SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Radnor Valley showed no signs of a three-week lay off as they chalked up a 5-1 home success over Kerry in the Spar Mid Wales League first division.

Jack Williams gave Radnor an early lead when he burst through to hit a powerful shot which the ‘keeper got his hand to but could not keep out. Williams then turned provider for Radnor’s next two goals either side of half-time. On 41 minutes, Williams squared for Elliot Morris to prod home and immediately after half-time, crossed for Morris to head his second and Radnor’s third. Williams added a fourth after Craig Pigott was denied following a surging run and Chris Price completed the nap hand for Radnor while Ben Davies netted Kerry’s consolation.

There were defeats on Saturday for Knighton Town and Llandrindod Wells with Knighton losing 2-1 at Llanfair United for the second week in a row. Knighton were looking to avenge the previous week’s Central Wales Cup defeat but it was the same story with the home side going two up before The Robins pulled one back. Knighton fell behind midway through the first half when Andrew Hughes prodded home from close range after Knighton failed to deal with a high ball in the box. An own goal from Matt Venables saw Llanfair go two up but both Connor Bird and Declan Beddoes had chances for The Robins. The second half saw Knighton well on top and when Llanfair had Hughes sent off they cashed in. Bird latched on to a Beddoes through ball to pull one back and Knighton threw everything at the home side but again could not come up with an equaliser with the home ‘keeper making several fine saves.

Llandrindod were hoping for a league double away at Churchstoke, one of the four sides below them in the league table, but the Spa men went down 3-1 with Joe Haycock’s second goal sealing victory for Churchstoke in the final minutes. Kieran Mulloch was their other marksman. Llandrindod manager, Pete Williams stepped down last week-end. The club have confirmed Gareth Jones will take over as player-manager for the remainder of the season.

Leaders, Welshpool Town were held 2-2 at Llanidloes Town who twice went ahead. Llanidloes completed the signing of Peter Rees from Carno in midweek and the striker marked his debut by giving The Daffs the lead from a good run and cross by Ryan Biggs.

But Welshpool levelled straight away when Llanidloes were caught napping and a quick free-kick resulted in Adam Davies equalising. Biggs restored the Llanidloes lead in the second half with a fine 25 yard volley but Davies grabbed his second for Welshpool deep into stoppage time.

Second placed Llanrhaeadr slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Aberaeron who led 2-0 at half-time. Mattie Davies continued his rich vein of form in front of goal with another brace and Mathew Clarke was also on target while Khyam Wyton and player-manager, Marc Griffiths netted for Llanrhaeadr.

Berriew’s four match winning run came to an end as they went down 3-2 at home against Tywyn Bryncrug who proves last week’s victory over leaders, Welshpool was not a flash in the pan. Aston Heath netted twice for the Gwynedd side with Mark Edmondson also on target with Josh Morgan and Rhys Stephens scoring for Berriew.

Carno eased to a 5-1 home verdict over Borth United never looking back after opening the scoring inside the first minute. Luke Evans netted twice with Geraint Jones, Scott Williams and Andy Evans completing the nap hand while Ryan Edwards relied for a depleted Borth.

Elsewhere Bow Street ran out 3-0 winners at Machynlleth courtesy of Mark Gornal (pen), Callum Ferreira and Tom Williams.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Matty Tong snatched an injury-time winner as Hay St Marys staged another spirited fightback to triumph 3-2 at Abermule and claim third spot in the table. The Saints again showed their character after trailing 2-0 very early in the second half with Tommy Jones and Will Denham having scored for the hosts. Darren Horrighan started the comeback and captain, Chris Preece headed Hay level from a Jamie Howard free-kick four minutes from time . And Hay were not finished as in stoppage time Tong netted following a super run and cross from Tom Landon.

Brecon Northcote maintained their impressive form with a solid 2-0 win at Montgomery Town as they, like Hay, chase a third place finish. Joel Evans broke the deadlock with his 18th league goal of the term after being set up by Jack Evans on 35 minutes. That was how it remained until late in the game when Llyr Davies sealed the points for Northcote with a second goal.

