Llanelli Town moved three points clear at the top of Division One after an entertaining 5-3 win over Cwmbran Celtic at Stebonheath Park.
Captain Joe Clarke was the hero for The Reds scoring a hat-trick. James Loveridge and a 25-yard screamer from Kurtis Marsh completed the scoring for Andy Hill’s outfit. Chris Ham, Callum Wakeham and Owen Cook were on the scoresheet for the Gwent side who more than played their part in the match.
Below Llanelli Town neither Penybont nor Haverfordwest County were in action this weekend. Afan Lido’s 1-0 defeat at Cwmamman United all but ends any hopes the Aberavon club may have retained of winning the Welsh League this season. Cwmamman United’s win means they are now just two points behind Monmouth Town with four games in hand as they look to climb out of the Division One relegation places. Since taking on the job last month Eirian Rees has presided over three consecutive wins for the Grenig Park club.
Goytre’s post-New Year slide continued this week. In midweek they were crushed 10-0 at Plough Road by Cwmbran Celtic (ending their 100% home record this season) and there was more misery on Saturday as a late goal from player-manager Cortez Belle saw a young Port Talbot Town side claim a 1-0 win.
Elsewhere, Nana Baah enjoyed a winning return to Cwrt-Yr-Ala as Taffs Well dealt Caerau Ely’s surivival bid a blow, running out 3-0 winners. Sam O’Sullivan and James Driscoll were among the goalscorers for The Wellmen who had former Penybont and Pontypridd Town forward Ellis Bellamy in their starting line-up. Undy Athletic continued their recent run of good form with a 2-0 home win over Goytre United.
In Division Two, STM Sports won 5-0 at Aberbargoed Buds. Lamin Conteh scoring twice, there were also goals for Ben Ahmun, Joel Queni and Josh Graham. Below them Pontypridd Town could only manage a goalless draw at Abergavenny Town, which means STM’s lead at the top extends to seven points.
Llantwit Major joined Pontypridd Town on 40 points and moved into the top 3 with a 3-0 home win over AFC Llwydcoed. Anthony Rawlings continued his recent hot streak in front of goal with a double. Both Pontypridd and Llantwit Major have four games in hand over STM Sports.
Ammanford continued their pursuit of a top 3 finish with a 2-1 win at Caldicot Town thanks to a Richard Lewis double. Risca United’s faint hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against struggling West End. Garden Village may yet remain contenders, they thrashed bottom club AFC Porth 4-1 at Stafford Common; Scott Smith bagging a hat-trick.
The big game at the bottom saw Dinas Powys defeat Aberdare Town 3-0 at The Murch. Ben Luck’s side are still six points adrift of safety and have a difficult looking run-in, but with five games at home, there may be some belief that a great escape is on.
There were just four fixtures played in Division Three over the weekend. Leaders Swansea University took advantage of Trefelin BGC having no game to move seven points clear with a 3-1 home win over Tredegar Town.
On Friday night Bridgend Street were 2-0 winners at Ely Rangers to consolidate their grip on third place, while Ely Rangers’ plight deepens and they are now eight points adrift of guaranteed safety. Ynysygerwn eased their own relegation concerns by defeating Neuadd Wen 2-0 at Llandarcy. Neuadd Wen, like Ely Rangers, have to try and make up an eight-point gap to guarantee to avoid relegation out of the Welsh League. However, with just a solitary league win to their name all season it is going to take a remarkable turnaround in form for the Welsh League debutants.
The other fixture in Division Three saw Pontyclun and Treharris Athletic Western share the spoils following a 2-2 draw at Ivor Park.
Midweek Action
There are a number of midweek matches across all three divisions that carry ramifications at both ends of the tables.
The big game is without any doubt the clash between the two realistic contenders for the Welsh League title when Llanelli Town entertain Haverfordwest County at Stebonheath Park on Tuesday night (7.30pm). As well as being a potential title decider, it could also prove to be a Welsh Premier League promotion play-off.
Cwmamman United continue their battle to avoid the drop from Division One when they travel to Old Road to face another of Division One’s improving sides in Briton Ferry Llansawel (Tuesday, 7.30pm).
There is plenty of midweek Division Three action. On Tuesday night Ynysygerwn entertain Panteg (7.30pm), while Caerau and Newport City will try again to play their twice-postponed fixture at the Athletic Ground (7.15pm). On Wednesday, Trefelin BGC are scheduled to visit Ely Rangers (7.30pm) in a big game of importance at both ends of the table. There is also a big relegation clash in the Rhymney Valley as Chepstow Town travel to Neuadd Wen (6.15pm). Pontyclun will welcome Trethomas Bluebirds to Ivor Park (6.15pm) and Treharris Athletic Western are due to host Tredegar Town in Fochriw (6.00pm).
There is one mid-week fixture in Division Two, Aberdare Town and Aberbargoed Buds will hope they can beat the weather at the third time of asking on Wednesday night (7.30pm).
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
Leave a Reply