SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Connor Bird netted four times as Knighton Town romped to an 8-0 home win against Borth United in the Spar Mid Wales League first division. The Robins virtually had the points in the bag in the opening ten minutes as they raced into a three goal lead against a Borth side who look destined for relegation. Bird truck twice and Sam Williams was also on target. Bird completed his hat-trick before half-time while Adam Farmer also headed against the bar. Williams extended the lead in the second half and Chris Roff and Farmer also chipped in before the in-form Bird completed his four goal tally.

Llandrindod Wells made it three wins from four with Robbie Nicholls and Kieran McCarley getting the goals in a 2-0 home success over Berriew.

Radnor Valley’s slide continued and The Goats have dropped into the bottom half of the table after a 2-0 defeat at Carno. Jac Petrie netted both goals for Carno meaning Radnor have now lost five of their last six in the league having been fourth at one stage.

Llanrhaeadr were crowned first division Champions following a 4-3 win against Welshpool Town who had led the league for most of the season. Player-manager, Mark Griffiths scored twice with Iwan Matthews and Joe Vaughan also on target while Ian Probert, Wil Thomas and Ricky Lichfield replied. Welshpool have finished their league programme with Llanidloes Town able to snatch runners-up from them needing seven points from their three remaining games.

Llanidloes had kept their hopes of a top two finish alive with a 3-1 home success against Tywyn Bryncrug. Josh Hartrick put The Daffs two up and Peter Rees sealed the points after Ryan Goddard had reduced the deficit for Tywyn.

Bow Street have an outside chance of runners-up spot but dropped points in a 3-3 draw with Churchstoke. Tom Evans, Steff Richards and Llion Jenkins scored for Bow Street after Churchstoke had three times led through Joe Haycock, Andrew Green and Neil Yapp.

Aberaeron have enjoyed a good season and pulled off an excellent 2-0 home win over Llanfair United. Both goals came in the second half with Liam Jaques opening the scoring and Mattie Davies bagging the second from the penalty spot after Jaques was fouled.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (MIDWEEK)

Llandrindod had seen their recent revival halted last Wednesday night as they slipped to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Aberaeron. The Seasiders took the lead when a shot from the impressive Liam Jacques went in via the bar but Llandrindod were level before half-time with player-manager, Gareth Jones scoring from close range. Gaeth Severs headed Aberaeron back in front after the break but Llandrindod responded well. The Aberaeron defence however stood firm and the visitors sealed the points when topscorer, Mattie Davies got on the end of Severs’ ball over the top

A patched up Knighton Town had gone down 3-0 at home against Champions elect, Llanrhaeadr. Connor Bird and Sam Williams had chances and Adam Farmer hit the bar but the batting home side were sunk by three late goals with Khyam Wyton, Iwan mattherws and Dan Graham netting for the Tanat Valley side.

Llanidloes Town and Berriew played out a goalless draw a game which was marred by injuries to The Daffs’ Kris Williams and Berriew’s Rhys Stephens.

And Llanfair United went ahead of Llanidloes in third spot on goal difference following a 5-3 victory at Kerry. Two goals from Alun Hughes put Llanfair in the driving seat but Matt Mumford and James Price pegged it back for Kerry by half-time. Toby Evans, Josh Astley (pen) and Karl Seliaerts, direct from a corner took Llanfair out of sight in the second half before Ben Davies netted Kerry’s third.

Bow Street, with games in hand on the teams above them, ended Tywyn B ryncrug’s recent run with a 2-1 away win. Former Penrhyncoch midfielder, Mark Gornall grabbed both goals, one a free-kick and the other a penalty.

Carno got back to wining ways with Jac Petrie, Luke Holt, Joe Morris and Scott Williams netting in a 4-2 verdict at Churchstoke who scored first and last thjrough Joe Haycock and Tony Meredith.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Builth Wells took a huge stride towards the Spar Mid Wales league second division title with a 2-0 home victory over Llansantffraid Village on The Lant Field. Builth unbeaten in the league this season, dominated the game against their title rivals with player-manager, Chris Jones, in goal, having virtually nothing to do. Builth had a lot of possessioin in a goalless first half but Joel Metcalf broke the deadlock midway through the second period with a strike from just outside the box. Ten minutes later it was game over as Richie Powell was taken out by the visiting ‘keeper and Tom Bethell netted from the penalty spot.

Builth’s 2-1 win in the local derby at Brecon Northcote last Wednesday night ensured both Builth and Llansantffraid cannot be caught in the race for promotion and both should take their place in Division One next season. Builth were the better side scoring through Adie Jones and Gavin Samuel but Northcote, in their first season in Spar football, gave another decent account of themselves with topscorer, Joel Evans levelling at one stage with an effort from almost the half way line .

Hay St Marys closed the gap on Brecon Northcote with a narrow 3-2 home success against Penybont who were aiming to build on their own victory against Presteigne the previous week. Matty Tong missed a first half penalty for The Saints and Penybont went straight down the other end to take the lead with hay defender, Harry Gilbert slicing the ball into his own net.

Hay started the second half brightly and Callum Maddy headed them level from Richard Meredith’s cross. Jack Biggs scored when Hay were awarded another penalty after Tong was taken out and Darren Horrigan cut in from the left to net Hay’s third. Ex-Llandrindod wells midfielder, Kejan Foryszewski pulled one back from Penybont with a free-kick and The Polecats were denied a point when they struck the post in stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Dolgellau had mixed fortunes last week with Dominic Thomas netting twice in a 2-1 home verdict over Abermule who relied through Rob Bayliss on Saturday while earlier in the week, the Gwynedd side went down 1-0 at home against Dyffryn Banw who took the spoils through James Vaughan.

Big news from Division Two came with the decision of Talgarth Town to withdraw from the league with just four games remaining. Talgarth failed to raise a team for their scheduled trip to Llansantffraid a week last Saturday and late on Friday night, the South Powys side advised League Secretary, Phil Woosnam they would not be going to Montgomery Town on Saturday and would be writing to him confirming their withdrawal. Talgarth made a bright start to the season and following a narrow opening day defeat against Presteigne, recorded wins against Newbridge and Penybont and then became one of only two teams to take points off Builth Wells. But it went downhill from there as they suffered thirteen straight league defeats before ending that slump with a victory against Dolgellau. Talgarth’s remaining league games, all away, were Montgomery Town, Presteigne, Dolgellau and Llansantffraid and will now not be played and all their earlier results expunged from the league table.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Rhayader Town received the Watson FinancIal Mid Wales League (South) Championship trophy following their last home game of the season. The Red Kites clinched the title with a narrow 1-0 win against Newcastle with the influential Gareth Hughes grabbing the all important goal midway through the second half. Rhayader have not dropped a point all season to end up deserved Champions. There was little doubt from day one, the Weirglodd side would win the league having come down from the Huws Gray Alliance in the summer and they will now begin their climb back up the pyramid system. Rhayader had romped to a 7-1 win at local rivals, Llandrindod Wells Reserves last Thursday night. There were two goals each for Mark Davies and Gareth Hughes with Taylor Wozencraft, Michael Fowlie and Matty Lewis also on target while Kieran McCarley gained Llandrindod’s consolation. Rhayader will now look to comlete a League and Cup double when they meet Presteigne Reserves in the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup Final at Builth Wells on Sunday.

Presteigne Reserves warmed up for The Final taking the spoils in the East Radnor derby on Friday night with a big 7-1 victory over arch rivals, Knighton Town Reserves. Duanne Anning led the way with a hat-trick, Jamie Blythe netted twice and Liam Tompkins and an own goal made up their tally with Billy Hyett scoring Knighton’s consolation.