SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Knighton Town are the first team through to the quarter finals of this season’s Spar Mid Wales League Cup following Saturday’s 2-0 second round victory at Tywyn Bryncrug. The Robins, without a host of key players, progressed thanks to second half goals from Sam Williams and Gareth Mansell. Indeed Knighton travelled with a bare eleven players and player-manager, Adam Worton was delighted with the performance saying “Every player was a credit to the club and all were up for the battle from the off”.

Williams and Mansell both went close in the first half and it was Williams who broke the deadlock finishing well after rounding the ‘keeper. Mansell secured the win from the penalty spot after Chris Roff was taken out just as he was about to pull the trigger in the box.

In Spar Mid Wales League Division One, Steve Morgan bagged a hat-trick as Radnor Valley extended their unbeaten league run to nine games with a comfortable 5-0 home success against Borth United. Radnor pretty much dominated throughout and Morgan fired wide and Matt Croose headed over before early pressure paid off with Morgan netting from close range. Joey Price soon added a second cutting inside a defender to blast home and it was three by the break with Morgan scoring his second following a surging run from Elliot Morris. Ieuan Price netted from 20 yards early in the second half and further chances went begging before Morgan completed his treble in stoppage time after the Borth ‘keeper could only parry an effort from Joey Price.

Llandrindod Wells travelled to Welshpool Town with a pathced up side and lost 5-0 as the hosts opened up an eight point gap at the top of the table. Adam Davies bagged a hat-trick for Welshpool whose other goalscorers were Wil Tomas and Ian Probert. Spa manager, Pete Williams felt Llandrindod were unfortunate in conceding two first half goals. There was a hint of handball in the lead up to the first and the second was a penalty when Michael Watkins got tangled with an opposition player. Williams said: “We caused them problems in the first half and although 5-0 flattered them, Welshpool are a very good side.”

Llanidloes Town, who host Radnor in the League Cup this week-end, were held to a 1-1 draw at Berriew on Friday night. Richie Evans set Josh Hartrick up for The Daffs’ opener – his first goal since a move from Caersws. Matt Mumford levelled before half-time and although Llanidloes had the better of the second half, missed chances and good defending by Berriew meant in ended all square.

Carno maintained their push up the table with an emphatic 6-1 win at Mchynlleth. Scott Williams and Peter Rees each netted twice with Andy Evans and Jac Petrie, against his former club, completing the six hit while Callum Page replied for Machynlleth.

Llanfair United however slipped off the pace beaten 2-1 at Bow Street who themselves avenged a 2-1 defeat at Llandair the previous week with goals from Rhun Garner and Steff Richards. Elsewhere Churchstoke and Aberaeron shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Andrew Green levelling for Churchstoke in the final minute. Tony Meredith bagged the other Churchstoke goal with Chris Wilkins and Elwyn Edwards on target for Aberaeron.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Joint player-manager, Daryl Wood scored twice as Builth Wells made it three wins from their last four to go third in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a 6-3 home win over Brecon Northcote Reserves. Steve Jarvis also netted twice while Bradley Rollinson and Cori Davies were also on target for Builth in an action packed second half on the Lant Field. Joel Evans scored twice and Guy Williams also netted for Northcote who had led 1-0 at half-time.

In Saturday’s only other league game, Llandrindod Wells Reserves made it back to back wins for the first time this season with a 5-0 home success over Felindre. Having defeated second placed Llanidloes Town Reserves the previous week, the Spa men swept to another three points with goals from Darren Murphy (2), Martin Rowan, Scott Oxford and Matty Goldsmith.

¦ More Football on Page 23SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE

DIVISION 2

Builth Wells suffered their first defeat of the season as they crashed out of the Spar Mid Wales League (ER Jenkins) Division 2 Cup with a 4-1 quarter final defeat at Montgomery Town. Player-manager, Chris Jones missed the trip but said by all accounts they are a much changed side. Builth did take the lead with Jamie McIlroy heading in from a Johnny Samuel cross. Montgomery levelled five minutes later and scored twice just before half-time before scoring the only second half goal. The Montgomery marksmen were Tom Evans (2), Rob Hartshorn and Jack Williams.

Hay St Marys are through to the last four with scheduled opponents, Dolgellau unable to raise a side for the trip to Forest Road. This will be worrying for league officials as Dolgellau, the previous week, conceded their Central Wales Cup tie at Builth Wells.

Newbridge bowed out beaten 2-0 at Llansantffraid Village to goals from Wayne Austin and Mattie Davies while the Abermule v Aberystwyth University tie will have to be rescheduled as Abermule called off on Saturday morning due to having no changing facilities available.

EMRYS MORGAN CUP

Rhayader Town are through to the 4th Round of the prestigious Emrys Morgan Cup following a thrilling 5-4 home win against Guilsfield Reserves. In a tie which ebbed and flowed, extra-time strikes from Mattie Lewis and Jamie Evans saw The Red Kites through to the last sixteen. Evans had given Rhayader an interval lead but Guilsfield levelled and then twice went ahead in the second half. Cameron Mills and Marc Wozencraft hit back to force the extra half-hour when Lewis edged Rhayader in front with a 40 yard lob. Evans bagged his second of the tie from 20 yards meaning a last minute goal for Guilsfield made no difference.

Llanidloes Town Reserves saw their Cup hopes ended as they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Newtown Wanderers in a tie played on Newtown’s 3G pitch. There was little to choose between the tams with Llanidloes finding themselves two down before Josh Matthews reduced the deficit.

Presteigne’s third round tie at Ffrostrasol was postponed and they will try again this week-end.

There were excellent results for Mid Wales (South) teams in Saturday’s delayed second round ties. Knighton Town Reserves staged a superb comeback to win 3-2 at Penrhyncoch Reserves with goals from Billy Hyett (2) and Scott Davies after trailing 2-0 at one stage.

Newcastle were also 3-2 winners at Caersws Reserves with goals from Carl Price (2) and Matthew Jones as the Shropshire men too had to come from behind. Newcastle will now host Bont in Round 3 while Knighton are at home against Newcastle Emlyn.