MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1
Robbie Nicholls, Kieran McCarley and Ryan Sims were on target as Llandrindod Wells got their MMP Mid Wales League Division One season off to a flier with a 3-1 success against visiting Aberaeron. In front of a good crowd on The Broadway, The Spa started well but fell behind when Steffan Gittins found himself unmarked to slot home at the far post. Nicholls levelled on the half hour, spotting the ‘keeper off his line to net from the edge of the box. Llandrindod began to get a grip on the game in the second half and on 70 minutes went ahead with last season’s topscorer, McCarley scoring from the penalty spot after Shane Pritchard was brought down. Darryl Nicholls made a goal line clearance to keep the lead intact following an error by ‘keeper, Joe Prosser before Llandrindod wrapped up the points with Pritchard unselfishly squaring to Sims.
Llandrindod player-manager, Gareth Jones said “It was a tough game which really could have gone either way but we fortunately got the all important breakthrough in the second half”.
Radnor Valley were also celebrating three points as they defeated Kerry 2-1 at School Lane. It was not a vintage performance from The Goats but three points is three points. Callum Matthews netted Radnor’s first competitive goal of the campaign when he ran on to a through ball from Ieuan Price on ten minutes. A trademark Joey Price thundered back off the bar but Radnor soon added a second with a Kerry defender heading into his own goal following a Liam Jones free-kick. Mark Hughes headed one back after a long throw-in midway through the season half but Elliot Morris and Joey Price both went close for Radnor with a determined Kerry remaining in the game right to the end.
Builth Wells manager, Dylan McPhee said there were a number of positives to take from their 5-1 defeat at Berriew. The home side have certainly boosted ther firepower with the return of Richard Davies following a spell at Caersws plus the signings of Joe Haycock from Churchstoke and Charlie Humphreys from Abermule. All three were on target with Humphreys netting twice with Davies and Haycock adding singles while Harry Watkins completed the nap hand. Danny Ives scored for Builth when they were three down.
Builth were the better side during a goalless first half but failed to take their chances.
Knighton Town had a day to forget after crashing to a 12-0 defeat at Llanfair United whose Karl Seliaerts took no mercy on an inexperienced Robins. Seliaerts bagged no fewer than six of the goals while Josh Astley registered a hat-trick. Andrew Hughes (2) and Gethin Stephens completed the tally.
Caersws, hoping for a swift return to the Huws Gray Alliance, were 2-0 winners at Bow Street courtesy of Phil Jones and Elliot Jones while Connor Bird made an immediate impact on the debut for Llanidloes Town, who are another side tipped to do well. The former Knighton striker scored the only goal three minutes before half-time for The Daffs in their 1-0 victory at Churchstoke.
Last season’s runners-up, Welshpool Town swept to a surprisingly easy 5-0 win at Carno with goals from Ricky Lichfield (2), Wil Thomas (2) and Ian Macleod and Twyn Bryncrug beat Llansantffraid Village 2-0 thanks to Nick Williams and Cullen Rodgers.
MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2
Newbridge made the best possible start to the MMP Mid Wales League second division campaign with a 4-1 opening day victory at Dolgellau. The Villagers carried their impressive pre-season form over into the league with goals from Lyndon Jones (2), Ollie Woods and Jake Bufton securing the spoils. Newbridge had trailed to a Dominic Thomas strike but responded well and dominated proceedings after Jones grabbed their equaliser. Woods edged them ahead, again from long range, and Woods got a tap-in before half-time with Jones completing the tally with his second in the second half
Last season’s Mid Wales (South) League Champions, Rhayader Town picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at fellow newcomers, Waterloo Rovers. After a goalless first half, Rhayader started the brighter after the break and Joe Wozencraft saw his effort blocked on the line. Rovers took the lead from the penalty spot when Dan Goodman was adjudged to have held Charlie Proctor. Liam Addison saved the penalty but Rhayader failed to clear their lines and Andrew Gwilt bundled the ball, in at the third attempt. The introduction of Gareth Hughes, who was last week named player-manager, led to a Rhayader equaliser as his 50 yard diagonal ball was headed back across goal by Ryan Addison for Jamie Evans to nod home.
Team manager, Dai Davies said “It was a rusty performance due to a poor last week of pre-season but overall a good point on the road”
Presteigne St Andrews will also be well pleased with a point in a 2-2 draw at Machynlleth after twice coming from a goal down. Young ‘keeper, Fin Ozsoylu saved an early penalty and Shaun Harris’ side then twice had to come from behind with goals from Duanne Anning and Sam Roberts, who hit a last minute screamer, cancelling out efforts from the home side’s Drew page and Ben Richards.
Hay St Marys fell to a 5-2 defeat at home against newly promoted Four Crosses where the sending off of Callum Maddy just before half-time was the game’s turning point. The Saints were deservedly 2-1 up at that stage through Matty Tong and the impressive Jack Biggs. After Maddy saw red for retaliation, the second half went from bad to worse for Hay as Four Crosses soon equalised and not helped by injuries to Tong and ‘keeper, Tom Lewis, rattled in another three goals. For the visitors, Ben Simms scored twice with Kyle Wilson, Paul Bache and Shin Miah also on target.
