Talgarth Town put on an imperious display as they defeated visitors Llanon 4-0 in the first round of the Emrys Morgan Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Talgarth Town 4 - Llanon 0
The Breconshire hosts broke the deadlock through a first half penalty converted by captain Harry Sharman which was awarded by referee Alaw Bowkett, despite the protests made by the Ceredigion League club.
Llanon had chances to level but were made to pay six minutes before the interval when Sharman was alert enough to latch on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Tom Bevan before clinically finishing past Louis Hunt with a superb half-volley.
The Breconshire club virtually claimed their place in the draw for the next round of the competition when Daniel Scaife spectacularly headed home a 53rd minute free-kick played into the Llanon penalty area by Tom Sharman-Jones at the near post.
The scoring was completed in the 90th minute when a Harry Sharman free-kick out on the right found its way to an unmarked Steve Potter at the far post and the former Brecon Corries defender was on hand to lash the ball home.
Talgarth are on cup duty again next week when they travel to Tranch FC in the Gwent Central League (Open Cup).
Treharris Athletic Western 1 - Brecon Corries 5
Paul Keddle scored twice as Brecon Corries continued their climb up the Ardal League South East table with a five star showing at Treharris.
Corries are now in the top six with just one defeat in their last six in the league and that was against leaders, Trethomas Bluebirds.
Damien Daniels’ side travelled over The Beacons at the weekend and raced into a three goal lead with 16-year-old Mitchell Davies, who has been ever-present this season, opening the scoring with his first goal for the club with a cool finish after being set up by Craig Evans.
Joel Evans headed the second from brother, Craig’s cross and Keddle then scored a looping header with Craig Evans again providing the assist. Treharris, who were tenth in the Ardal League South West last season, pulled a goal back through Sharief Nassoro who hit a 30-yard screamer but the influential Keddle, who is showing no signs of slowing down, netted his second in first half stoppage time when he was quickest to react to a loose ball. It was all over as a contest by half-time and Corries, who could have won by a wider margin, added to their tally in the second half with Craig Evans turning from provider to goalscorer as he completed the nap hand after taking on a couple of defenders and finding space to fire home.
Corries are away at local rivals, Hay St Marys in the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy on Saturday.
Radnor Valley 4 - Penycae 3
Radnor Valley are up to fourth in the Ardal League North East after first half goals from Ieuan Price (2), Callum Matthews and Joey Price paved the way for victory over Penycae.
The Goats have now lost just one in six starts in the league since their promotion but will face far tougher tests than they did at the weekend.
Ieuan Price opened the scoring on twelve minutes when he controlled a Rees Morris cross and fired into the bottom corner. Matthews then latched on to a headed clearance from Dale Richards but failed to get sufficient power into his goal bound effort. Radnor ‘keeper, Otto Jones denied Gary Evans with his legs at the other end before Zac Davies levelled the scores from the penalty spot when Jack Price brought down Alex Rowlands.
Radnor were back in front on the half hour with Ieuan Price breaking from halfway to coolly finish past the visitors’ Dan Clark. A minute later it was three for The Goats with Elliot Morris putting Matthews clear to round the ‘keeper. Penycae were poor at the back and Matthews was again allowed to run clear but this time Clark saved. But they did increase their lead before half-time with a clever flick through from Matthews setting up Joey Price.
The second half started in a similar vein with Radnor substitute, Jack Williams denied by Clark with his first touch after Ieuan and Joey Price combined. Clark then saved twice from Joey Price as it looked a case of how many Radnor would score.
But they rang the changes and after that appeared to lack cohesion and leadership and sloppy defending allowed Zac Davies to reduce the deficit. And they might have endured some anxious late moments after Josh Traylor-Hall headed into his own goal from a corner on 88 minutes but Penycae, who are yet to win in the league, did not really look capable of getting back on level terms.
More results
ARDAL LEAGUE NORTH EAST
While Radnor Valley were recording a victory in the Ardal League North East , there were defeats on the road for Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.
