Radnor Valley fell to a 3-1 defeat at a rain-drenched Bypass as Llanuwchllyn moved four points clear at the top of the Ardal League North East. Despite a battling performance from the Goats, it was the unbeaten league leaders who deservedly took the spoils in front of a decent crowd who had braved the weather.

Llanuwchllyn made a quick start and took the lead after three minutes when Otto Jones made a good save to deny Meilir Williams but Tom Evans netted the rebound. Radnor were penned in their own half but a rare excursion up the other end saw them equalise on 29 minutes when Jack Clarke was brought down and equalised from the penalty spot. That was the lift they needed and Clarke almost got his head to a teasing cross from Isaac Price who was freed down the right by Lewis Morris.

Having got themselves back in the game, Radnor then conceded at the start of the second half although there was little they could do to stop Steff Dolben’s cracking strike from the corner of the penalty area. The Goats tried to get back on terms again and had their moments but when Meirion Pughe drilled home a low free-kick for Llanuwchllyn with 12 minutes remaining it was game over and the visitors would have extended their lead but for a goal line clearance from Tim Office and a fine double save from keeper, Jones.

Rhayader Town found the gulf between Tier Four and Tier Three to big to overcome as they bowed out of the JD Welsh Cup. The Red Kites lost 4-1 at home against Cefn Cribwr in the first round proper. The Ardal League South West side scored twice in each half with Danny Woolfenden and Jenson Livick netting in the first half. Two goals in four minutes just after the hour mark from Jonah Lewis and Jack Teisar clinched it for Cefn although Rhayader never gave up and substitute, Ryan PK Jones grabbed a consolation for the hosts.

The other remaining teams from the MMP Central Wales Leagues are also out of the Welsh Cup with Berriew beaten 3-0 at home by Trearddur Bay while Forden United lost 4-0 at Holyhead Hotspur. Welshpool Town, who had got through two qualifying rounds on penalties, themselves lost in a shoot-out at Broughton United where Ricky Litchfield grabbed their equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Caersws eased into the second round with Callum Francis-Jones making the most of a rare start with a second half hat-trick in a 6-1 win against Hawarden Rangers. Ashley Harries had handed the Bluebirds a lead which was cancelled out by Thomas Bridges by half-time. But Caersws went on to dominate the second half with Francis-Jones completing his hat-trick in 14 minutes before former Builth Wells man, Tommy Rowlands and Callum Page also got on the score sheet.

Penrhyncoch beat Sychdyn United 2-0 thanks to a first half penalty from Daniel Owen and a late second goal from Ifan Burrell while Bow Street are also through to represent Mid Wales. Two late goals from substitutes, Taylor Watts and Josh Crowl secured a 4-2 victory over league rivals, Cefn Albion who had led through Torne Samuels. Steff Davies and Harvey Matthews turned it around before half-time but Tom Broadhurst levelled for Albion.

Llanfair United found themselves trailing 2-0 at home against Kinmel Bay and although Zac Warren reduced the deficit with his first goal for the club, they were unable to claw their way back into the tie.

Talgarth Town maintained their unbeaten start to the season by progressing to the 3rd Round of the Emrys Morgan Cup. But the Royals, who were not at their best, needed penalties to see off the challenge of a plucky St Harmon. Talgarth led at half-time courtsesy of Frazer McAnally’s first goal of the season and an own gal from St Harmon’s Gregg Lloyd saw them further ahead early in the second half. St Harmon staged a late rally with goals in the last 15 minutes from Carwyn Hughes and Dan Powell forcing the penalty shoot out which Talgarth edged 5-4.

Builth Wells Reserves saw their tie at Felindre postponed due to standing water on the pitch while the Penybont United v Knighton Town Reserves game was also off due to the weather. A number of other ties were either postponed or abandoned due to the rain while Hay St Marys disappointingly conceded their tie at Carno.

MMP Central Wales League (South) leaders, Lampeter Town eased through 5-0 against Newcastle Emlyn with goals from Hari Jones (2), Rhys Davies, Rhodri Morgan and Regan Jones while Ffostrasol were also 5-0 winners at Crickhowell thanks to Keane Moore (2), Lewis Jones, Tomos Rogers and Steff Evans.

