MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIV 1

Radnor Valley maintained their perfect start to the MMP Mid Wales League first division campaign with a 2-0 win at Tywyn Bryncrug. The Goats made it five wins from five with goals from Elliot Morris and Elliot Williams. Morris gave them the lead and then missed a penalty before a second spot-kick saw Williams clinch the points for Radnor who were due to face a massive game at Llanidloes last night (Wednesday), with The Daffs also boasting five wins from five.

Builth Wells picked up their first away point of the term with Will Cleaton and Brad Rollinson on target as they twice came from a goal down to draw 2-2 at former second division rivals Llansantffraid Village. Builth missed chances in the first half and trailed to a Nathan Prodger goal at the break. Richie Powell set Cleaton up for an equaliser and Powell was again involved when the visitors were awarded a penalty. His cross was handled but Mark Jones fired wide from the penalty spot and, within a minute, Prodger had netted his second at the other end. The impressive Rollinson levelled after playing a one-two with Sam Williams and Builth might have snatched it at the end but Lee James headed over from close range.

Llandrindod Wells slipped to a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Llanfair United despite taking the lead when the visitors failed to clear a corner and Gareth Jones swung the ball back in for Shane Pritchards to glance in a header.

Alun Hughes equalised following a free-kick and Toby Evans grabbed what turned out to be the winner before half-time after Josh Astley robbed a home defender. Both teams had chances in the second half with the best two probably falling to Pritchard who was denied by the Llanfair ‘keeper before firing the second chance over with his wrong foot. Llandrindod player-manager Gareth Jones said: “We probably deserved a draw but it wasn’t to be.”

Knighton Town’s poor start continued as they crashed to a 15-0 defeat at Kerry on Friday night. Kerry took no mercy on a severely depleted Robins’ side with Max McLaughlin leading the rout with a four goal haul. There was a hat-trick for Cameron Vowles, two for James Price with Matt Mumford, Daryl McWatt, Alex Wilson, Rhys Morris, Ben Davies and an own goal completing the spree.

It was raining goals elsewhere too on Friday night as Caersws also hit double figures to maintain their 100% start. The Bluebirds trounced Churchstoke 10-0 with Elliot Jones leading the way with a hat-trick. Mark Edmondson netted twice while Phil Jones, Ryan Davies, Aled Jones, Gareth Jones and Paul Watson completed the spree.

Llanidloes Town defeated Aberaeron 3-1 with two goals from George Clarke and one from Peter Rees while Carno beat Bow Street 3-0 at home thanks to Josh Matthews, Andy Evans and an own goal.

Richard Davies completed a hat-trick in Berriew’s shownight clash with Welshpool Town in which the home side triumphed 3-1. Davies’ treble put The Rhiwsiders out of sight before a deflected Sam Evans strike reduced the deficit.

MIDWEEK GAMES

The two local derbies in the MMP Mid Wales League first division last midweek resulted in wins for Builth Wells and Radnor Valley.

Builth Wells got their season up and running on Tuesday night with a 5-0 home victory over Knighton Town. Both sides had lost three out of three going into the midweek clash but it was Dylan McPhee’s side which prevailed, with striker Mark Jones netting four times against his former club.

Jones headed Builth in front from a Josh Price cross and prodded in his second after defender Gavin Samuel got to the bye-line. Jones completed his hat-trick after Danny Ives and Price combined to set him up for a simple header for his hat-trick goal. A deflected 25 yard strike from Price extended the lead before half-time and Jones completed his tally with a volley from another Price cross as Builth could and should have won by a bigger margin.

Radnor Valley hosted Llandrindod Wells with both sides having won three out of three and it was Radnor who came out on top with Elliot Morris scoring twice in a 3-2 verdict at School Lane. Morris gave The Goats the lead with a 25-yard strike but player-manager, Gareth Jones levelled for Llandrindod from an Ashley Jones corner. Shane Pritchard then slotted Llandrindod ahead but Craig Pigott equalised for Radnor from a Liam Jones cross before Morris drove forward to again find the corner of the net and leave Radnor joint top in midweek. Both sides ended the night with 10 men with Radnor’s Callum Matthews and Kieran Davies, of Llandrindod, red carded by referee Rob Evans.

Connor Bird continued his rich vein of form in front of goal with a brace as Llanidloes Town won 2-1 at local rivals Carno. Bird put The Daffs two up before Andy Evans pulled one back against his former club.

