Llandrindod Wells pulled off the result of the day in the Ardal League North East with a fantastic 2-0 win at Bow Street. The Spa Men have made their best start to a season for a number of years and goals from Samed De Groot and Danny Hall downed last season’s runners-up.

De Groot gave Llandrindod an early lead when his dangerous ball into the box found its way into the net. Bow Street created a number of chances to equalise but found keeper, James Barker in top form while there were outstanding defensive displays too from Llandrindod captain, Shaun Nicholls and Gavin Rowlands. Barker even saved a penalty from Rhys Hughes 10 minutes into the second half and Llandrindod made sure of the points with a second goal in stoppage time. A quickly taken free-kick from Jack Evans found substitute, Danny Hall, who turned sharply to rifle home his first of the season and make it three wins in a row for Llandrindod.

Knighton Town were also looking for a third straight win but needed a late penalty from Kieran Dovey to salvage a point in a 3-3 draw with visiting Penycae. Dovey put The Radnor Robins ahead early on but Penycae, who have themselves made a bright start to the term, levelled through Osian Williams before Thomas Edwards put them ahead in first half stoppage time. When Ben Buley netted a third for the North Wales side six minutes into the second half, Knighton, who were without Luke Boundford and Sam Hoyle, had to show their character and they did. Taylor Wozencraft immediately reduced the deficit with his first goal of the season from the penalty spot and when Knighton were awarded a second spot-kick on 88 minutes, Dovey held his nerve to score his second of the afternoon and maintain The Robins’ unbeaten start.

Radnor Valley were unlucky to lose at Kerry in midweek but a depleted side could have no complaints at a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Corwen at the weekend. A clinical finish from Calum Butler gave the visitors an interval lead and Radnor were fortunate to still be in the game at half-time. Butler struck again midway through the second period when a ball over the top caught out the Radnor defence and two late goals sealed Radnor’s second biggest home defeat since stepping up to the Ardal League. Patrick Hinchcliffe turned home a Calyn Spencer cross at the far post before Butler completed Radnor’s misery and his own hat-trick with a stunning overhead kick.

Builth Wells, like Radnor, had a host of players unavailable and were without probably eight would be starters for their trip to North Wales where they lost 4-1 at Rhos Aelwyd. Aled Parry made the breakthrough for the hosts on 25 minutes but Builth felt they should have had a penalty and seen a red card for the opposition when Will Evans was blatantly clipped when through on goal. Ironically Rhos Aelwyd went straight down the other end and Declan Molyneux netted their second. James Rumsey added a third but Ryan Powell, who always gives everything in the Builth cause, volleyed one back from Brad Rollinson’s corner on the stroke of half-time. That gave Builth a glimmer of hope for the second half but a fourth Rhos Aelwyd goal from Ryan Jenkins on the hour completed the scoring.

Llanuwchllyn are so far justifying their tag as title favourites and head the table following a 3-0 win at Llanrhaeadr with goals from Dale Davies and Meilir Williams (2). Williams was the league’s topscorer last season and is again leading the scoring charts with 10 goals already this time.

Behind him is Cefn Albion’s Alex Williams who scored twice as his side defeated Kerry 4-2 to remain second. Williams, Tom Broadhurst and Dion Gibbins saw Albion into a three-goal interval lead. Kerry, inspired by Neil Mitchell, staged a spirited second half recovery scoring through James Stovell and Jamie Huxley and also hit the bar before Williams netted his second deep in stoppage time.

Josh Astley guided Llanfair United to a 4-1 home success over Llangollen Town with a hat-trick while Harvey Morris was also on target. Will Gruffydd also scored three as Dolgellau ran out comfortable 6-2 winners over Lex X1 who are finding it hard going. Gerwyn Williams, Ioan Roberts and Dennis Bates also chipped in with Sebb Kidd scoring both Lex goals in stoppage time.

Brecon Corries had an afternoon to forget as they crashed to an 8-0 defeat at Cwmbran Town in the Ardal League South East. It was the first league meeting between the clubs in more than 30 years and Cwmbran, once of the Welsh Premier League, forged a three-goal half-time lead before rattling in five more after the break.

Harry Russell, Daniel Pritchard and Joseph Cashman scored in the first half with Liam Head (2), Samuel O’Sullivan (2) and Jaye Bowen completing the spree for The Crows, who on this showing look serious title contenders.

It was a disappointing weekend all round for Corries who saw their Youth team fall to a 7-2 defeat at Cardiff Draconians Under 21’s in the FAW National Reserve League South East on Sunday. Leo Davies and Jamie Williams (pen) netted the Corries’ goals in the second half.

Rhayader Town made it two wins from two in the MMP Central Wales League (South) coming from behind to beat Llanilar 4-2 on The Weirglodd.

Sion Herman gave The Red Kites the lead but that was immediately cancelled out by a Cameron Mills own goal. Osian Simpson-Jones then put Llanilar, who are managed by former Builth Wells man, Justin Claridge, ahead five minutes before half-time. Both sides played the second half with 10 men after Rhayader’s Ollie Leadbetter and Llanilar’s Sion Pugh saw red and Ryan Addison levelled the scores and then missed a penalty for Rhayader. But it was not to prove costly as Stevie Walsh edged Rhayader in front on 87 minutes with his first senior goal after being set up by player-coach, Lance Jones who marked his first appearance for 18 months with a fourth goal himself from an almost impossible angle.