Builth would have been targeting three points from their trip to Dolgellau but The Bulls were poor on the day and Dolgellau wanted it more easing to a deserved 4-0 win. It might have been different had Builth converted two early chances with Jamie Evans hitting the bar and Tommy Rowlands firing over from one on one situations in the opening minutes. But it was Dolgellau who took the lead with Gerwyn Williams heading in a Paul Lewis cross at the far post. Williams scored again with a breakaway goal and Builth were left with a mountain to climb when Williams completed his hat-trick with a deflected free-kick in first half stoppage time. Dolgellau were happy to defend in the second half which they did comfortably and Ieuan Brooks completed their win with a late fourth goal.
Llandrindod visited Cefn Albion who were one of the title favourites before the season kicked off and despite a hard working performance, the Spa were beaten 3-1. Tyler Wilkinson gave Cefn an early lead but Llandrindod responded immediately with Ashley Jones, making his first start of the term following an injury lay-off , equalising from Kieran McCarley’s set piece. Dion Gibbins regained the lead for the hosts just before the half hour and Llandrindod did well to hang in the game until Josh Astley sealed their fate with Cefn’s third on 71 minutes.
Bow Street dropped their first points of the season in a 3-3 draw against Llanuwchllyn who are also unbeaten. Ben Davies (2) and John James netted for Bow Street with Michael Pritchard, Gwydion Ifan and Meilir Williams scoring for the visitors who had Pritchard sent off.
Llansantffraid Village are the new league leaders and made pundits sit up and take note after walloping Llangollen Town 8-0 on Friday night. The Saints were four up in thirteen minutes through Jack Harris (2), Khyam Wyton and Jamie Clewlow. Chris Aitken made it five by half-time and Oscar Herd and an own goal added to the tally before player-manager, Marc Griffiths came off the bench to complete the rout.
Penrhyncoch made a timely return to winning ways with Geoff Kellaway scoring both goals in a 2-0 home success over Llanfair United who were without influential player-manager, Karl Seliaerts.
Elsewhere Welshpool Town picked up their first point in a creditable 1-1 draw at Rhos Aelwyd where Ethan Kinsey gave them the lead in first half stoppage time before Aled Parry equalised on the hour.
ARDAL LEAGUE SOUTH EAST
Hay St Mary’s endured another tough day in the Ardal League South East as they fell to a 4-0 defeat at Tredegar Town. Manager, Gareth Jenkins knew it would be difficult as he was without Steve Goodwin, Jake Cleeves and Rob Sneddon as well as long term absentees, Brendan Hackett and Jack Cripps.
It was a very competitive first half with Owain Thomas giving Tredegar the lead although Matty Tong had strong penalty appeals rejected at the other end. Hay were very much in the game and started the second half brightly but the home side broke away to add a second on 57 minutes which went down as a Tom James own goal. That was the signal for Tredegar to go on and dominate and they scored further goals through Tomas Lynch and Ian Pettit.
Hay slip to the bottom of the table as a result of Blaenavon Blues winning 2-0 at Treowen Stars while at the top, Trethomas Bluebirds are five points clear with a game in hand. Trethomas, who are yet to drop a point, beat Lliswerry 6-0 on Saturday with Levi Rees leading the way with a hat-trick.
EMRYS MORGAN CUP
Builth Wells Reserves, Rhayader Town and Talgarth Town were the only local teams to progress to the third round of the prestigious Emrys Morgan Cup at the weekend.
Talgarth Town led the way with a convincing 4-0 home success over Llanon with goals from Harry Sharman (2), Dan Scaife and Steven Potter. (see match report on back page).
Builth Wells Reserves won for the first time this season beating Bont, from the Aberystwyth & District League, 3-0 on The Lant Field. Blake Evans gave The Bulls an interval lead and Bont had coach, Kevin Button red carded in first half stoppage time. Callum Jones doubled Builth’s advantage midway through the second half before substitute, Dan Hilliard sealed their win.
Rhayader Town are through without kicking a ball as scheduled opponents, St Dogmaels were unable to raise a team for their trip to Mid Wales while the all local tie between Knighton Town and Penybont United was postponed due a lack of match officials and will now be played tonight (Wednesday).