Leaders, Builth Wells marched on towards Division One with a comfortable 6-0 home win against Aberystwyth University, who travelled with a bare eleven. Just one goal separated the teams at half-time with Adie Jones giving Builth an early lead. Lee James added a second from a Joel Metcalf corner ten minutes into the second half and Harry Bastable and Richie Powell netted from close range. Johnny Samuel popped up with a goal of the season contender from 25 yards before Jack Hammond completed the six hit following a goalmouth scramble.

Builth kept yet another clean sheet and have conceded just six goals in the league.

Newbridge went one better than Builth and were 7-0 winners away at Penybont as they claimed their first three point haul since October with Ollie Woods bagging a second half hat-trick. Ryan Lawrence saw an early effort cleared off the line before Lyndon Jones opened the scoring when his 30 yard free-kick sailed through a crowd of players.

Lawrence got a second when his cross dropped in at the far post and Woods then took centre stage after the break. First he rounded the ‘keeper, he then headed home a Jake Bufton cross and completed his treble from the penalty spot when Aeron Powell was brought down. Powell then got in on the act before Bufton completed the scoring against his former club.

Llansantffraid Village remain two points behind Builth at the top of Division two following a narrow 3-2 win at Dolgellau. Nathan Prodger bagged a hat-trick for Llansantffraid, who have played two more games than Builth, with Jon Sutton and Dominic Thomas netting for Dolgellau.

Presteigne had not played for a month and fell to a 3-0 defeat at Dyffryn Banw. Richard Williams, Jamie Huxley and Dyfrig Jones netted for Banw with Presteigne yet to record a win since the turn of the year.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Rhayader Town took a giant stride towards the Watson Financial Mid Wales (South) League crown with a 5-2 victory over title rivals, Llanidloes Town Reserves. The Red Kites all but netted the points in the opening 20 minutes when they raced into a five goal lead through Gareth Hughes (2), Taylor Wozencraft, Ryan Rowlands and an own goal. Llanidloes rallied late in the second half reducing the deficit through Greg Brown and Nicky Bray but there was never any way back from that early deficit.

Builth Wells Reserves are enjoying a successful season and Daryl Wood’s side notched a 4-2 success at Knighton Town Reserves with Dave Thomas netting twice. Alex James and Rhodri Jones were also on target with Scott Davies and Jack Jones replying for The Robins.

Knighton had themselves collected three points earlier in the week I a 4-1 victory over local rivals, Felindre. Scott Davies netted twice with Billy Hyett and Joe Barrett also chipping in while Elian Owen gained a consolation for Felindre against his former club.

Brecon Northcote Reserves had to come from behind to register only their fourth league win of the season as they beat Llandrindod Wells Reserves 2-1 at home. Martin Rowan had given the Spa men an interval lead but Rory Myles-Roberts struck twice in the second half for Northcote who , as a result, leapfrog Llandrindod in the league table.

Saturday’s remaining league game between Felindre and Presteigne Reserves was abandoned following a serious injury to Presteige player-manager, Mark Weiland. Playing in goal, Weiland sustained a double leg fracture and the match was rightly abandoned by referee, Alan Williams after 78 minutes.

Goals from Josh Gardner (2) and Tom Lewis meant Presteigne were leading 3-2 at the time with Bertie Jones and Bertie Brock replying for Felindre but the game will have to be replayed later in the season.

Presteigne had reached the semi-finals of the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup with a 2-0 home success over St Harmon last Wednesday night. A goal in each half from Josh Gardner and Duanne Anning were enough to earn a semi-final tie away at either Llandrindod Wells Reserves or Felindre.

In the other semi-final, Llanidloes Town Reserves take on the winners of the Knighton Town Reserves v Rhayader Town tie.

ASPIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Officials are expecting a bumper crowd on Easter Sunday when Presteigne’s Llanandras Park hosts this season’s Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup Final.

Radnorshire’s current top two, Knighton Town and Radnor Valley, clash with the County Cup at stake.

Radnor have never won the Radnorshire Cup in their ninety-seven year history while it is a decade since Knighton lifted the trophy.

Knighton have won both league meetings betweent eh sides this time but on each occasion by the odd goal which suggests a close encounter is on the cards.