FAW TROPHY/SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Knighton Town are through to the 4th Round of The FAW Trophy Competition after an excellent 3-1 home win against Spar Mid Wales League Division One rivals, Llanrhaeadr. Sam Williams had The Robins ahead inside the opening two minutes after Matthew Venables knocked down a Corin Jones cross. Mark Jones continued his recent form in front of goal by volleying a second but Khyam Wyton pulled one back for Llanrheadr who had Tom Bailey sent off just before half-time following a challenge on Venables. Knighton were comfortable second half the only down side a second yellow card for Corin Jones which meant it was ten versus ten. And Knighton sealed their passage with a free-kick from Mark Jones while Lee Sutton, Jamie Blythe and Venables could also have added to the tally.

It was the end of the road for Radnor Valley who bowed out 2-0 at home to Berriew. The wind played a huge factor in the tie and it was the visitors who snatched the lead through Matt Mumford just before half-time. Radnor had more purpose to their game in the second half against the wind and Liam Jones shaved a post but it was not to be and Karl Seliaerts sealed the tie with a second for Berriew on 78 minutes following a corner.

Other Spar teams in the draw for the last thirty-two are Llanidloes Town and Llanfair United. Llanidloes beat Llansantffraid Village 4-1 thanks to George Clarke (2), Rhys Evans and Richie Evans while Llanfair came from a goal down to beat Bow Street 2-1 at home. Rhun Garner had given Bow Street the lead on his debut but Llanfair replied through Mark Griffiths and Paul Griffiths.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Builth Wells extended their lead at the top of the Spar Mid Wales League second division with a 4-1 home success over Penybont. Richie Powell opened the scoring with a cross cum shot but Sion Hermon headed Penybont level before half-time. Builth responded to some harsh half-time words from Chris Jones, who started up front but played the second half in goal following an injury to Jamie Evans and Powell regained the lead with a header. Powell then provided the cross which led to an own goal before Josh Price rounded the ‘keeper to complete the win.

Presteigne remain second but dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Brecon Northcote on Friday night. Topscorer, Joel Evans put Northcote ahead but Presteigne turned things around with goals from Euan Rhodes and Matt Strangwood. Northcote deservedly grabbed a share of the spoils with Craig Evans netting their second with fifteen minutes to go.

Newbridge are up to fourth in the table following a 3-1 victory at Talgarth Town. Two goals from Aeron Powell and one from Ollie Woods gave The Villagers the spoils to avenge a 3-0 home defeat when the sides met earlier in the season. It was Talgarth who took the lead on Saturday with Jordan Harvey finding Harry Sharman who held off a defender before slotting home. Talgarth had a chance to go further ahead before Newbridge got a foot hold in the game and levelled on the half hour. Jake Bufton won a free-kick just outside the box and Woods smashed it into the top corner. Moments later Powell scored from the penalty spot after being brought down . Newbridge dominated the second half with Powell extending the lead and also hitting the post with a further effort.

Hay St Marys hit back from two down to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at Montgomery Town.

Stuart Buckley-Robbins and Lee Jones put Montgomery in a strong position but Tom Landon pulled one back for The Saints before half-time after Matty Tong’s initial shot was blocked. Hay held the upper hand in the second half with Darren Horrigan setting Tong up for an equaliser while the returning Jack Biggs almost won it for The Saints with his long range effort going inches wide.

Earlier in the week, Hay had suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Aberystwyth University who scored twice in stoppage time to snatch victory. Tom Landon’s goal had seemingly put The Saints on the road to a welcome win and they could have gone further ahead but Hugo Laing and Owen Ap Gareth struck at the death to give the students the spoils.

¦ In Division One, Llandrindod failed in their bid to climb the table falling to a 2-1 defeat at Tywyn Bryncrug with Kieran McCarley netting the Spa goal.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Rhayader Town leapfroggd Llanidloes Town Reserves to go back top of the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a 4-2 home victory over Hay St Marys Reserves on Friday night. The Red Kites now lead the table on goal difference from Llanidloes with the two set to meet on Saturday. Jamie Evans was Rhayader’s shooting star with a hat-trick with Keegan Bradley also netting while in difficult conditions, Ricky Lynes score twice to keep Hay in with a shout.

In the week-ends other game, Builth Wells Reserves returned to winning ways in the league with a 3-1 verdict at Llandrindod Wells Reserves.Martin Rowan had given Llandrindod the lead but Builth hit back through Scott Davies, Dave Thomas and a superb free-kick from Shane Claridge.

ASPIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Knighton Town were the first team through to the semi-finals of this season’s Aspidistra Radnorshire following a thrilling 4-3 victory over Rhayader Town on Tuesday night. Knighton three times took the lead only to be pegged back by a resilient Rhayader but Mark Jones won it for The Robins with a late penalty finally separating the sides. Jones had given Knighton an early lead which was cancelled out by Keegan Bradley.

Danny Ives twice put Knighton ahead again in the second time but each time Rhayader hit back through Michael Fowlie (pen) and Jamie Evans, with a header only to see Jones snatch victory for the home side with his late spot-kick

Builth Wells join Knighton in the last four after scheduled opponents, St Harmon conceded their tie while also through are Radnor Valley and Newbridge.

Radnor eased to a 6-0 home win against Brecon Northcote with three goals in each half. Geraint Lloyd, Callum Matthews and Steve Morgan were on target in the first period to all but book Radnor’s semi-final spot and Matthews, Matt Croose and Elliot Morris netted after the break.

Newbridge needed a late strike from OllieWoods to see off Spar Two rivals, Presteigne 1-0 at home. Presteigne felt they had their chances but Woods struck in the 88th minute, spotting the ‘keeper off his line to score with a 35 yard lob.

The semi-final draw for the Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup is Builth Wells v Radnor Valley and Newbridge v Knighton Town with ties to be played on Sunday February 11.