MMP Mid Wales League Division 1

Radnor Valley are five points clear at the top of the MMP Mid Wales League first division after as 2-1 home success over Welshpool Town on Saturday. Radnor are in dream land at the moment as they reeled off an eighth successive league win.

Last season ‘s runners-up, Welshpool had taken an early lead when the ever dangerous, Wil Thomas broke into the penalty area to fire past Will Fowden. However Radnor responded immediately with Craig Pigott forcing home Joey Price’s low free-kick at the far post. Midway through the first half, Radnor were in front when the hard working Jack Williams broke and his cross was deflected in by a visiting defender. Radnor had chances in the second half but so too did Welshpool who pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes but Radnor stood firm.

Earlier in the week, Radnor had recorded a 4-1 victory at Llansantffraid Village. Joey Price netted twice as The Goats maintained their perfect start to the campaign coming from a goal down to make it seven straight wins. Llansantffraid had taken the lead through Nathan Prodger from the penalty spot and Radnor took a while to settle but were soon back in the game with Price equalising before half-time. Steve Morgan headed them in front from Price’s free-kick and Radnor’s talisman then scored his second and the visitors’ third from a direct free-kick. Llansantffraid had a chance to reduce the deficit but incredibly missed two penalties in the space of a minute - one saved by Will Fowden and one wide. And after the hosts had Tom Gale sent off, Radnor sealed another fine away win when Price pressurised the home defence allowing Jack Williams to blast home a fourth goal.

Builth Wells saw their recent unbeaten run ended as they were beaten 3-2 at home by Aberaeron in a game from which they probably deserved something. Builth’s Paul Worthington scored the game’s first goal, a cracking header, unfortunately for him at the wrong end. Poor defending allowed Aberaeron to score again and Builth then missed a penalty with Tom Bethell’s spot kick saved following a handball. Luke Hicks did score from the spot when a second penalty was awarded for a push in the box. Aberaeron regained their two goal advantage but Builth were handed another lifeline when Hicks converted his second penalty following a foul on Bethell. Builth huffed and puffed in the second half and Richie Powell was denied in a one on one situation while Bethell blazed over from five yards but it was not to be.

MMP Mid Wales League Division 2

Rhayader Town’s season came to life last Wednesday night as player-manager, Gareth Hughes scored twice in a 5-1 local derby victory over Newbridge in the MMP Mid Wales League second division. A delighted team manager, Dai Davies said “It was a great performance from the lads and one that has been coming and unfortunately for Newbridge, they took the brunt of it.” Rhayader were three goals to the good at half-time thanks to Jamie Evans, Hughes and Taylor Wozencraft while Newbridge had been reduced to ten men with ex-Rhayader youth team player Lyndon Jones sent off for picking up two yellow cards. An early second half goal, a header from Hughes, settled the match as a contest and Ryan Addison added a fifth for the rampant Kites before Newbridge, who never gave up, got one back in the last minute with George McCarthy-Allen netting following a corner.

Newbridge went on to collect a point in a 3-3 draw at home against Borth United at the week-end. The Villagers were second best for the first hour but staged a spirited fightback with a ten minute hat-trick from former Builth Wells striker, Dave Thomas after Dion Ellis-Clarke, Clive Morgan and Gethin Ap Dafydd had seen The Seasiders 3-0 ahead.

The week-s other Division two game saw Abermule triumph 4-0 at Dyffryn Banw with goals from Will Denham (2), Dan Green and Jack Weaver.

FAW Trophy Competition

There was no joy for the local sides in Saturday’s FAW Trophy with Llandrindod Wells, Hay St Marys, Presteigne St Andrews, Rhayader Town and Brecon Northcote all failing to get past the second round. Having beaten Bow Street 2-0 in the MMP Mid Wales League first division, the previous week, Llandrindod were aiming to progress against the same opponents, but The Spa side lost 1-0 at home with Tom Williams scoring the all important goal in the last minute.

