MMP Mid Wales League Division 1

SUPERSUB Luke Hicks marked his debut with two goals as Builth Wells pulled off a super 3-0 win at Welshpool Town in the MMP Mid Wales League first division. Tom Bethell hit the post in the first half for The Bulls on Friday night but Welshpool had slightly shaded that first period. But it was Builth who made the breakthrough with Hicks, on as a first half substitute for Mark Jones, smashing home his first goal for the club. New ‘keeper, Stuart Turpin made one good save to keep the lead intact before Hicks grabbed his second, another fine finish from Bethell’s cross. Brad Rollinson completed the win when he put in the rebound after Hicks had been denied a hat-trick.

Llandrindod Wells also picked up three points at the week-end, returning to winning ways with a 2-0 home win against Bow Street on Saturday courtesy of first half goals from Robbie Nicholls and Shane Pritchard. Nicholls gave the Spa men an early lead from close range after the visiting ‘keeper had dropped a cross from Pritchrad who added a second on the half hour heading home a Shaun Nicholls cross. The Nicholls brothers and Samed De Groot had further chances but it remained 2-0 at half-time. The game was more even second half and Llandrindod saw a couple of efforts cleared off the line while at the other end, young ‘keeper, Kham Steventon made one excellent save to prevent a nervy last 20 minutes.

In the big top of the table clash, Caersws and Llanfair United both dropped their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw. Josh Astley finished off a Ryan McVeagh cross to put Llanfair in front on the hour but Elliot Jones capitalised on a defensive error to level ten minutes from time.

Debutant Llion Jenkins gave Llanidloes Town a first half lead as they went on to beat Tywyn Bryncrug 4-0 at home. Former Knighton Town player-manager, Adam Worton opened his account for The Daffs after the break and an own goal from a Rhys Evans cross and a George Clarke volley sealed the points for Llanidloes.

Berriew remain on the fringe of the leading pack after goals from Joe Haycock (2) and George Davies secured a 3-1 home win against Aberaeron while Kerry came from 3-2 down at half-time to triumph 4-3 at Churchstoke. Keran Mulloch scored twice and Ed Marsdon also netted as Churchstoke searched for their first points of the term but Kerry turned it around thanks to a hat-trick from Luke Mumford and one from Cenwyn Jones.

Big news of the week in Division One was the decision of Knighton Town to pull out after just six games. The departure of the entire first team squad of last season has meant a torrid start for the Radnor Robins. Their record was played six, lost six, scored one, conceded 53.Things came to a head a week last Saturday when the first team lost 9-0 at home against Berriew while the Reserves, who could only field ten players suffered a record 21-0 defeat at Penybont.

Obviously they were unable to carry on like that and following two emergency meetings last week made the decision to quit the MMP Mid Wales League.

Chairman, Gary Cooper said “It is with deep regret that Knighton Town are having to pull out of the Mid Wales League due to recent results, player unavailability and the integrity of the Football Club. The club was faced with the unpresented challenge of completely rebuilding the first team and whilst a number of promising youngsters have joined it has not been possible to field two teams. The committee is pleased that current manager, Adriano Giralami will continue in his role and oversee the development of the team during the rebuilding period. We really enjoyed our time in the Mid Wales League first division and will be looking to bounce back in the future”.

MMP Mid Wales League Division 2

It was a disappointing day all round for the local teams in the MMP Mid Wales League second division with Hay St Marys, Newbridge, Presteigne, Rhayader Town and Brecon Northcote all suffering defeats.

Hay were knocked off top spot after falling to a 2-1 reversal at Abermule. Jack Biggs had given The Saints the lead from the penalty spot but Huw McGrath and Tommy Jones turned it around for Abermule who had Adam Williams sent off for picking up two yellow cards.

Newbridge continue to blow hot and cold and will be disappointed at a 3-2 home defeat against Dyffryn Banw especially after leading 2-0 at half-time. Lyndon Jones and Ollie Woods had seemingly put ‘Bridge on the road to a fourth straight win but Banw hit back through Alan Williams, Jamie Huxley and an own goal.

