2-1 away thanks to Rhys Owen and Billy Clarke. Trewern United triumphed 2-1 at Dyffryn Banw with goals from Scott Beddoes and Luke Francis while Meifod trounced Llanfyllin Town 12-1 with Zakh Ward-Penn-Harrigan scoring four and Harry Dunn completing a hat-trick.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Newcastle moved four points clear at the top of the Watson financial Mid Wales League (South) with a 5-1 win at Presteigne St Andrews Reserves. The Shropshire side are unbeaten in the league this time and that record was never threatened as they built a 3-0 half-time lead at Llanandras Park with goals from Curt Pickford, Calum Evans and Morgan Oakley. Billy Lewis reduced the deficit with a second half penalty for Presteigne but the in-form Oakley immediately netted his second with Matthew Jones completing Newcastle’s nap hand.

St Harmon were again frustrated as their home match against Hay St Marys Reserves was postponed due to no referee being available meaning, through no fault of their own, The Swifts have not played for five weeks.

FAW NATIONAL RESERVE LEAGUE CENTRAL

Rhayader Town made it back to back wins in the FAW National Reserve League Central for the first time this season with a 2-1 success at Dolgellau on Sunday. The young Red Kites followed up their 7-0 thumping of Llanfair United the previous week with another victory. Topscorer, Sam Crumpton was Rhayader’s shooting star with a goal in each half with Darrell Johns equalising for Dolgellau in the first period.

There was defeat for Llandrindod Wells who were beaten 5-1 at Llanidloes Town last Monday night. Llanidloes were quick out of the blocks with Gregg Brown netting twice inside the opening four minutes. Danny Hall pulled one back for Llandrindod but Mason Jones (2) and Josh Jones struck before half-time for The Daffs and that’s how it remained following a goalless second half.

Llanidloes strengthened their hold on second spot in the table with a 3-2 win at local rivals, Caersws on Friday night. Steven Davies. Gregg Brown and Harri Clarke put Llanidloes three up before Caersws staged a late rally reducing the deficit through Callum Jones and Gareth Owen who both scored against their former club.

It is Bow Street who are homing in on the title following a comfortable 4-0 home success over Llanfair United. Shaun Wyn Jones completed a hat-trick with Joseff Williams also netting from the penalty spot.

Penrhyncoch beat Welshpool Town 2-1 with Geoff Kellaway grabbing the winner. Zac Davies had put Penrhyn ahead but Ethan Kinsey levelled for Welshpool before half-time.