MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Llandrindod Wells were the only local side to pick up a point on Saturday in the MMP Mid Wales League first division playing out a goalless draw at third placed Llanidloes Town.

It was a battling performance from the Spa men who might easily have nicked all three points in the closing stages.

Llanidloes edged the first half applying quite a bit of pressure and former Knighton Town player-manager, Adam Worton fired over following a corner but defences generally held the upper hand. The second half was more even with Llandrindod finishing the stronger. Gareth Owen hit the post for The Daffs while Kieran McCarley did likewise for Llandrindod with a defemected free-kick. The best chance however fell to Michael Collister late on but he headed over from close range after player-manager, Gareth Jones headed McCarley free-kick back across goal.

Radnor Valley blew the chance to go top of the table slipping to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of lowly Bow Street. The visitors, who had previously won just once in the league opened a two goal lead through Owen Roberts-Young and Tom Wyn. Radnor looked better after the break following some harsh half-time words and a change in formation saw them create chances. Ieaun Price pulled one back with a header from a corner and Radnor levelled when a quick free-kick from Price saw Craig Pigott time his run to finish from a tight angle. But as Radnor pressed for a winner, they were hit on the counter attack and Tom Williams netted Bow Street’s crucial third although The Goats still had chances forcing a couple of late corners while Joey Price went close.

Builth Wells saw their four match winning run halted after going down 2-0 at Aberaeron. Manager, Dylan McPhee felt it was a decent performance from Builth and it might have been a different story had they scored when on top in the first half. The Bulls failed to test the home ‘keeper although chances fell to Josh Price and Richie Powell while Danny Ives headed over. Sam Williams failed to score in a one on one after the break before Dan James headed Aberaeron on front from a free-kick. And as Builth pushed for an equaliser, The Seasiders sealed the points with a second from Ifan Burrell on the break.

Elsewhere there were wins for Carno and Welshpool Town whose striker, Wil Thomas is really on fire. Thomas netted four times in Welshpool’s 5-2 win at Kerry with Josh Morgan also on target while Matt Mumford and max McLaughlin replied for Kerry.

Carno beat bottom of the table, Churchstoke 4-1 with goals from Callum Page, Andy Evans, Josh Matthews and Geraint Jones.

In the one game played in Division Two, Waterloo Rovers continued their climb up the league tale with Charlie Proctor scoring twice in a 2-1 home win over Montgomery Town who replied through Sam Williams.

CENTRAL WALES CHALLENGE CUP

Rhayader Town pulled off one of the best results of the day in the Central Wales Cup with a 2-1 victory at Aberystwyth & District League first division leaders leaders, Penparcau. With a host of former MMP Mid Wales League first division players in their ranks it was always going to be a tough assignment for The Red Kites and Penparcau is an intimidating venue. But this young Rhayader side stood up to be counted and progressed thanks to two goals from topscorer, Jamie Evans.

A poor first half showing from Rhayader saw Penparcau take an interval lead with Mattie Davies netting after Mark Gornall split the visitors defence. A change in formation for the second half reaped its rewards and within a minute of the restart, some individual brilliance from Jamie Evans saw the striker equalise with a powerful strike. Evans headed in a Michael Fowlie cross at the far post to put Rhayader in front and they held out despite a few jittery moments near the end.

Newbridge, Hay St Marys and Talgarth Town are also safely though with Newbridge maintaining their recent form although they needed penalties to go through at Dyffryn Banw where it ended 1-1 after extra-time. On a difficult playing surface, Newbridge were in control for much of the time but a big band side defended well and took the lead through Richard Williams from a set piece. Captain Aeron Powell got off the substitute’s bench to net an equaliser and that was it until the penalty shoot out when Newbridge triumphed 6-5. Goalkeeper, Fin Duncan McKaine emerged as their hero saving four of Banw’s spot-kicks and scoring himself.

Hay St Marys are through following a 5-1 victory at Presteigne St Andrews on Friday night with Greg Preece netting twice. Presteigne had taken the lead with Jordan Griffiths heading home inside the first minute but The Saints led 2-1 at half-time and rattled in three unanswered second half goals as conditions deteriorated. Jack Evans and Greg Preece turned things around and then in the second half, another from Preece, Jack Biggs and an own goal completed the tally.

Talgarth are in Round Three after being handed a walkover witn Newcastle Emlyn failing to raise a team for their scheduled tie.

Four Crosses defeated Llanymynech 4-0 with goals from Ben Simms, Joe Clarke, Jamie Evans and Gareth Jones while Llanilar caused an upset with a 3-2 verdict at Borth United courtesy of Guto Roberts (2) and Ryan Edwards.

Llansantffraid Village were the only side from the MMP Mid Wales League first division to play in Round Two and they edged past Aberystwyth University 3-2 thanks to Tom Gayle, Rob Carruthers and Tom Ring while Llandysul knocked out Dolgellau 2-0 with strikes from Harry Wilson and Ifan Mason-Evans.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Nick Younger and Kyle O’Shea each netted twice as Brecon Northcote notched only their second win of the season in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a 4-3 home success over Builth weklls Reserves.

Northcote had forged a three goal lead through Younger (2) and O’Shea before Builth stormed back with goals from Jack Hughes, Shane Claridge and Ryan Powell. But that fightback was halted as O’Shea won it for Northcote from the penalty spot before later seeing red for a bad challenge.

Knighton Town, like Northcote, have been forced to rebuild and made it three wins out of their last four in the league with a 4-2 derby success over Felindre on Friday night. James Reynolds gave Felindre supporters plenty of cheer giving the visitors the lead with a long range effort. Owen Holdsworth equalised and Lucak Kirkby gave Knighton the lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. Sam Hoyle and Liam Davies added further foals for The Radnor Robins in the second half before Reynolds got his second of the night when he curled in a free-kick.

Penybont moved into second spot in the table with a 5-1 win against Hay St Marys Reserves. With Talgarth Town and Newcastle having no league games, Penybotn cashed in with Phil Ruell leading the way with a hat-trick.

PIP SAMUEL ELECTRICAL MID WALES (SOUTH) LEAGUE CUP

Llandrindod Wells booked the last place in the quarter finals of the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup by coming from behind to triumph 4-2 at St Harmon with Paul Bishop bagging a hat-trick.

St Harmon had looked likely to progress at half-time after two goals from topscorer, Adam Martin had them in control. Martin Rowan reduced the deficit with an unstoppable strike and Bishop forced the tie to extra-time where he went on to complete his treble and book an away tie at Talgarth Town in the last eight.

The full Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup quarter final draw with ties to be played in the New Year is:

Builth Wells Res v Llanidloes Town Res

Penybont United v Brecon Northcote

Presteigne Res v Hay St Marys Res

Talgarth Town v Llandrindod Wells