CENTRAL WALES CUP

Radnor Valley pulled off one of their best ever results last Wednesday night with victory at Guilsfield in the Central Wales Challenge Cup. The Goats progressed to the third round by beating their Huws Gray Alliance opponents 4-2 on penalties after the sides were locked together at 1-1 after extra-time.

Wil Fowden emerged as the Radnor hero saving two of Guilsfield’s first three spot-kicks but it was a heroic all round performance with Radnor missing Joey Price, Matt Croose, Elliot Williams, Callum Davies and Liam Jones.

Guilsfield had gone ahead in the first half but Radnor were level soon after half-time with Geraint Lloyd forcing the ball home after Callum Matthews’ 30-yard strike had hit the bar. Radnor spent much of extra-time defending but Fowden produced some smart saves while they threw bodies on the line. And that defensive display was enough to send the tie to the shoot lout when Adam Farmer, Elliot Morris, Ieuan Price and Geraint Lloyd were all on target from the spot.

Rhayader Town found the gulf between MMP Mid Wales League Division 2 and the Alliance too much but gave Llanrhaeadr a real fright before going down 4-2 at home. The Red Kites had led 2-1 at half-time after a brilliant forty-five minutes. Taylor Wozencraft set Jamie Evans up for his 18th goal of the term and then Joe Wozencraft netted from a cross field pass from Aaron Bates. Llanrhaeadr scored three time in the second half, one a massive deflection from a free-kick and another when the freezing pitch meant Rhayader struggled to clear their lines. While all this was going on, Rhayader had looked dangerous in attack but were unable to find another goal themselves. Kyham Wytton, Iwan Matthews, player-manager, Marc Griffiths and Dan Graham shared the goals for Llanrhaeadr who knew they had been in a real tussle.

Radnor’s reward for their win at Guilsfield is an a home tie with Caersws in Round Three. Talgarth Town have to travel to Llanrhaeadr while Builth Wells and Hay St Marys clash on The Lant Field. The full Central Wales Cup 3rd Round draw is:-

Abermule v Bow Street, Berriew v Tywyn Bryncrug, Builth Wells v Hay St Marys, Kerry v Carno, Llanfair United v Llanidloes Town, Llanrhaeadr v Tagarth Town, Radnor Valley v Caersws, Welshpool Town v Four Crosses

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Llandrindod Wells are in the top six in the MMP Mid Wales League first division for the first time this season following a 3-0 home win against bottom of the table,Churchstoke. The Spa men bounced back from their Central Wales Cup defeat against Builth the previous week and in reality the margin of victory could have been more. Llandrindod dominated the first half without making the most of their possession. Stuart Williams fired over from close range and Robbie Nicholls hit the post from the edge of the box. It took an own goal to break the deadlock when a Churchstoke defender failed to deal with a cross. After the break Llandrindood created a lot more but Michael Collister, Williams and Ashley Jones all failed to beat the impressive visiting ’keeper. Nicholls settle any nerves with a second goal on the hour before Ashley Jones completed the win.

Builth Wells continued their recent unbeaten run by holding title-chasing Caersws to a goalless draw on The Lant Field. Manager, Dylan McPhee had fancied his side’s chances of getting a result and The Bulls did just that in a physical encounter. McPhee felt Builth were the better side over the 90 minutes showing just how far they have come since the start of the season. Caersws ‘keeper, Luke Evans saved from Tom Bethell and Richie Powell in the first half but the best chance of the game fell to Rhydian Davies who fired wide for The Bluebirds with 15 to go.

Dropped points by Caersws saw Llanidloes Town extend their lead at the top as The Daffs won 3-1 in their local derby against Carno. After a goalless first half, Daniel Lewis put Carno in front but Llanidloes replied through Ashley Owen, George Clarke and Connor Bird.

Welshpool Town remain fourth after coming from a goal down to beat Llansantffraid Village 4-1 at home. The visitors held an interval lead but Welshpool hit back with a hat-trick from Ricky Lichfield and a further strike from Wil Thomas, the league’s leading marksman.

Llanfair United, with games in hand on all their rivals, were 4-2 winners at Tywyn Bryncrug with Josh Astley netting twice. Ryan McVeagh and Ben Jones were also on target with Cullen Rodgers and an own goal making up the Tywyn score.

Matt Mumford headed a late equaliser for Kerry who drew 4-4 at Aberaeron. Max McLaughlin (2) and Ben Davies got the earlier Kerry goals with Ifan Burrell (2), Elwyn Edwards and James Hemming netting for Aberaeron.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Newbridge put themselves back in title contention in MMP Mid Wales League Division 2 with a 3-2 victory at Abermule. Having lost to the same opponents in the Central Wales Cup the previous week, Newbridge were confident of reversing that result as thy welcomed back five players. The Villagers were poor in the first half and were fortunate only to be trailing 1-0 at the break with goalkeeper, Fin Duncan McKane making some fine saves. But whatever was said at half-time did the trick and by the hour mark, Newbridge were leading through Jake Bufton and Dave Thomas. Abermule drew level but Ollie Woods got the crucial third goal for Newbridge who managed to see out the remainder of the game.