Montgomery Town are the new leaders after their 4-2 win at Rhayader Town. Jamie Evans maintained his goal a game record for Rhayader and Joe Wozencraft was their other scorer while Tom Evans completed a hat-trick for Montgomery with Jack Williams bagging their other goal.

Presteigne were beaten 2-1 at Dolgellau where a disappointing first half performance saw Jon Sutton and Kieran Jones give the hosts a two goal lead. The Radnorshire side did pick things up in the second half and had chances either side of Ewan Rhodes reducing the deficit.

Brecon Northcote are still seeking their first point after a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of second placed Four Crosses. Jake Edwards scored twice and Simon Griffiths and a Jordan Gerrard penalty made up the Crosses tally with Guy Williams replying for Northcote.

Elsewhere there were goals galore at Borth United who drew 5-5 with Waterloo Rovers. Ryan Davies completed a hat-trick for Borth and Guto Huws and James Davies were also on target while Andrew Gwilt netted twice for Rovers with Charlie Proctor, Chris Proctor and Mark Proctor also scoring as the visitors grabbed a last minute equaliser.

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South)

Talgarth Town are emerging as one of the favourites for this season’s Watson Financial Mid Wales (South) League title following a 6-1 victory at Presteigne Reserves on Friday night. Scott Powell, who plays for the Wales over 40 side, opened the scoring with a header from Gavin Perry’s corner. Ben Sharman lashed home a second before Tom Lewis pulled one back from the penalty spot for Presteigne who were previously unbeaten. A penalty at the other end saw Harry Sharman score after being brought down and brother, Ben broke clear to net his second and Talgarth’s fourth. Ben Sharman comleted his hat-trick after Harry Sharman hit a post before Craig Jones completed the six hit converting a low cross from Rob Evans.

Presteigne themselves had romped to a 9-1 home success against Brecon Northcote Reserves last Tuesday night with Ioan Hughes netting twice. Adam Crowe, Duanne Anning, Tom Crichton, Nigel Duggan, Jack Bridley, Liam Tomkins and Tom Lewis were also on target with Kyle O’Shea bagging Northcote’s consolation.

Builth Wells Reserves pulled off one of the best wins of the day with Richie Powell starring in an 8-2 home success against Llanidloes Town Reserves. Powell reminded first team manager, Dylan McPhee of his capabilities with a five goal haul to sink The Daffs. Liam Ryland, Marcus Meadows and Sam Williams also found the net with Adrian Foulkes and Kai Evans replying.

Newcastle maintained their impressive start with player-manager Craig Morris scoring twice in a 5-1 home victory over Penybont. Ed Bennett-Jones, with his first goal for the Shropshire club, Carl Price and Tom Bright completed the nap hand with Rory Brown gaining Penybont’s consolation.

Llandrindod Wells Reserves are in a comfortable mid table position following a narrow 1-0 success at Felindre. A scrappy affair was settled by the Spa’s Darren Murphy who grabbed the all important goal, his fifth of the season, from a Tom Evans cross in the first half.

Hay St Marys Reserves were celebrating their first points of the term with Chris Assirati and Rhodri Jones each netting twice in a 5-4 thriller against Brecon Northcote Reserves. Richard Meredith put The Saints ahead but goals from Tom Morgan and Curtis Williams then saw Northcote lead. Asiratti and Northcote’s Kyle O’Shea traded goals before Jones opened his account to leave it 3-3 at half-time. Assirati and Jones, from the penalty spot saw Hay open up a 5-3 lead but Liam McAnally scored from virtually the half way line before it all kicked off with Northcote having Matthew Savage and Ben Bowen sent off in the closing minutes as they totally lost their discipline.

Knighton Town at last had something to celebrate as they played out a 3-3 draw with visiting St Harmon. Adam Martin had given The Swifts a two goal interval lead and Tom Jones added a third after the break. But The Robins, now down to just one side at Bryn-y-Castell showed a lot of character hitting back with Harry Worton, Sam Hoyle and Liam Davies earning them a point.