MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Radnor Valley moved to within a point of Caersws at the top of the MMP Mid Wales League first division with a 2-1 win at Aberaeron. With the leaders having slipped up on Friday night, The Goats took full advantage thanks to two goals from Joey Price. But it was far from easy with goalkeeper, Wil Fowden Radnor’s man of the match with a string of fine saves throughout the game. Playing into the wind, Radnor held a 1-0 interval advantage with Price braking clear to fire the opener. Aberaeron were reduced to ten men on the hour but upped their game and grabbed an equaliser. But Price, who was twice denied by a last ditch tackle and a goal line clearance won it for Radnor when he coolly slotted away his second of the game.

It was a good day for the local teams in Division One with Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells both picking up three points. Builth made it four league wins in a row with a comfortable 5-1 home success over bottom of the table, Churchstoke. Chris Roff headed The Bulls in front from Tom Bethell’s corner but the visitors levelled through Jake O’Donnell. Josh Price restored Builth’s lead and Bethell fired a free-kick into the top corner to make it 3-1 at the break. Richie Powell extended the lead in the second half before Bethell grabbed his second when through one on one as Builth won at a canter.

Llandrindod made the long trip to Tywyn Bryncrug and returned home with a 4-0 win under their belts. Michael Collister netted twice and Shaun Nicholls and Ryan Sims were also on target as the Spa side recorded their first away win in the league. Defender, Shaun Nicolls opened the scoring when he broke down the right and fired in a shot which the Tywyn ‘keeper parried into his own net. Collister hit the bar and chances fell to player-manager, Gareth Jones and Ashley Jones but it remained 1-0 at half-time. Two early second half goals ended the match as a contest with Collister heading home crosses from first Kieran McCarley and then Ashley Jones. Ryan Sims completd the win, nipping in to score after Collister’s effort was fumbled by the Tywyn ‘keeper.

Leaders, Caersws slippd to only their second league defeat of the season, beaten 4-2 at home by Welshpool Town and it was a former Bluebird who did the damage. Wil Thomas, who earlier in the week was named MMP Division One Player-of-the-Month for October, bagged a hat-trick to sink his former team mates. Josh Morgan also netted for Welshpool with Ash Harries and Elliot Jones on target for Caersws with all the goals coming in the second half.

Llanidloes Town, like Radnor Valley closed in on the leaders with a 1-0 win at Kerry, George Clarke bagging the all important goal on the stroke of half-time and Berriew stay in sight of the top three with a big 7-1 win at Llansantffraid Village. There were two goals each for Joe Haycock and Steffan Rogers with Richard Davies, George MItten and Charlie Humphreys completing the spree.

Llanfair United, with games in hand on those above them, beat Carno 3-0 at home thanks to a hat-trick from the in-form, Karl Seliaerts whose second gaol was from the penalty spot.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Presteigne St Andrews had collected three much needed MMP Mid Wales League Division Two points last Tuesday night in a 4-3 home success over the students of Aberystwyth University. The East Radnor side had forged a 3-0 interval lead through Tom Crichton, Jordan Cooper and Tom Lewis. The University team scored twice through Jamie Stuart and Kieran Jones to reduce the deficit but Sam Roberts netted an important fourth for Presteigne. The students completed the night’s scoring with a goal from Jamie Watts but Presteigne stood firm to make it back to back home wins in the league.

In the only Division Two game played on Saturday, Waterloo Rovers edged a 1-0 win at Four Crosses. Tom Ellis grabbed the all important goal for Rovers who had Luke Evans sent off.

ER JENKINS DIVISION 2 CUP

Rhayader Town are through to the quarter finals of the ER Jenkins MMP Mid Wales League Division Two Cup following a 3-1 victory at Radnorshire rivals, Presteigne. It was a game of two halves with Presteigne having led at half-time through Tom Crichton before Rhayader stormed back. Two goals from the on-fire Jamie Evans and a first Rhayader goal fror Jack Bright saw The Red Kites through after several spurned chances from Gareth Hughes, Cameron Mills and Michael Fowlie. Presteigne, without several players due to injury lost Crichton to another injury and this blunted their attack as he had caused Rhayader problems in the first half.