Hay St Marys gave a very good account of themselves at Carno where they eventually bowed out 2-1. The Saints had led at half-time thanks to a cracking half volley from Matty Tong and perhaps should have been further ahead at that stage. Headed goals in the second half from Andy Evans and Richie Evans saw Carno through although topscorer, Jack Biggs had a late effort disallowed for Hay.

Presteigne were another to lose by the odd goal going down 3-2 at home against second division rivals, Four Crosses. Tom Lewis and Tom Crichton netted for Shaun Harris’ side but it proved not quite enough with Josh Thomas, Elliot Howes and Jake Edwards (pen) seeing Crosses through.

Rhayader Town were without a host of regulars for their tie against Llanfair United and performed well before two second half goals from Josh Astley earned Llanfair a 2-0 win.

Brecon Northcote were expecting a difficult evening when they traveled to Division One high fliers, Caersws. But they must have been well pleased at half-time trailing to a solitary Mark Edmondson strike. But once Edmondson added his and The Bluebird’s second after the break the floodgates opened with the former Tywyn Bryncrug man going on to bag five while Elliot Jones (pen), Josh Jones and Aled Jones (2) also got in on the act.

Former Knighton Town striker. Connor Bird scored twice as Llanidloes Town progressed 3-2 against plucky Waterloo Rovers. Bird gave The Daffs a two goal lead, Andy Gwilt hit back with a brace for Rovers but Gregg Brown headed a winner for Llanidloes.

Charlie Humphreys bagged a hat-trick in Berriew’s 3-1 passage against Kerry who replied through Matt Mumford while Churchstoke celebrated their first win of the season knocking out Montgomery Town 2-1 with goals from Kieran Mulloch and Ed Marston.

Machynlleth edged a 4-3 extra-time victory over Dolgellau thanks to Andrew Page, paul Jones, Joseph Bella and Sion Jones with David Edwards, Jasper Jones and Dafydd Jones keeping Dolgellau in the hunt. .

Llansantffraid Village pulled off a fine 2-0 away win at Tywyn Bryncrug with goals from Baile Austin and Nathan Prodger while ‘keeper, Rhys Jones made a vital penalty save.

Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South)

Talgarth Town are continuing to impress in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) and moved four points clear at the top with a 6-1 win at St Harmon. Harry Sharman led the way with a hat-trick as The Royals notched a fifth straight win.

Jordan Harvey opened the scoring after breaking through a couple of challenges and Rob Evans headed a second for Talgarth from Gavin Perry’s corner. Sharman penned his account early in the second half from Scott Powell’s flick on and grabbed his second from the penalty spot after being fouled. Sharman completed his hat-trick from a cross by Craig Jones who added Talgarth’s sixth before Adam Martin gained a consolation for St Harmon from the penalty spot.

Builth Wells Reserves are second in the table following a creditable point in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle. Builth travelled with just ten men and ended the game with nine after George Woods was sent off. Rudi Griffiths gave The Bu8lls the lead but player-manager, Craig Morris leveled for the Shropshire men.

Llanidloes Town reserves returned to winning ways with Kieran Matthews netting twice in a 4-2 victory at Knighton Town. Gareth Owen and an own goal completed The Daffs’ tally with Owen Holdsworth and player-manager, Adriano Giralami replying for Knighton.

Ashley Jones scored twice as Llandrindod Wells Reserves maintained their promising early season form withn a 4-3 home verdict over Brecon Northcote Reserves on Friday night. Charlie Vermiere and Darren Murphy also netted for the Spa men with Matthew Brooks, Owain Powell-Jones and Tom Morgan replying for Northcote who gave three youth team players their senior debuts.

Ryan Lawrence scored twice in the first half as Penybont United ran out 2-0 winners against Presteigne Reserves who themselves had picked up a point in midweek. Presteigne drew 1-1 at home with St Harmon with an own goal from Ollie Jones giving them a lead which was cancelled out by Tom Jones with his third goal in as many games for The Swifts.