MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Sam Williams led the way as Builth Wells romped to an 8-0 home success against Twyyn Bryncrug in the MMP Mid Wales League first division . The former Knighton Town striker helped himself to a hat-trick with Josh Price scoring twice and Chris Roff, Tom Bethell and Will Cleaton also chipping in as Tywyn fell to an eighth straight league defeat.

The day’s other two Division One games resulted in 3-1 wins for Carno and Aberaeron who picked up points at bottom of the table Churchstoke.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Newbridge continue to head the MMP Mid Wales League second division after a 3-1 win at Aberystwyth University. The Villagers made it four straight league wins with two goals from in-form striker, Ollie Woods while former Builth Wells midfielder, Charlie Boucher was also on target as Newbridge maintain their slight advantage at the top.

Hay St Marys remain a point behind Newbridge, with two games in hand, following their hard earned 2-1 win at Waterloo Rovers. The Saints fell behind on 41 minutes when Andrew Gwilt headed Waterloo in front from a corner. But Hay responded on the stroke of half-time when Greg Preece broke down the right and his cross was sliced in by a home defender. Tom James set Jack Biggs up for what turned out to be the winner ten minutes into the second half although Hay had to withstand a spell of late pressure as a big Waterloo side pushed for an equaliser.

Presteigne were celebrating their first league win of the term after two goals from Curtis Williams and one from Marcus Pearce secured a 3-2 home success over Abermule who started the better. But Williams finished off a smart counter attack to give Presteigne the lead against the run of play and added his second after Tom Crichton had been denied. Goalkeeper, Fin Ozsolyu saved an Abermule penalty after the break but they did reduce the deficit though Nick Mumby. Pearce then grabbed his first of the season following a good turn in the box to regain Presteigne’s two goal advantage before Tommy Jones beat Oszlyu from distance but Presteigne stood firm.

It would have been wins all round for the local sides in Division Two but for a late penalty from Tom Evans which robbed Rhayader Town of victory in a 2-2 draw at Montgomery Town. Jack Williams netted the only goal of the first half for the hosts with Jordan Mcfadden and Jamie Evans missing chances for The Red Kites. McFadden released Evans for an equaliser in the second half and Taylor Wozencraft put Rhayader ahead from a superb cross field pass from Gareth Hughes. But Montgomery got their second in the closing minutes when Hughes was, Rhayader felt, harshly penalised for a push and Evans scored from the spot.

The other game in Division Two saw Four Crosses, with games in hand on all above them, defeat Machynlleth 3-1.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Owen Holdsworth starred with a hat-trick as Knighton Town notched only their second win if the campaign in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South). The Radnor Robins beat Llandrindod Wells Reserves 5-4 at Bryn-y-Castell after trailing 3-1 at half-time. Holdworth had given Knighton the lead with a screamer but two goals from Darren Murphy, one a penalty, and one from Kieran Davies had seemingly put Llandrindod in charge. But Knighton really turned it round in the second half with Holdsworth completing his treble while Dan Farmer and Sam Hoyle also netted before Paul Bishop scored Llandrindod’s second penalty of the game.

There were plenty of goals at Forest Road too where Hay St Marys Reserves played out a 5-5 thriller with Builth Wells Reserves. Hay had led 3-0 at one stage and then saw Harry Ratcliffe miss a last minute penalty which could have won it by which time they were down to ten men with Rhodri Jones having seen red. Jake Assirati, Fin Branson, Ratcliffe, Jones and an own goal made up the Hay tally with Ryan Powell completing a hat-trick for Builth whose other goalscorers were Daniel Walker and Michael Evans.

Brecon Northcote picked up a creditable point in a 1-1 draw with visiting Llanidloes Town Reserves. Lee Parkinson gave Northcote a half-time lead but Adam Nottingham levelled for The Daffs after the break.

There was another draw at The Bryn where St Harmon and Presteigne Reserves shared the points and six goals. Adam Martin drew first blood for The Swifts but his effort was cancelled out by Jack Brindley. Martin and Tom Lewis-Jones then put St Harmon 3-1 ahead but Presteigne showed their battling qualities with Brindley and Billy Hyett netting to leave it all square.

PIP SAMUEL (ELECTRICAL) MID WALES (SOUTH) LEAGUE CUP

Talgarth Town and Penybont are both through to the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup quarter finals. Talgarth pulled off an impressive 3-1 win at Newcastle with a hat-trick from Harry Sharman steering them through while Tom Bright netted a consolation for the Shropshire side.

Penybont edged a 3-2 verdict over Felindre whose performance was their best of the season. Alfie Stonefield had given Penybont the lead but two goals from Lyndon Bevan turned the tables against his former club. Scott Davies put Penybont back on level terms before Stonefield popped up with the winner.

ASPIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Radnor Valley are through to the semi-finals of the Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup following Sunday’s 3-1 home success over Talgarth Town. But the holders did not have it all their own way with Talgarth taking them to extra-times before falling to their first defeat of the term. Talgarth defended well and looked to catch Radnor on the break which they did as Harry Sharman gave them a first half lead. Elliot Williams equalised when he converted a Joey price cross on the hour. George Davies fired home from 20 yards via the bar in the first half of extra-time and Price outpaced the Talgarth defence to seal it for Radnor who will play away at Llandrindod Wells in the semi-finals in February.

Llandrindod eased through with Michael Collister bagging four goals in a 13-0 victory over Knighton Town. Collister showed his class with Daryl Nicholls bagging a hat-trick while Ashley Jones, Ben Jones, Declan Beddoes, Robbie Nicholls, Ryan Sims and Kieran McCarley also got in on the act.

Hay St Marys progressed following a 1-0 home win against Builth Wells on Tuesday night. The in-form Saints caused another cup upset with Liam McAnally grabbing the only goal in the first half.

Builth made the better start and Tom Bethell had a good chance but fired straight at Tom Bevan, in the Hay goal from a Josh Price cross. But it was Hay who scored when McAnally , on as an early substitute for another ex-Brecon Northcote man, Jack Evans, netted after combining with Greg Preece and Brendan Hackett.

Builth, who had goalkeeper, Chris Jones sent off in the closing minutes, felt they had their chances after that and hit the bar but Hay always looked dangerous on the counter through Preece and Matty Tong.

The Saints will now be at home against Llanidloes Town in the other semi-final after The Daffs progressed without kicking a ball, after Presteigne St Andrews conceded their midweek tie.

Presteigne are the third team to concede a tie this season and like Rhayader Town and St Harmon in the previous round, will face a £50 fine. The Aspidistra Rdnorshire Cup semi-final draw is:

Hay St Marys v Llanidloes Town, Llandrindod Wells v Radnor Valley

n See full round-up of how local teams fared in the JD Welsh Cup on Page 19