Builth Wells 5-3 Abermule: Builth step closer to League title

Mid Wales League East leaders Builth Wells hosted fifth placed Abermule on Saturday afternoon in an action packed eight goal thriller at Lant Fields.

With Radnor Valley and Brecon Corries also on the hunt for promotion, it was a must win for the home side but they weren’t going to have their way as Abermule took the lead after only 54 seconds when a clinical strike from Michael Humphreys found the bottom left corner.

It was an electrifying start as from the restart Builth hit back immediately. A superb freekick rattled the right upright to bounce back into the path of Adam Farmer who notched home the loose ball from eight yards out to level the score.

Farmer’s deep delivery was turned wide of the post by Rudi Griffiths from four yards before a goalbound header from a corner kicked was superbly hacked off the line by Aber’s Charlie Humphreys.

Abermule restored their lead in the 14th minute when James Spooner in the Builth net mis-judged the ball which allowed for Tomas Jones to fire home.

The lead lasted a minute when Builth replied instantly when a cross swung in from the left was palmed out by Spooner for Jack Hammond to smash home from 10 yards.

Soon it was 3-2 to the hosts. A header crashed against the crossbar into the path of Aeron Powell who’s chance was fumbled before crossing over the line by Christopher Roff.

Goals kept coming and in the 21st minute, play was level once more. A left sided corner was powered in by Michael Humphreys’ header to double his tally for the afternoon and make it 3-3.

After a breathtaking opening 22 minutes play calmed down slightly up to the interval. Hammond’s delivery set up Griffiths who from two yards forced Gareth Williams to strongly turn his chance around the post. Meanwhile down the other end a scramble in the box led to George Davies seeing his opportunity kept out by Spooner.

Halftime 3-3 at the break.

The fiercely competitive fixture continued at a high tempo in the second half with some impressive play from both sides.

Powell released Greg Preece with a great throughball but the ball took too much power and rolled out of play prior to Richard Powell riding over two tackles during a counter attack driving into the six yard box but Williams saving well down low.

Builth were increasing their pressure but Mule’s defenders were keeping the danger from the lively Griffiths and Farmer at bay much to their credit.

Joseph Hughes’ crunching tackle on Griffiths saw the loose ball arrive to Powell forcing a corner as the tension from the hosts continued as they tooked for a winner.

Aeron Powell’s picked out Griffiths but they saw the shot fly inches wide prior to Powell again delivering a brilliant ball to Oliver Woods who laid off to Griffiths but his slice rattled the bar for the hosts.

Woods’ shot shaved the top of the bar before Richard Powell’s header was pushed onto the base of the post by Williams with a goal looming for the Bulls.

The 80th minute saw Builth’s goal finally arrive after some relentless pressure. Powell drove strongly into the box and unleashed an impressive strike into the top right corner making the score 4-3.

Three minutes from time a long kick from the back bounced and deceived the visiting shotstopper allowing Blake Evans to race ahead of him to turn the ball into an empty net and seal the three points for the league leaders.

An entertaining afternoon at Lant Fields between two teams who played excellent football and showed huge determination from start to finish.