Presteigne St Andrews bowed out 4-1 against Bargod Rangers – a scoreline which possibly flattered the visitors as Presteigne, who gave a debut to new signing, Tal Burton, had and missed chances in the second half. Goals from Daniel Evans on seven and thirty-four minutes, the first from the penalty spot, put Bargod in the ascendancy but Luke Boundford pulled one back with the tie’s second penalty when he was brought down. That gave Presteigne a lift for the second half and they had opportunities to level with Boundford hitting a post while other chances went begging before two late goals from substitute, Josh Harris sealed Bargod’s progress.
Newcastle and St Harmon bowed out to Tier Four opposition with Newcastle second best as they went down 3-1 at home against local rivals, Bishops Castle. The visitors raced into a two goal lead through Martyn Ziemann and Toby Mills before Craig Morris headed one back from a Tom Price corner. Matty Jones almost got on the end of a Carl Price cross to equalise but Ziemann put the tie to bed with his second after the break to earn Castle their first win of the season.
St Harmon suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat at Llanilar where Rob Preiser and Sion Edwards each scored twice for the hosts. Harvey Matthews, Ryan Edwards, Tom Haynes and Steff Huxtable also chipped in while St Harmon’s misery was complete when Liam McKay was shown a second yellow card after the final whistle.
Brecon FC also ended their tie with ten men with James Williams sent off late on as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle Emlyn who went ahead through Osian Thomas. Frazer McAnally, who completed a transfer from Hay St Marys in the week, levelled a minute before half-time but Llywelyn James scored twice after the break before Thomas also completed a brace.
Llanidloes Town Reserves were beaten 3-1 at home by Four Crosses with Rhys Evans netting for The Daffs while Billy Clarke (2) and Robert Weir saw Crosses through.
Kerry came out on top in the tie of the round with an emphatic 5-1 verdict over Penparcau. Richard Davies and Barry Bellis struck for Kerry before Harley Lawton pulled a goal back. Daryl McWatt converted a penalty before half-time and two late goals from substitute, Luke Mumford sealed it for The Lambs. Both sides ended with ten men with Kerry’s Mark Hughes and Anthony Evans of Penparcau seeing red.
And in the other big tie, Montgomery edged out Machynlleth 4-3 with Tom Evans starring with all four goals.
Holders, Barmouth made an early exit beaten 2-0 at Llanfyllin Town who scored through Rhys Jones and Sam Norwood but last season’s beaten finalists, Tregaron are through with Ryan Davies scoring twice in their 3-2 win against Llanboidy.
CYMRU LEAGUES
It was a disappointing weekend for the Mid Wales teams in the JD Cymru North with Caersws, Guilsfield and Llanidloes Town all failing to muster a point between them.
Caersws lost at home for the first time, beaten 3-2 by Bangor 1876 and will be disappointed as Craig Harris had given them a two goal lead before Liam Morris (2) and Craig McGonnigle (pen) hit back for Bangor.
Guilsfield were beaten 3-0 at Mold Alexandra while Llanidloes Town are rock bottom after suffering a crushing 4-1 defeat at basement rivals, Gresford Athletic on Friday night. Former Knighton Town and Radnor Valley midfielder, Dewi Allen gained a late consolation for The Daffs after Dominic Deacon (2), Haci Ozlu and Charlie Edge had put Gresford out of sight.
Newtown are really up and running in the JD Welsh Premier after a slow start and made it four wins in a row with a 4-2 verdict at Colwyn Bay thanks to Louis Robles (2), Zeli Ismael and Jason Oswell.
Aberystwyth Town remain rooted to the bottom following a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Penybont with Jack Thorn gaining their late consolation. The New Saints maintain top spot with summer signing Brad Young scoring twice in a 5-1 victory at Cardiff Met while Barry Town United provided the shock of the week-end with Ollie Hulbert (2) and Kayne McLaggon giving them a 3-1 win over Bala Town.