Newbridge are also through after an excellent 2-1 home success over Montgomery Town. Having lost 6-0 at Montgomery in a league fixture early the season, The Villagers, who handed a debut to 16 year-old, Aled Rees, gained some revenge with second half goals from man of the match, Ed Hammond and topscorer, Ollie Woods before Montgomery pulled one back to make life interesting.

Hay St Marys surprisingly bowed out of the Cup beaten on penalties at home by Abermule after the sides were locked together at 3-3 after extra-time. Jack Weaver had given the visitors the lead but Callum Maddy headed an equaliser from a corner for The Saints. Weaver struck again for Abermule but after having an effort ruled out for off-side, Jack Biggs headed Hay back on terms for a second time from another corner. Brendan Hackett set Biggs up for his second of the tie as Hay took the lead for the first time in extra-time but Nick Mumby netted Abermule’s third to force a shoot out in which Abermule triumphed 4-2.

There was penalty drama too at Dyffryn Banw where the hosts went through 9-8 on spot-kicks after it ended 2-2 while Machynlleth beat Borth United 4-1

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

There is no stopping Talgarth Town at the top of the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) and The Royals halted Knighton Town’s recent revival with a 6-0 win at Bryn-y-Castell. Good work by Harry Sharman down the right allowed Craig Jones the opportunity to give Talgarth an interval lead. Sharman then took centre stage after the break firing a hat-trick to all but seal the points. Alex Simmonds extended the lead following a good run and finish before setting up Craig Jones for his second against a Knighton side missing a couple of their more experienced players.

Newcastle remain five points behind Talgarth with a game in hand after Mark Jones netted four times in their 5-2 success at Llandrindod Wells Reserves. Player-manager, Craig Morris opened the scoring and Jones struck twice before half-time for the Shropshire side. The former Builth Wells and Knighton Town striker completed his hat-trick in the second half before Paul Bishop missed a penalty for Llandrindod. The Spa were awarded another spot-kick and Bishop this time converted but Jones completed his four goal salvo for Newcastle before BIshop scored his second for Llandrindod.

Penybont remain in the hunt for honours after a vital 5-3 home win over Builth Wells Reserves who were unbeaten in seven prior to Saturday. There were two goals each for Scott Davies and Phil Ruell with Elliot Watkins also on target for Penybont while Daniel Walker, Brad Rollinson and Joel Metcalf kept Builth in contention.

Llanidloes Tow Reserves returned to winning ways in style with a 12-1 thrashing of Hay St Marys Reserves. Rhys D Evans led the way with a five goal haul while the other Rhys Evans scored twice. David Jarman, Adan Nottingham, Mason Jones, Kai Evans and an own goal completed the tally with Kyle Harding gaining a consolation for The Saints.

Meanwhile Felindre were celebrating their first point of the season after a 1-1 draw at home against Presteigne Reserves. Debutant, Mark Roberts had given Felindre the lead but Tom Lewis levelled for Presteigne two minutes later after which both sides had chances to have won it although Presteigne played the second half with ten men after Jon Bright was set off for a second yellow card the stroke f half-time.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE AWARDS

Dylan McPhee of Builth Wells has been named the MMP Mid Wales League first division Manager of the Month for October after guiding The Bulls to league wins against Tywyn Bryncrug and Kerry. Builth also progressed in the league Cup with victory at arch rivals, Newbridge.

Welshpool Town’s Wil Thomas is first division Player-of-the-Month after the striker netted five times against both Churchstoke and Tywyn Bryncrug and also bagged a hat-trick in the League Cup against Waterloo Rovers. In Division Two, the awards have both come to Brecon and Radnor. Hay St Marys’ Gareth Jenkins is Manager of the Month with Aeron Powell, the Newbridge captain, the Player of the Month. Hay and Newbridge currently occupy the top two spots in Division Two.