SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Llandrindod Wells made it back to back wins in the Spar Mid Wales league first division with a comfortable 3-0 success at bottom-of-the-table Machynlleth.

On a difficult playing surface, an own goal gave the Spa men an early lead and Robbie Nicholls and Kieran McCarley added to the tally before half-time. There were no second half goals although Llandrindod had several more chances while Machynlleth never really threatened.

Knighton Town slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Berriew who have reeled off three straight league wins since turning their direction to youth. Josh Morgan scored in the first half which what was a scrappy effort from Knighton’s point of view. Connor Bird should have levelled before half-time but fired wide from the penalty spot after Chris Roff was taken out. Knighton dominated possession second half but the ball just would not sit for them in front of goal while Berriew also defended well.

Radnor Valley also suffered an odd goal defeat when they went down 2-1 at home against high flying Llanrhaeadr. The visitors were on the front foot from the start and Iwan Matthews gave them an early lead. It was all Llanrhaeadr for the opening half hour but Radnor levelled with Oliver Jones netting from 25 yards on the counter attack. That gave Radnor belief and there were chances at each end before Matthews won it for the Tanat Valley side, scrambling home their winner in the closing minutes.

As a result, Llanrhaeadr close the gap on Welshpool Town who were held to a 1-1 draw at Carno. The leaders needed a late equaliser from Adam Davies after Andy Evans had given Carno the lead. Llanrhaeadr are now four points behind Welshpool with the matter of five games in hand and are looking potential Champions.

Llanidloes Town stay in third spot after a 2-0 win at Churchstoke with a goal in either half from Joe Evans and Rhys Evans while Bow Street. with games in hand on the teams above them, were the day’s topscorers thumping Kerry 8-1 at home. Former Penrhyncoch midfielder, Mark Gornall led the way with a hat-trick and there were two each for Llion Jenkins and Ifan Burrell with Tom Evans completing the spree. Matt Mumford was Kerry’s lone marksman.

Goals from Karl Seliaerts and Josh Astley earned Llanfair United a hard fought 2-1 win at Tywyn Bryncrug where both sides had a player sent off while Aberaeron beat Borth United 2-0 with first half goals from Mattie Davies and Chris Wilkins.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Builth Wells went back to the top of the Spar Mid Wales League second division and a step closer to promotion with a 7-0 win at Presteigne.

It was a happy return for manager, Chris Jones to his former stamping ground as Builth notched their biggest win of the season with Richie Powell grabbing a hat-trick.. Adie Jones gave them a 2nd minute lead with a deflected strike and Josh Price soon added a second after Richie Powel had squared the ball. Powell headed number three from a corner and Jones added his second to end the game as a contest before half-time. Richie Powell twice went through one on one in the second half to complete his treble before Jamie McIlroy completed the scoring for a rampant Builth.

Hay St Marys maintained their good form with two first half goals from Jack Biggs securing a 2-0 victory at Newbrdge. Lyndon Jones went close with a free-kick for Newbridge but it was Biggs who broke the deadlock after Tom Landon and Matty Tong combined.Tong and the impressive Callum Maddy then set Biggs up for his second before half-time. It was a different story in the second half with Newbridge seeing a lot more of the ball after changing things around but apart from Ollie Woods hitting a post, they never really threatened to get back in the game against a Saints defence well marshalled by Chris Preece.

In-form Brecon Northcote remain three points behind Hay with three games in hand after extending their unbeaten run to eight with a 5-1 home victory over Dolgellau. Northcote, who are really coming to terms with life in a higher league following their promotion in the summer, made a blistering start and were three up in twelve minutes through Joel Evans, Craig Evans and Jack Evans. Joel Evans capitalised on a defensive error to make it four on the half hour and Craig Evans added a fifth in the second half before Joe Ephraim pulled one back for Dolgellau who played the entire game with ten men.

Talgarth Town’s trip to Montgomery Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch while elsewhere, Abermule made it three league wins in a row with Dan Green netting the all important goal in a 1-0 home success over Aberystwyth University.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Brecon Northcote Reserves notched only their third win of the season in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a thrilling 5-4 verdict at Knighton Town Reserves.

Rory Myles starred with a hat-trick and Curtis Williams scored twice for Northcote who led 4-0 at one stage but had to stave off a fightback from Knighton who replied through Scott Davies (2), Jordan Griffiths and Barry Allen.

Rhayader Town maintained their one hundred per cent record with an 8-0 success at Hay St Marys Reserves. Jordan McFadden completed a hat-trick for The Red Kites with Jamie Evans netting twice while Callum McKenzie, Aaron Bates (pen) and Taylor Wozencraft completed the tally.

Rhayader remain three points behind Llanidloes Town reserves with three games in hand after The Daffs edged a 1-0 victory against Presteigne Reserves. A 20 yard wonder strike from Rhys Evans was all that separared the sides.

Newcastle are hot on the heels of the top two after a 5-0 win against bottom of the table, Felindre extended their unbeaten league run to twelve. The Shropshire men have not lost in the league since the opening day of the season and they scored all the goals in the second half on Saturday after Felindre competed well during the first period. Topscorer, Carl Price led the way with a hat-trick and player-manager, Craig Morris and Jimmy Thomas were also on target for Newcastle.

ASPIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Radnor Valley and Knighton Town will meet in this season’s Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup Final at Presteigne on Easter Sunday. Radnor made history by reaching their first ever County Cup Final with a 2-1 victory at Builth Wells on Sunday. Lewis Morris fired Radnor ahead when a free-kick was only parried but Builth levelled just before half-time when Jack Hughes flicked on a corner for Richie Powell to head in from close range. Steve Morgan headed what turned out to be the winner for Radnor from a Joey Price cross but Builth will be pleased with their performance and Dave Thomas might have sent the tie to extra-time but fired straight at the ‘keeper.