MMP MID WALES LEAGUE

DIVISION 1

Radnor Valley remain top of the MMP Mid Wales League first division despite a 6-2 defeat at Berriew. Radnor’s eight match winning run came to an end as a depleted squad failed to cope with an exciting Berriew front line. Gareth Davies and Geraint Lloyd scored for Radnor while Richard Davies led the list of Berriew scorers while Charlie Humphreys (2) and Joe Haycock completed their tally. Radnor are still awaiting International Clearance for a number of players and joint manager, Paul Morgan admitted “It is now becoming a really drawn out process for the club”. Those players signed before the season started and it really is not good enough with players being prevented from playing football.

Builth Wells fell to a 4-1 defeat at Llanfair United despite the hosts, who are unbeaten this season, playing a large part of the game with ten men following a red card for Nathan Edgington. Josh Astley had given the hosts an early lead in a feisty affair before Llanfair were reduced to ten men on 40 minutes. Karl Seliaerts doubled the lead from the penalty spot following a handball early in the second half but Builth immediately replied with Sam Williams scoring from close range. Astley regined Llanfair’s two goal advantage with a great finish before Toby Evans converted a Ryan McVeagh cross to complete Llanfair’s win. Builth manager, Dylan McPhee s not too down hearted as he felt his side missed a number of chances while they were disrupted by the loss of Pail Worthington to injury early on.

Caersws and Llanidloes Town also cashed in on Radnor’s slip with convincing wins on Saturday. Caersws romped to a 10-2 win at Kerry with the returning Rhydian Davies and Phil Jones each netting twice. Tom Richards, Aled Jones, Mark Edmondson, Elliot Jones, Craig Harris and Lance Jones also chipped in for The Bluebirds with Mark Hughes and Matt Mumford scoring for Kerry whose Mumford was sent off before half-time after picking up two yellows in a minute.

Llanidloes ran out 5-1 winners over Llansantffraid Village with goals from Llion Jenkins, Dewi Allen, Connor Bird, Gregg Brown and Peter Rees.

There were a glut of goals elsewhere with Bow Street and Carno both scoring five. Steffan Richards, Shaun Jones, Ben Jones, Dean Evans and Callum Ferreira contributed to Bow Street’s 5-0 home success over bottom of the table Churchstoke while Richie Evans (2), Andy Evans (2) and Callum Page helped Carno to a 5-1 verdict at Tywyn Bryncrug who replied through Tom Alan Davies.

In the Friday night game, Welshpool Town slipped to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Aberaeron. Wil Thomas netted for Welshpool but Gareth Severs, Elwyn Edwards and Ifan Burrell ensured Aberaeron took the spoils to see them leapfrog Welshpool in the league table.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Newbridge moved into second spot in the MMP Mid Wales League second division with a thrilling 5-4 victory over visiting Machynlleth. The Villagers twice surrendered a two goal, lead before claiming the points with a last minute winner. Ollie Woods netted twice for Newbridge with Aeron Powell (pen), Kejan Foryszewski and Charlie Boucher their other marksman while Alex Davies, Callum Roberts, Sion Jones and an own goal had Machynlleth thinking they had done enough to earn a point.

There was no joy however for Presteigne and Rhayader Town. Presteigne took on league leaders, Montgomery Town at Llanandras Park which passed a midday pitch inspection following the recent deluge. Montgomery ran out 3-1 winners although Presteigne manager, Shaun Harris felt his side competed well after conceding a first minute goal. Curtis Williams scored for Presteigne on his debut following a move from Brecon Northcote while Tom Evans (2) and Olie Lewis netted for Montgomery who were definitely more clinical in the final third of the field

Rhayader travelled to Dolgellau where a hat-trick from David Edwards guided the Gwynedd side to three points with Jamie Evans again scoring the Rhayader goal with his sixth in as many league games.

Late goals from Tom Foulkes and Alun Williams gave Dyffryn Banw a 2-1 win at Borth United who had led through Guto Huws while Waterloo Rovers and Four Crosses drew 1-1 with Charlie Proctor and Jamie Evans the respective marksmen.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE(SOUTH)

Knighton Town finally got their season up and running with an 8-1 home victory over ten man Brecon Northcote in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South). Both clubs have made the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks and it was The Radnor Robins who collected a morale boosting victory with hat-tricks from Owen Holdsworth and Sam Hoyle. Lucas Kirby and Ieuan Webb got the other goals with Louis Pritchard gaining a consolation for Northcote who saw Jason Keddle sent off in the first half.

Talgarth Town continue to catch the eye and The Royals swept to a 4-1 home success against Llandrindod Wells Reserves – a sixth win on the trot. Rob Evans headed Talgarth in front following a corner and Ben Sharman added a second albeit against the run of play. Gethin Davies was instrumental down the right before Sharman cut inside to drill home. Sharman scored his second and Talgarth’s third after the break and Evans also got his second with another header before Ryan Sims reduced the deficit for the Spa men.

Builth Wells Reserves remain second after a 3-0 home verdict over Presteigne Reserves. Daniel Walker and Michael Evans have Builth a two goal half-time lead and Aron Walters completed the victory in the second half.

Newcastle cranked up the pressure on the leaders with two wins in a profitable week for the Shropshire men beginning with a 5-2 success in the border derby at Knighton Town. Craig Morris scored twice with Matthew Jones, Tom Bright and Ed Bennett-Jones also finding the net while Owen Holdsworth bagged a brace for Knighton to leave the score 2-2 at half-time.

Newcastle went on to defeat St Harmon 5-0 at home on Saturday with player-manager, Craig Morris again leading the front with another double while veteran, Jimmy Thomas, Tom Bright and Ed Bennett-Jones completed the hap hand.

Kai Evans starred with a hat-trick as Llanidloes Town Reserves maintained their challenge with a 6-1 victory at Felindre. Nick Jones netted twice and Callum Jones completed the six hit with Bertie Jones replying for Felindre who are still seeking their first point.

ASPIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Mark Jones bagged a hat-trick as Builth Wells eased through to the second round of this season’s Aspidistra Cup with a 7-0 win against Penybont United. In the tie, played at Rhayader Town’s Weirglodd, Builth forged a two goal interval lead before stepping up the pace after the break. Jones and Tom Bethell netted the first half goal s and Jones completed his hat-trick in the second half with Richie Powell scoring twice while an own goal completed the tally.

Llanidloes progressed with a 3-1 home verdict against Newbridge taking the lead with a header from George Clarke. Newbridge scored with a great header from the in-form Dave Thomas just after half-time but Rhys Evans regained the lead for The Daffs following good work from Clarke before Matthew Savage sealed the tie with a third goal for Llanidloes.

Hay St Marys overcame Brecon Northcote 5-1 on Sunday with Jack Biggs and Matty Tong giving The Saints a two goal interval lead. Tong grabbed his second in the second half when Greg Preece and Adi Lawford were also on target.

Presteigne and Talgarth Town are through without kicking a ball as Rhayader Town and St Harmon conceded their respective ties which will result in £50 fines for each.

Holders, Radnor Valley were handed a first round bye along with Knighton Town and Llandrindod Wells.

The draw for the second round was made at the week-end and Radnor Valley will begin their defence of the trophy at home against Mid Wales (South) League leaders, Talgarth Town.

Llandrindod Wells host Knighton Town, Presteigne St Andrews welcome Llanidloes Town to Llanandras Park while Hay St Marys and Builth Wells clash in a Brecknock derby.

The full Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup 2nd Round draw is:

Hay St Marys v Builth Wells,

Llandrindod Wells v Knighton Town, Presteigne v Llanidloes Town,

Radnor Valley v Talgarth Town