This miserable winter continued its assault on domestic football across Wales this weekend with a raft of postponements all over the country.
The Welsh Football League was no less affected with nine games wiped out because of the latest deluge of rain. Some games did survive the weather though and there are plenty of stories to tell across all three divisions.
There was also a minute silence held at a number of grounds across the league in memory of Mitchell Joseph, who tragically died while playing for St. Joseph’s AFC in the Swansea Senior League. Aberdare Town too held a silence ahead of their match with Dinas Powys to mark the recent passing of Danny Evans, treasurer of the Aberdare Valley Football League.
This is your Welsh League Matchday 22 round-up.
Division One
Goytre United’s home game with leaders Llanelli Town was called off an hour before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch at Glenhafod Park. That meant Haverfordwest County would have the opportunity to return to the top of the Welsh League, although they faced a difficult fixture at home to fellow title-chasers Goytre.
The Pembrokeshire club bought their Gwent visitors to the sword, Steffan Williams scoring four goals as County cruised to a 5-0 win. Goytre still remain an outside bet to lift the title at the end of the season, but this damaging defeat will be tough to come back from.
On Friday night Afan Lido beat Cwmamman United 2-1 at the Marston Stadium, with Mark Jones again on the scoresheet. The win that moves the Port Talbot club – unbeaten in five league games – up to 3rd in the table. Cwmamman – despite a cache of games in hand – remain four points off safety.
At Celtic Park Josh Bull and Chris Ham were once again the match winners as Cwmbran Celtic completed a Gwent derby double over Monmouth Town, winning 3-1. Cortez Belle’s home bow as Port Talbot Town boss ended in a 3-2 defeat to Undy Athletic (ending a six-game unbeaten run for Town).
Results
Afan Lido 2-1 Cwmamman United
Penybont 2-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cwmbran Celtic 3-1 Monmouth Town
Haverfordwest County 5-0 Goytre
Port Talbot Town 2-3 Undy Athletic
Division Two
Caldicot Town’s match at Ammanford was postponed. This gave Pontypridd Town a chance to move back to the top of the league and they did not waste the opportunity, thrashing Abergavenny Town 5-0 at USW Sports Park.
First-half doubles from Gavin Beddard and Andrew Smith putting The Dragon four up at the break; Dan Hooper added the fifth.
Despite sacking the Gareth Morgan-led management team in mid-week, there was no evidence of a hangover for STM Sports as they secured a 2-1 home win over Croesyceiliog. Jack Kinnerly and Calum Bateman the scorers for STM. Garden Village also kept up the pace with an entertaining 4-3 home win over AFC Llwydcoed.
At the bottom Aberdare Town’s new-look side continued its recent improvement under Wayne Powell’s management, a four-goal first-half blitz securing them a hugely important win over fellow relegation scrappers Dinas Powys. The win was all the more important as West End were beaten 3-2 at Pontardawe Town in a local derby, while there was more misery for AFC Porth who suffered a 6-1 defeat to Aberbargoed Buds at Dinas Park.
Results
Aberdare Town 4-0 Dinas Powys
AFC Porth 1-6 Aberbargoed Buds
Garden Village 4-3 AFC Llwydcoed
Pontardawe Town 3-2 West End
Pontypridd Town 5-0 Abergavenny Town
STM Sports 2-1 Croesyceiliog
Division Three
In the big game at the top Swansea University set down a big marker by crushing fellow promotion contenders and previously unbeaten Bridgend Street 6-1 at Sketty Stadium. The fixture was organized to take place at Bridgend Street, but The Willows pitch was waterlogged and with the reverse fixture yet to be played a last minute switch of venue was sanctioned.
Trefelin BGC stay top of Division Three though following a 1-0 home win over bottom club Treowen Stars, thanks to a Dylan Thomas goal. Trefelin are now the only side unbeaten in the Welsh League this season.
On Friday night, Ynysygerwn continued their recent improvement by thrashing fellow struggling outfit Ely Rangers 5-0. It is troubling times for the Wenvoe club. Julian Jenkins stepped down as manager this week and the defeat at Ynysygerwen means they are now seven points adrift of safety.
Results
Ynysygerwn 5-0 Ely Rangers
Swansea University 6-1 Bridgend Street
Trefelin BGC 1-0 Treowen Stars
Trethomas Bluebirds 0-2 Caerau
(Featured Image: Steve Roberts of Cwmbran Celtic FC)
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