Caersws also maintained their 100 % record but twice had to come from behind to triumph at Tywyn Bryncrug. Phil Jones grabbed a late winner after ex-Tywyn men, Aled Jones and Mark Edmondson had cancelled out efforts from former team mates Tom Alan Davies and Ethan Rodgers. Llanfair United are yet to concede a goal after Ashley Davies, Paul Griffiths and Toby Evans netted in a 3-0 win against Llansantffraid Village while Welshpool Town edged a 1-0 victory at Churchstoke. It was a tight affair with Ricky Litchfield proving the match winner for Welshpool who also missed a late penalty. Kerry pulled off one of the best results in midweek with Max McLaughlin, Ben Davies and Chris Carroll on target in a 3-0 success over Berriew who saw a late penalty saved by Lambs keeper Archie Davies.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIV 2

Hay St Marys are two points clear at the top of the MMP Mid Wales League second division following a thumping 7-0 win at Dyffryn Banw on Saturday. The Saints have bounced back from an opening day defeat to reel off four straight victories to set the early pace in Division Two. Jack Biggs headed Hay in front from a Tom James cross and then turned provider, setting up Brendan Hackett for a second. A cracking 35-yard strike from James made it three and it was four by half-time with another excellent goal from Tom Wilkes. Biggs, who has scored in all five games this season, scored twice more in the second half, one from the penalty spot, to complete his hat-trick and the equally impressive Hackett weighed in with his second to complete a good afternoon’s work.

Last season’s Mid Wales League (South) champions Rhayader Town notched their first win with an impressive 3-0 home success against Borth United. Rhayader dominated the game but took until the hour mark to break the deadlock when Jamie Evans headed in his third goal in as many games from an Aaron Bates corner. Taylor Wozencraft thumped home a second from a Mark Davies cross and Mattie Lewis completed the scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down.

Newbridge made it back to back wins with a fine 2-0 victory at previously unbeaten Waterloo Rovers. It was always going to be a tough on especially without six regulars but The Villagers battled hard to take the spoils with late goals from Ollie Woods and Aeron Powell.

Presteigne bounced back from a heavy defeat the previous week to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw with Four Crosses. The hosts probably felt they had done enough to win the game but in the end were indebted to captain Jordan Cooper who fired home a last-minute free-kick. Chris Evans had given Presteigne the lead with his first goal for the club but Jamie Evans scored either side of half-time for Crosses.

Elsewhere Abermule ran out 4-1 winners at Dolgellau with goals from Adam Williams, Chris Gethin, Dan Green and Tom Halliday with David Edwards converting a penalty for the hosts.

MIDWEEK GAMES

Aeron Powell netted four times as Newbridge had got their MMP Mid Wales League second division campaign back on track with a big 12-1 home success against Brecon Northcote last Wednesday night. After two big defeats, The Villagers bounced back with their captain leading the way. There were also hat-tricks for Ollie Woods and last season’s Mid Wales League (South) Golden Boot winner, Dave Thomas with Charlie Boucher and Jake Bufton completing the tally. Jordan Ingram gained a consolation for Northcote.

Hay St Marys had reeled off a third straight win with Jack Biggs and Chris Preece netting their goals in a narrow 2-1 home verdict over Rhayader Town. But Rhayader can count themselves unlucky as they would have had a point but for Hay ‘keeper Tom Lewis who produced a string of fine saves. The Red Kites would have been two up but for Lewis and then found themselves two down with Biggs scoring from close range and Preece thumping a header home from a corner. Jamie Evans headed one back for Rhayader on 70 minutes and they were denied an equaliser with Lewis pulling off another fine stop from Jordan McFadden in stoppage time.

A wonder strike from ex-Carno striker, Ioan Humphreys earned Montgomery Town a 1-0 win at previously unbeaten Four Crosses who had seen a first half penalty saved by ‘keeper, Ollie Lewis.

Waterloo Rovers, like Montgomery had remained unbeaten in midweek and were 2-1 winners against Abermule. Andrew Gwilt and Tom Ellis were the Rovers’ marksmen with Adam Williams replying.

Borth United paid the price for a poor first-half performance as they slipped to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Dolgellau. Jasper Jones (2) and David Edwards gave Dolgellau a commanding interval lead before Ryan Davies and Jamie Walker reduced the deficit.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Talgarth Town maintained their good start to the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) season with a 2-1 midweek win at Builth Wells Reserves. Ben Sharman fired Talgarth ahead 10 minutes before half-time although Builth had more than held their own during that first half. Talgarth gained the upper hand after the break and Harry Sharman eventually headed a second from a corner.

Ryan Powell reduced the deficit for Builth but it was too little too late with the final whistle going straight after the restart.

Llanidoes Town Reserves were runners-up to Rhayader Town last season and The Daffs are aiming to go one better this time and kicked off with a 3-1 home verdict over local rivals St Harmon. Adrian Foulkes gave Llanidloes the lead but Adam Martin pegged it back to 1-1 only to see Rhys Evans score twice for The Daffs, his first from the penalty spot after being brought down. Presteigne Reserves, who narrowly lost out in the Summer Cup Final the previous week, opened up with a 3-2 victory at Hay St Marys Reserves who will be disappointed at surrendering a two-goal lead.

After a goalless first half, Chris Assirati struck twice for The Saints but Presteigne stormed back. Tom Lewis and Billy Hyett levelled matters before Gareth Bull headed their winner two minutes form time.

New player-manager, Gavin Johnson was celebrating his first win as Penybont United triumphed 7-3 at Felindre with Scott Davies and Ryan Lawrence each netting twice. Jonty Parsons, Elliot Watkins and Rory Brown were also on target with Bertie Brock, Greg Griffiths and Sam Morgan replying for Felindre.