Caersws Development, now unbeaten at home for twelve months, beat Kerry Reserves 5-0 in midweek with goals from Tom Evans, Jared Marks, Danny Griffiths, Tyler Ratcliff and Ryan Morris. Owain Richards, Tom Ellis and Wil Thomas all scored twice as Waterloo Rovers triumphed 6-0 at Llanfyllin Town.

Llanilar recorded the biggest win of the second round beating Padarn United 14-2 with Osian Simpson-Jones scoring five while Josh Cann bagged a hat-trick. Calum Humphreys netted four times as Machynlleth won 10-0 at Llanrhaeadr Reserves and Josh Taylor was another four-goal man as Tregaron went through 8-0 at Aberaeron.

Llandrindod Wells Reserves moved into the top half of the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Llanidloes Town Reserves on Friday night. In the one league game played over the weekend, Reuben Baker and Ryan Sims gave the Spa Men an early two-goal lead. Sims set Reuben Baker up for the opener before scoring himself from a low cross from Ruben Edwards.

Gavin Rowlands extended the advantage direct from a corner four minutes into the second half and an own goal from Rowan Bavistock, who turned a Tom Evans cross into his own net, completed Llandrindod’s second league win of the term. Riley Ponting was Llandrindod’s man of the match with a fine display on his debut following a transfer from Builth Wells.

Llanidloes Town’s new manager, Dafydd Carruthers knows he has a big job on his hands after The Daffs slipped to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of local rivals, Caersws Development in the MMP Central Wales League (South). Shayne Kelly and Jared Marks (pen) netted for The Bluebirds before new signing, Richie Evans reduced the deficit minutes before half-time. Kaiden Mahon regained Caersws’ two-goal lead on the hour and Will Denham’s late goal for Llanidloes could not prevent them going down to a seventh league defeat from eight starts.

In the MMP Central Wales League (North), Four Crosses, who have been boosted by the signings of Ben and Isaac Dawson from Brickfield Rangers, ran out 5-2 winners over Montgomery Town. Isaac Dawson and Ben Simms each scored twice with Lewis Birch also on target while Charlie Kinsey and Robbie Hartshorn replied for Montgomery.

In the day’s other game, Dolgellau Reserves won 4-0 at Trewern United with Jamie Jones giving them an interval lead before Rhys Taylor-Clarke weighed in with a second half hat-trick.

Last season’s finalists, Radnor Valley and Builth Wells, have both received byes in the first round of this season’s competition. There are just three first round ties with Knighton Town hosting Llanidloes Town, Rhayader Town at home against Presteigne St Andrews while Mid Wales League (South) sides, St Harmon and Hay S Marys clash.

The Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup 1st Round draw is: Knighton Town v Llanidloes Town, Rhayader Town v Presteigne, St Harmon v Hay St Marys, Byes: Brecon FC, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Penybont United and Radnor Valley.

The draw for the first round of the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup was also made as follows: Hay St Marys v Penybont United, Llanidloes Town Res v Rhayader Development, Presteigne St Andrews v Builth Wells Res, St Harmon v Knighton Town Res, Byes: Brecon FC, Hay Development, Llandrindod Wells Res, Talgarth Town

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (7.30): Rhayader Town Development v Hay St Marys

Ardal Northern League Cup (2.30): Kerry v Knighton Town, Llandrindod Wells v Corwen, Radnor Valley v Llanuwchllyn, Rhos Aelwyd v Builth Wells

Ardal League South East (2.30): Caldicot Town v Brecon Corries

MMP Central Wales League (South) (2.30): Rhayader Town v Caersws Development

Central Wales Cup Round 2 (2.30): Barmouth v Presteigne St Andrews, Llechryd v Brecon FC

Emrys Morgan Cup Round 2 (2.30): Felindre v Builth Wells Reserves, Penybont United v Knighton Town Res

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (2.30): Llanidloes Town Res v Talgarth Town

Central Wales Cup Round 2 (2.30): Llandrindod Wells v Waterloo Rovers

FAW National Reserve League South East (2.00): Brecon Corries Youth v Lliswerry Under 21’s

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (7.30): Rhayader Town Development v Brecon FC