Caerau Ely win Ardal South West as Garden Village relegated
Caerau Ely lift the trophy. Caerau Ely v Garden Village in the Ardal South West at Cwrt-yr-Ala on the 23rd May 2023.
Caerau Ely held their nerve as they comfortably beat Garden Village 5-1 to claim the Ardal South West title and win promotion to the Cymru South.
Lathan Garret opened the scoring and scored in both halves to help guide the Young Guns to the league title. Dan Ingram added to Garrett’s opener but Kurtis Morgan pulled one back for the Village five minutes before half-time. Garrett doubled his tally on the hour mark, and then Oliver Redhead and substitute Liam Bishop got in on the act with an emphatic victory.
Ely’s win means that Baglan Dragons will play Risca United on Friday, May 26 at Penydarren’s Bont Playing Fields in the Ardal Southern play-off final. Village meanwhile are relegated – as even with a win against Treharris Athletic, they could not finish above both Cardiff Draconians or Cwmamman United given they both face each other Saturday.
- Ardal South West: Fixtures, Results, Table and Top Scorers: 2022/23
- Photo Gallery: Caerau Ely v Garden Village 23/5/23
The hosts started on the front foot and put Village’s defence under pressure but Calum Bateman couldn’t direct his header on target from George Shrewring’s cross. Clayton Farrah followed up from a corner kick but put too much power on his header. Hywel Davies then went near as Ingram played him in but he hooked his shot past the post.
The hosts started on the front foot and put Village’s defence under pressure but Calum Bateman couldn’t direct his header on target from George Shrewring’s cross. Clayton Farrah followed up from a corner-kick but put too much power on his header. Hywel Davies then went near as Ingram played him in but he hooked his shot past the post.
Ely’s relentless pressure eventually broke down Village’s rearguard. Shrewring floated a corner in and Garrett nodded past Ashley Elsey for the opener.
A second goal followed eight minutes later as Shrewring registered his second assist – this time from open play. He whipped in a cross and Ingram was able to touch it past the goalkeeper.
The visitors pulled one back five minutes before half-time to make for some first-half nerves. Morgan laced his shot past Rhys Jones after Ely’s defence were caught napping from a free-kick.
In the second-half Elsey did well to stop Bateman adding a third as he dragged the ball from his feet. Shrewring then nearly opened his account as his volley sailed just over the bar. Ingram nearly added a third for the hosts as George Sheppard played a delightful ball but he toe-poked his effort wide. Elsey made a fine save then to deny Hywel Davies who unleashed a 10-yard effort.
Ely’s third came on the hour as Village failed to clear their lines and Garrett was on hand on the rebound to stroke home.
Another goal for Ely followed and Redhead – after being denied with his first attempt – looped the ball past the goalkeeper to create a three-goal advantage.
A fifth nearly followed a few minutes later but after consulting with his linesman, the referee deemed Shrewring to be offside.
Ely made several changes and Charlie Davies made a real impact. He nearly set up Bateman with a brilliant cross but did find substitute Liam Bishop with a good cross and Bishop tapped home from close range in the last notable act of Ely’s crowning as champions in the West of Cardiff.
Despite their relegation, David Rimmer’s side can bow out of the fifth tier on a high, as they face Cefn Cribwr in the final of the Ardal South Cup. The final is to take place on Tuesday, May 30 at Penybont’s SDM Glass Stadium.
Caerau Ely: Rhys Jones, Oliver Cox, George Sheppard, Clayton Farrah, Lathan Garrett, Oliver Redhead, Hywel Davies (Liam Bishop, 63), Jack Ashford (C), Calum Bateman, Daniel Ingram (Ethan Hayes, 85), and George Shewring (Charlie Davies, 77)
Goals: Lathan Garrett 21, 59, Daniel Ingram 29, Oliver Redhead 70, Liam Bishop 82′
Garden Village: Ashley Elsey, Nicholas Arnold (Jac Griffiths, 81), Morgan Gedrych, Ashley Thomas, Thomas Lewis, Alexander Arnold (Richard Cleverly, 81), Ricky Martin (Robert Jones, 60), Dayle Selvage (C), Tobias Jones, Kurtis Morgan, and Samuel Ash (Aaron Butler, 51)
Goals: Kurtis Morgan 43′
