SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Ieuan Price popped up with the only goal as Radnor Valley claimed a Spar Mid Wales League first division double over Llandrindod Wells with a 1-0 win on The Broadway. Joey Price often makes the headlines for Radnor but in the absence of their topscorer, it was younger brother, Ieuan who stepped up to the plate scoring from close range six minutes into the second half. Llandrindod were disappointed as they had sufficient chances to have gained something with manager, Pete Williams saying: “We have to improve in front of goal.”

Knighton Town continued their climb up the table with an impressive 7-1 victory at Borth United with a Connor Bird hat-trick leading the way for the free scoring Robins. Bird gave Knighton an early lead which was doubled by Adam Farmer before half-time. Both players struck again after the break before Clive Morgan pulled one back for Borth. Bird, the leading goalscorer in Spar One, then completed his hat-trick following a mix-up in the home defence. Bird went off inured leaving Knighton to play the final minutes a man short but it made no difference as Sam Williams netted twice to complete a good day at the office.

Welshpool Town went top of the table with a 7-0 win at Machynlleth and have already amassed more points than through the whole of last season. Ricky Lichfield and Ian Probert both completed hat-trticks with Adam Davies also on target.

Tywyn Bryncrug won 5-3 at Kerry where a hat-trick from Max McLaughlin was not enough to save the hosts from a third straight league defeat. Tywyn had a hat-trick man themselves in Mark Edmondson with Aled Jones and Tom Alan Davies also netting as they forged a three goal lead before McLaughlin levelled matters.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Presteigne St Andrews made it three straight wins in the Spar Mid Wales League second division with a 2-1 home success over Hay St Marys on Friday night. Shaun Harris’ side are up to second in the table after midfielder, Jack Biggs grabbed a late winner to sink his former club. Euan Rhodes had given Presteigne the lead in a game of few chances but Adi Lawford levelled for Hay on the hour. The Saints were hampered by an injury to the influential Chris Preece and it was Presteigne who got the winner twelve minutes from time with Biggs netting with a fine strike.

Presteigne had come from behind to defeat the students of Aberystwyth University 2-1 last Tuesday night. Despite enjoying the better of the first half, Presteigne trailed at the break with Owain Ap Gareth having handed the visitors the lead following a defensive error. Jack Biggs headed Presteigne level from Euan Rhodes’ second half corner and Matt Strangwood latched on to a through ball to fire a late winner. Both sides were full of praise for young referee, Tom Childs for his handling of the game.

Builth Wells are four points clear at the top after maintaining their unbeaten start to the term with a 2-0 verdict at Dolgellau. Six wins and a draw from their opening seven games has meant a great stat for Builth whose goals on Saturday came from Richie Powell and Johnny Samuel, both in the second half.

Newbridge ran out 5-1 winners over Penybont who made a real fight of it in a first half which ended 1-1. Aeron Powell netted from long range to put The Villagers ahead but Alfie Roberts equalised just before half-time. Newbridge atarted the second half strongly and goals from Alfie Stonefield and Jake Bufton, against his former club, put them in the driving seat. And there was no way back for a battling Penybont with Aled Jones and Bufton, with his second, adding further scores.

Llansantffraid Village are emerging as genuine title contenders and like Builth Wells remain unbeaten in the league following a 6-1 win at Brecon Northcote. Brecon had won their previous two games but found Llansantffraid a class above. Brian Keddle netted with a free-kick for Northcote but it was downhill from there with Nathan Prodger (2), Baile Austin (2), Wayne Austin and Calum Williams netting for Llansantffraid while Joel Evans missed a second half penalty for Northcote.

Talgarth Town paid the price for a slow start at Aberystwyth University were they fell to a 4-1 defeat. It was always going to be a mountain to climb after the students rattled in four goals in the opening twenty minutes through George Talyor (2), Tristan Harris and Liam Powell. Rob Evans headed oen back for Talgarth before hal;f-time and there were no goals after the break.

In the day’s other Division Two game, Montgomery and Dyffryn Banw played out a 2-2 draw. Robbie Harthorne gave Montgomery the lead but Banw hit back through Tom Foulkes and Alun Williams only to see it end all square thanks to a Jamie Huxley own goal.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)/JD WELSH CUP

Local hopes in the JD Welsh Cup disappeared at the week-end as Rhayader Town made a first round 3-1 exit at Welsh League side, Cwmamman United. Travelling without the experienced Gareth Hughes, Mattie Lewis and Marc Wozencraft, it was always going to be difficult for The Red Kites, the only Brecon and Radnor side to make it through the qualifying rounds, but they turned in a display full of character. Trailing 3-0 at the break, Rhayader could have folded but stuck to their task with Michael Fowlie pulling one back with a penalty following a foul on Jamie Evans.

Rhayader had gone top of the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) last Wednesday night with a 2-0 home win against local rivals, St Harmon. Michael Fowlie gave The Red Kites an early lead and Gareth Hughes added a second before half-time. Rhayader continued to hold the upper hand in the second half and hit the post and bar while St Harmon ‘keeper, Barry Evans was also in inspired form to keep the score down

Tom Crichton bagged a hat-trick as Presteigne Reserves moved third in the table with a 5-1 home win against Brecon Northcote Reserves. Jordan Ingram had given Northcote the lead but Presteigne stormed back with Tom Lewis and Duanne Anning also netting to make it three wins in a row.

Newcastle themselves could have gone third but were held to a 2-2 draw in the border derby against Knighton Tow Reserves. Carl Price and Matthew Jones had seemingly put the Shropshire side on course for three points but Knighton rallied with late goals from Billy Hyett and Jack Brindley.

In the day’s other league game, Llandrindod Wells Reserves picked up their first points with a 3-2 victory at fellow strugglers, Felindre. Charlie Vermiere, Martin Rowan and Scott Oxford netted for the Spa men who had Mark Truelove sent off with Charlie Reynolds and Luke Morgan replying.