MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

There were defeats for both Llandrindod Wells and Radnor Valley in the MMP Mid Wales League first division on Saturday. Llandrindod knew they were in for a tough test away at title chasing Llanfair United where it ended 4-1 to the hosts. Gethin Stephens and Paul Griffiths had given Llanfair a two goal interval lead. Robbie Nicholls pulled one back for the Spa men midway through the second half but Josh Astley and Andrew Hughes won it for Llanfair who now trail leaders, Llanidloes Town by six points but have four games in hand.

Radnor Valley were beaten 3-0 at Welshpool where Wil Thomas almost single handedly downed The Goats. Thomas is the league’s leading marksman and he showed just why with yet another hat-trick. He opened the scoring when he lobbed Wil Fowden from Ricky Lichfield’s pass and capitalised on a defensive error to increase the lead by half-time. Thomas completed his hat-trick after the break with substitute, Alex Morgan the provider.

Radnor joint manager, Paul Morgan said: “We did have our moments and had a couple of penalty shouts turned down but we had no answer to the in-form Wil Thomas.”

Llanidloes Town’s title hopes were hanging in the balance following a damaging 3-0 defeat at Llansantffraid Village. The Daffs started brightly but the hosts defended well and took their chances with Wayne Austin netting twice along with Nathan Prodger.

Caersws and Berriew, like Llanfair, also closed the gap on the leaders. Berriew ground out a 1-0 home win against Bow Street thanks to a solitary strike from Richard Davies.

Caersws were 6-0 winners at bottom of the table Churchstoke with captain, Lance Jones leading the way with a hat-trick. Craig Harris, Jake Parr and Jojo Harris comleted the tally.

Carno made it four wins on the trot with Andy Evans (2) and Harry Holt scoring in a 3-2 win at Kerry who replied through a double from Ben Hendleman.

Tywyn Bryncug chalked up only their fourth league win of the term beating Aberaeron 3-1 at home. Nick Williams, Tom Allen Davies and Aled Jones shared the Tywyn goals with Llew Lloyd claiming a consolation for Aberaeron who travelled with a bare eleven.

MMP MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Hay St Marys suffered back to back defeats in the MMP Mid Wales League second division, going down 3-0 at Montgomery Town who all but clinched the title. The Saints were second best against a powerful Montgomery side looking jaded following their extra-time against Llanidloes in midweek. Hay trailed to a Tom Evans strike with just over half an hour played but themselves felt they should have had an equaliser when Matty Tong burst past two defenders but his effort was ruled out for off-side. Montgomery scored twice more in the second half and it could have been more but for ‘keeper, Tom Bevan, Hay’s best player on the day, who made some fine saves.

Presteigne St Andrews made it back to back wins with a 3-2 home success over Borth United. Jamie Davies gave Presteigne the lead weaving his way through the visiting defence to slot home. Borth ‘keeper, Ben Willis pulled off a couple of good saves and that one goal separated the teams at the break. Josh Griffiths added a second for Presteigne with a superb 25 yard free-kick and Keanu Barnett stabbed home a corner at the far post to make it three. But if Presteigne thought that was game over they were mistaken as Borth rallied with Josh Evans and Bryn Oliver setting up a nervy final few minutes.

Dolgellau beat Aberystwyth University 2-0 on Friday night in a game played at Park Avenue thanks to goals from Dion Jones and Owain Williams.

ER JENKINS DIVISION 2 CUP

Newbridge will host local rivals, Rhayader Town in the MMP Mid Wales League (ER Jenkins) Division Two Cup after both triumphed on the week-end. Newbridge beat Waterloo Rovers 3-1 at home while Rhayader required penalties to see off Machynlleth after they were locked together at 2-2 after extra-time.

Newbridge coach, Scott Davies had asked his players for a response following their 6-1 home defeat against Presteigne the previous week and he got it. Waterloo took the lead through Andrew Gwilt but a change in formation saw Newbridge take control. Dave Thomas levelled the scores, Ollie Woods put The Villagers ahead and Lyndon Jones sealed victory scoring direct from a corner.

Rhayader had looked comfortable in the first half of their tie against Machynlleth with Aaron Bates giving them the lead from a free-kick. The Red Kites went further in front with topscorer, Jamie Evans slotting home in the second half. A defensive mix-up between Dan Goodman and ‘keeper, Liam Addison resulted in a penalty for Machynlleth whose Andrew Page made no mistake. More poor defending allowed Sion Williams to grab an equaliser for the visitors. Jamie Evans and Taylor Wozencraft both hit the bar for Rhayader but it went to penalties where Town were spot on. Wozencraft, Michael Fowlie, Joe Wozencraft, Mark Davie and Aaron Bates all held their nerve while Addison saved Machynlleth’s fourth spot-kick.

In the other semi-final, Four Crosses will face Abermule, Crosses were handed a walkover with Aberystwyth University unable to raise a team while Abermule won 2-1 at Dyffryn Banw with goals from Jack Weaver and Ricky Davies. Alun Williams got the Banw goal.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Llanidloes Town Reserves made it ten league wins in a row with a 2-0 home success over Llandrindod Wells Reserves. Rhys Evans netted both goals for The Daffs who move level on points with leaders, Talgarth Town who however have four games in hand.

Newcastle kept themselves in the hunt for honours with Mark Jones and Ed Bennett-Jones each scoring twice in a 6-1 home verdict over Brecon Northcote. Jimmy Thomas and Carl Price were also on target with Louis Pritchard claiming Northcote’s consolation.

Elsewhere Knighton Town’s last home game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw with Penybont. Scott Davies had given the visitors a first half lead but Penybont, who travelled with a bare eleven which included coach, Phill Davies, had to dig deep after Matty Becker equalised ten minutes from time.

ASIDISTRA RADNORSHIRE CUP

Radnor Valley now know they will face Llanidloes Town in this season’s Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup Final on Easter Sunday. The Daffs booked their ticket by beating Hay St Marys on penalties last Tuesday night. It was 1-1 at the end of extra-time in what was a cracking cup-tie before Llanidloes won 4-2 in a penalty shoot out.

Topscorer, Jack Biggs had given Hay a first half lead from Brendan Hackett’s cross but The Saints were gutted to concede an equaliser with just four minutes to go with Gareth Owen netting from Edward Clarke’s cross cum shot. Extra-time continued to be end to end but neither side was able to break the deadlock and Llanidloes scored all their penalties through Gregg Brown, Matthew Savage, Peter Rees and ‘keeper, Kris Williams while Brendan Hackett saw his spot-kick saved and Jack Evans fired wide for Hay.

CENTRAL WALES CUP

Talgarth Town bowed out of the Central Wales Cup Sunday but the Mid Wales (South) League leaders can be proud of their performance. Talgarth lost 2-0 at Huws Gray Alliance side, Llanrhaeadr who scored both goals in the first half through Gus Harris and Khyam Wytton.

Llanrhaeadr will now host Builth Wells in the quarter finals.The full Central Wales Cup quarter final draw is: Berriew v Bow Street, Four Crosses v Llanidloes Town, Llanrhaeadr v Builth Wells, Radnor Valley v Carno