Hay St Marys’ title hopes were dented a blow as they could only manage a 3-3 draw at lowly Presteigne. And they three times had to come from behind as a rejuvenated Presteigne turned in a much improved performance with the return of Matt Venableas and Jordan Cooper. Tom Crichton, Tom Lewis and Neil Walmsey had netted for Presteigne who handed a debut to Josh Griffiths. Adi Lawford and Jack Biggs scored for Hay to make it 3-2 at half-time and Biggs levelled he scores early in the second half. Both sides had chances to have won it with Hay looking the more likely in the final ten minutes after Presteigne lost Walmsley to a hamstring injury having already used their three substitutes.

Rhayader’s hopes of a top two finish virtually disappeared following a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Waterloo Rovers. Again it was a tale of two halves from the Weirglodd side who, with so many youngsters are struggling for consistency.

Rhayader impressed in the first half and a super strike from topscorer, Jamie Evans put them ahead. A fine passage of play then saw Taylor Wozencraft set Michael Fowlie up for a second. The home side were cruising at this stage but a disastrous second half when they gifted Rovers three goals to leave The Red Kites empty handed.

Montgomery continue to set the pace and won 5-1 at Borth United – a ninth straight win for the league leaders. Jack Williams and Robbie Hartshorn put Montgomery two up but James Davies reduced the deficit from the penalty spot just before half-time. Tom Evans restored the two goal advantage in the second half when further goals from Hartshorn and Charlie Jellett sealed the win.

Dolgellau eased to a 5-1 home verdict over Machynlleth thanks to a hat-trick from Charlie Owen and further goals from Owain Williams and David Edwards.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Talgarth Town continued their pursuit of the Watson Financial Mid Wales (South) League title with a 6-0 home success over Knighton Town. The Royals forged a two-goal interval lead with Steve Potter heading home from a Gavin Perry corner before Joel Weals played Harry Sharman in for a second. Talgarth, who have yet to drop a point, continued to dominate after the break Sharman completed his hat-trick with two fine strikes. Jordan Harvey robbed a defender to extend the lead and veteran Scott Powell rounded it all off, prodding in from close range following a corner.

Llanidloes Town Reserves remain top after coming from two down to triumph 3-2 at Penybont United. The Daffs have now won eight in a row and head Talgarth by a point but have played four more games than their rivals. Two goals from former Newbridge midfielder, Alfie Stonefield had put Penybont in con troll but they were hampered by an injury to the influential Rob Hughes. Llanidloes took advantage with Rhys Evans netting either side of half-time before Gregg Brown grabbed their winner.

Hay St Marys Reserves were celebrating only their third league win of the term as they defeated St Harmon 2-1 at Forest Road. St Harmon, who themselves have not won since the opening day of the term, took the lead through topscorer, Adam Martin but Fin Branson and Noah Cripps turned it round for The Saints.

Llandrindod Wells Reserves were unable to raise a side for their scheduled trip to Newcastle and will face a there point deduction for the League Executive Committee.

CENTRAL WALES CUP

Radnor Valley’s reward for their famous Central Wales Cup victory at Guilsfield is a difficult home tie against MMP Mid Wales League first division rivals, Caersws in the 3rd Round. Talgarth Town have to travel to Llanrhaeadr, the one remaining team from the Huws Gray Alliance in the competition, while at least one local team is certain to be in the quarter finals with Builth Wells and Hay St Marys clashing on The Lant Field. Builth wil be delighted to have been drawn at home as they have played away in every other Cup tie so far this season and it also gives them the opportunity to avenge a Radnorshiore Cup defeat at Hay back in October.

The full Central Wales Challenge Cup 3rd Roudn draw reads:-

Abermule v Bow Street, Berriew v Tywyn Bryncrug, Builth Weklls v Hay St Mays, Kerry v Carno, Llanfair Uited v Llanidloes Town, Llanrhaeadr v Talgarth Town, Radnor Valley v Caersws, Welshpool Town v Four Crosses

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE

Berriew’s David Jones has been named the MMP Mid Wales League Division One Manager of the Month for December. Jones, who also picked up the award in November, led the Rhiewsiders to wins against Llanidloes Town, Kerry and Churchstoke and draws at Radnor Valley and Caersws to emerge as genuine title contenders going into The New Year. Aberaeron’s Chris Wilkins is the first division Player-of-the-Month.

In Division Two, Montgomery Town swept the board with Luke Williams Manager of the Month and Tom Evans Player of the Month. Montgomery recorded four straight league wins in December and head the table by five points from second placed Waterloo Rovers. Hay St Marys, who are third, have three games in hand and are eight points behind the leaders.