There was an opening day defeat also for Brecon Northcote who fell 5-1 at Borth United despite taking the lead through Curtis Williams. James Davies had The Seasiders level by half-time and they banged in four unanswered second half goals through Sam Chapman, Guto Hughes and Clive Morgan.
The second division had kicked off on Friday night with a 1-1 draw between Abermule and Montgomery Town. Both sides have strengthened in the summer and a late penalty from player-manager, Dave Anthony earned Abermule a point after they had seen Will Denham sent off. Robbie Hartshorn had given Montgomery the lead in the second half.
WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)
Penybont are looking to rebuild as they kick off the new Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) season at Talgarth Town on Friday night. The Racecourse side have appointed club legend, Gavin Johnson as their new manager and he said “The main aim is to get Penybont back competing and winning games. It has been a tough couple of years in Spar Two and hopefully dropping into the Mid Wales (South) we can rebuild the club and move forward. Off the pitch, we are looking to make improvements with the funds we received from winning the Fair Play award last season, hopefully these improvements will create a great atmosphere for the team”.
Johnson added “Our transfer window has been extremely busy with the majority of last season’s squad leaving for University and a few moving to remain in the Mid Wales League. So a complete rebuild has seen a whole new squad come in, some old faces have returned but the majority are new”
Penybont’s new signings include Rob Hughes, Phil Ruell, Jordan Parsons, Darren Powell, Lewis Parsons and Michael Teece while Ryan Lawrence complete a transfer from Penybont this week.
Talgarth Town, like Penybont, found life hard going in the Mid Wales League and failed to complete last season. But they have recruited signing strikers, Rob McNamara from Hay St Marys and Brian Keddle from Brecon Corries.
Craig Jones also arrives from the Corries while Talgarth, who have Mark Harding and Chris Voyle in charge, were hoping to complete the transfer of ‘keeper, Jordan Bailey from Hay.
Secretary, Martyn Norwood said: “It has been a busy season trying to get the team back together after a disappointing season. It has been a great effort by everyone involved at the club to attract players new and old. We have a very good squad and will be hoping to have a stronger league campaign and also a good cup run”.
There are three games on Saturday with St Harmon entertaining Felindre in their tradional show night game. The Swifts have lost midfielder, Phil Ruell to Penybont but have compensated with the signing of ex-Rhayader Town pair, Tom Jones and Mark Price and Jeff Jones from Llandrindod Wells. Adam Stephens is likely to figure having been unavailable for much of last season while the return of Adam Martin from travelling is like another new signing for The Swifts. Manager, Geoff Rees said “We have a stronger squad than last season and will be looking to give a good account of ourselves and aim for a top four spot”.
Felindre begin their second season back with spokesman, George Morgan saying “We are looking to build on last season. We learned a lot and got taught a few lessons but the aim is to finish outside the bottom two. We have a strong group of players who are eager to get points under their belt”.
Felindre have signed Kerry based winger, Adam Joseph and hope to bring in a couple more experienced faces while much is expected from Charlie Reynolds, James Reynolds and last season’s topscorer, Bertie Jones.
Llandrindod Wells Reserves welcome Hay St Marys to The Broadway with former referee, Dai Evans taking over as manager with Martin Rowan his assistant. The Spa finished ninth last season but should benefit from Gareth Jones’ first team strengthening.
Hay Reserves’ manager, Julian Assirati, who is also the club chairman admitted following the departure of so many players last season, it was more about survival than anything else. He said “There is a sense of optimism within the club and we are hoping to avoid the big losses of last season giving other teams good competitive matches”.
Builth Wells enjoyed a successful second half of last season but manager, Darryl Wood has been hit by the loss of several players to local rivals, Newbridge. Ieuan Price and Adam Chessell have however moved the other way. Builth are at home against Knighton Town Reserves on Saturday before taking on Talgarth Town on The Lant Field next Wednesday night.
OWEN EVANS SUMMER CUP
The first piece of silverware in the Mid Wales League (South) is up for grabs on Friday night when Llanidloes Town Reserves take on Presteigne Reserves in the Mid Wales League (South) Summer Cup Final.
The season’s curtain raiser is traditionally between the Mid Wales (South) League Champions and the League Cup winners but with double winners, Rhayader Town having stepped up to the Mid Wales League, the runners up in both competitions will contest the Owen Evans Memorial Trophy,
Both teams will hope to challenge for league honours this season after Rhayader dominated last season – losing just one league match. Llanidloes have lost Conrad Galloway and Joe Evans to Maesyrhandit and Ollie Lewis to Montgomery Town but are still expected to be among the leading pack.
Presteigne joint managers, Mark Weiland and Alan Stocker have signed Jack Brindley, Billy Hyett, Jordan Griffiths and Liam Blythe from arch rivals, Knighton Town while goalkeeper, Darryl Gower, who was registered with Felindre last season is another new arrival. The Llanandras Park side were fifth last term and also reached the League Cup Final and will be looking to kick on.
Weiland said: “With the new signings, we have competition for places which is always a good thing. I’m confident we can improve on last season’s position but we need a better start as we did not get a win from our first few games last year.”