Ffostrasol moved level with Lampeter Town at the top of the early season table with a second half strike from Keane Moore enough for a 1-0 win at Kerry Reserves.

There were hat-tricks for Calum Humphreys and Alfie Westwood as Machynlleth hammered Aberystwyth Town Development 12-0 while there were also wins for Caersws Development and Bow Street Reserves. Luca Hughes was another hat-trick man as Caersws beat Bont 4-1 and Harvey Matthews netted twice for Bow Street in their 4-1 success at struggling Llanidloes Town.

The league will now run with 13 teams following Penybont United’s withdrawal last week citing the loss of players to neighbouring clubs as the reason. The Polecats had intended running two senior teams this season but will now run just one in the Mid Wales league (South).

Llanfyllin Town, who won just three games last season, are the surprise early leaders in the MMP Central Wales League (North) following a 2-0 victory over Welshpool Town. James Faulks and Rhys Langley scored the goals for Llanfyllin who have now won three from three this time.

Jake O’Donnell bagged a hat-trick and Josh Lenc was also on target as Forden United beat Dolgellau Reserves 4-1 while Waterloo Rovers overcame Bishops Castle 2-1 at home, with Owain Richards grabbing a late winner.

Llansantffraid Village picked up their first points with Haghi Drammeh (2), Patrick Udoh, Ken Kaninda and Armani Bennett on the mark in a 5-2 win over Berriew whose Richard Davies and Alex Siddi replied.

Abermule, who saw a lot of players depart in the summer, also won for the first time with goals from Nathan Gray and Nathan Ashley seeing them to a 2-1 victory at Barmouth whose Leo Green missed a penalty.

Lee Jones (2), Tom Halliday, Jack Williams and substitute, Robbie Hartshorn (2) contributed to Montgomery Town’s 5-0 win at Trewern United while Four Crosses were the division’s topscorers on Saturday. Crosses trounced Dyffryn Banw 8-0 with Lewis Birch completing a hat-trick and George Lloyd netting twice.

Sezar Cakmak grabbed a late equaliser for Presteigne St Andrews to rob Brecon FC of all three points on the opening night of the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) season as it ended 1-1 at Llanandras Park.

Brecon have enjoyed a successful pre-season and enjoyed the better of the first half with Presteigne keeper, Jordan Bailey producing some top saves. Presteigne also had their moments but former Corries keeper, Declan Gaydon was also in fine form. Brecon did make the breakthrough just a minute before half-time when Owain Powell-Jones turned well to finish from just outside the six-yard box. As the second half progressed it looked as if that one goal would be enough for victory but with just a minute left on the clock, Cakmak netted for Presteigne with a diving header from a super Niall Rhodes cross.

The points were also shared between Builth Wells Reserves and Penybont United who played out a goalless draw on The Lant Field while there were wins for Rhayader Town Development and Hay St Marys.

Rhayader were celebrating a 4-0 victory over arch rivals, Llandrindod Wells Reserves whose performance was better than the scoreline suggests. Llandrindod started brightly but an Aaron Bates penalty on 33 minutes and a Jacob Jones effort just before half-time saw the game shift in Rhayader’s favour. Llandrindod tried to get back in it in the second half but two late goals from former Penybont striker, Owain Rowlands on his full Rhayader debut sealed the win.

Hay St Marys were 5-2 winners against St Harmon racing into an early three-goal lead through Ricky Lynes, Darren Horrigan and Tyler Maddy. Horrigan struck again soon after half-time before Adam Watson pulled one back for The Swifts. Lynes grabbed his second on ninety minutes although Adam Young got an even later consolation for St Harmon.

It did not all quite go to plan on the opening week-end with Hay St Mays Development team unable to raise a side for their scheduled opener at fellow newcomers, Knighton Town Reserves.

Elsewhere, Hay St Marys Reserves went down to a 4-2 defeat at Dowlais in the RTM Merthyr Brickwork League despite another spirited performance. Richard Meredith gave The Saints an early lead but Rhys Thomas (2) and Sion Martin saw Dowlais 3-1 ahead at half-time. Haydn Morgan revived Hay hopes when he reduced the deficit on 55 minutes but Thomas completed a hat-trick for Dowlais from the penalty spot to settle matters.

MMP Central Wales League (South) (7.30)

Rhayader Town v Kerry Res

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (6.30)

Builth Wells Res v Presteigne St Andrews

Hay St Marys Development v Brecon FC

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (6.30)

Builth Wells Res v Knighton Town Res

Hay St Marys v Hay St Marys Development

Llandrindod Wells Res v St Harmon

JD Welsh Cup 2nd Qualifying Round (2.00)

Brecon Corries v Cefn Cribwr

Llanerch-y-Medd v Rhayader Town

Pwlheli v Knighton Town

RTM Brickwork Merthyr League (2.00)

Hay St Marys Res v Gurnos FC Development

FAW National Reserve League South East (2.00)

Brecon Corries Youth v Cardiff Corries Under 21’s

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (6.30)

Hay St Marys Development v Rhayader Town Development

Knighton Town Res v Penybont United

Presteigne St Andrews v Hay St Marys

St Harmon v Builth Wells Res

Talgarth Town v Llandrindod Wells Res

MMP Central Wales League (South) (7.30)

Machynlleth v Rhayader Town

RTM Brickwork Merthyr League (7.30)

Hay St Marys Res v Pantyscallog Village