Builth Wells overcame the first half sending off of Danny Hall to move up to second spot in the Ardal League North East with a 3-1 victory over Rhos Aelwyd on The Lant Field. 

Builth were slightly second best in the opening exchanges but took the lead with impressive midfielder, Josh Joyce getting his first goal for the club when he headed in a Lyndon Jones cross at the near post. The Bulls were reduced to 10 men on 36 minutes with Danny Hall shown a straight red for kicking out at an opponent but Jamie Evans went close to adding a second goal thumping a header against the post from a Jones corner.

It looked as if it could be a long second half for 10-man Builth especially when Rhos Aelwyd levelled three minutes after half-time. Builth were guilty of giving the ball away and Scott Reeves took advantage with a well taken effort.

But two goals in as many minutes midway through the half were enough to earn The Bulls the spoils and maintain their 100 per cent home record in the league. Adam Farmer claimed the second Builth goal although his far post header from another Jones corner looked to be deflected past the Rhos keeper by a defender. And immediately Builth got a third when substitute, Connor Bird headed the ball on to Lyndon Jones who claimed his third assist crossing for Aeron Powell to head the best goal of the afternoon.

Builth now look to have a squad strong enough to compensate for injury and suspension and if they can replicate their home form on the road can be genuine title contenders.

Llandrindod Wells slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Llanfair United where they turned in a decent performance but are struggling to score goals. The Spa men fell behind on 14 minutes when defender, Ashley Jones challenged Llanfair’s Jack Jones for a free-kick and the ball looped into the net. Llandrindod probably had the better of the first half and Ashley Jones and Reuben Edwards were denied by goal-line clearances. The second half was evenly contested with Kieran McCarley having a “goal” rather dubiously ruled out for off-side while Richie Powell also clipped the bar for Llandrindod but it was not to be. Llanfair had a couple of chances of their own with James Barker saving from Karl Seliaerts while Cori Davies made a last ditch block to also deny the home side’s player-manager.

In the only other game in the league on Saturday, in-form Penycae, who are Builth’s opponents this week-end, beat Llansantffraid Village 3-0 thanks to Josh Mazzarella (2) and Tomos Hughes. 

Radnor Valley’s hopes of an extended run in the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy were ended as they bowed out of the competition following a 3-2 defeat at Bow Street. Manager, Adam Jones was frustrated as he felt the game was definitely winnable but The Goats missed chances and conceded a couple of soft goals late in the second half.

Callum Page headed Bow Street in front from a 10th minute free-kick but Radnor equalised on the half hour when Charlie Beaumont put Joey Price through. Topscorer, Price gave Radnor the lead 11 minutes into the second half with his 10th goal of the term – a stunning 30-yard free-kick into the top corner. Steff Davies capitalised on a mix-up between keeper, Tom Lewis and his defence to level on 73 minutes and John James grabbed a winner following a goalkeeping error. Bow Street’s win was their last under Llyr Hughes with the club announcing on Monday morning that he has stepped down as first team manager.

Llanidloes Town caused an upset in The Faw Trophy by beating Kerry 5-2 at home with Adam Nottingham, Joe Evans and Mason Jones handing them a 3-0 interval lead. Evans netted his second and The Daffs’ fourth before Richard Davies and Mark Hughes hit back with late replies for Kerry. But Llanidloes had the last word with substitute, Steff Marshman rounding off a good day in stoppage time.

Llanrhaeadr maintained their unbeaten record this time with an impressive 3-1 verdict over Dolgellau. Goals from Billy Clarke (2) and Huw France gave Michael Barton’s side another Adal League scalp having beaten Llansantffraid in the previous round.

Norton Collins (2), Byron Edwards and Jake Meredith scored as Berriew edged out Montgomery Town 4-3 and Tywyn Bryncrug are also through with first half goals from Ryan Dean and Jamie Pymm enough to secure a 2-0 passage against Waterloo Rovers. George Lloyd, Jordan Dean and Lewis Birch struck in the second half as Four Crosses beat Trewern United 3-0.

In the battle of two of the current top sides in the Ardal League North East, Brickfield Rangers comfortably beat Llangollen Town 5-0 with Jay Richardson and Andrew Vale each netting twice.

Knighton Town are emerging as the team to beat in this seasons MMP Central Wales League (South) and made it seven wins from seven with a  4-0 home success over Builth Wells Reserves. The Radnor Robins, who were disappointed in their midweek performance against Presteigne, took an early lead against Builth. Taylor Wozencraft was denied by Builth keeper, Jordan Jarvis and Callum Stead headed in the rebound. Knighton added a second after 39 minutes with Jack Weston netting from 35 yards. The next goal would be crucial and it went to Knighton within a minute of the second half kicking off as Stead scored from the edge of the box. Builth, themselves much improved from their previous outing at Bont, kept trying but could find no way back and summer signing, Ryan Jones sealed Knighton’s win with a 20 yard volley – his first goal for the club.

Ffostrasol stay second in the table after coming from a goal down to triumph 4-1 at Penybont United who were at home for the first time this season. And Penybont made a dream start with Isaac Price robbing a defender to give them an early lead. But last season’s Costcutter  Ceredigion League first division Champions, Ffostrasol then went on to score twice in either half through Ifan Davies (2), Bleddyn Jones and Luke Evans.

Hay St Marys were looking to carry on the momentum they built up in the second half in midweek with them at home against Bow Street Reserves but they fell to a 4-2 defeat. Player-manager, Tom Williams and Owen Brevitt netted for the visitors in the first half sandwiching Darren Horrigan’s reply for The Saints. Williams and James Whitney took the game away from Hay in the second half before Charlie Ward managed to pull one back.

There looks to be big gulf between the top and bottom of the division as Saturday’s other results proved. Presteigne St Andrews have endured a challenging start to the season and crashed to an 11-0 defeat at Tregaron. There were hat-tricks for Josh Taylor, Paul Morgan and Josh Davies with Cledan Davies and Cerith Wiliams completing the spree.

Penparcau were again among the goals and swept to a 9-1 victory over Llanilar with Callum Evans bagging a hat-trick in the opening 24 minutes. Player-manager, Mattie Davies completed his second hat-trick of the week and Lee Morgan (2) and Gytis Pivnickas completed the scoring with Osian Simpson-Jones gaining Llanilar’s consolation.

Garin Evans scored four times as Bont defeated Llanidloes Town Reserves 7-0 with Dion Davies, Jake Button and Jordan Lee Perry also on target. 

St Harmon made it back to back wins in the JT Hughes Montgomery Amateur League with a 1-0 victory at former Mid Wales League (South) rivals, Felindre. A 10th minute goal from Ollie Leadbetter was all that separated the sides in a game which really could have gone either way. 

Llandrindod Wells pocketed their first points by beating Llanfair United Reserves 5-0 on The Broadway to avenge a heavy defeat at Llanfair on he opening week-end of the season. Matthew Nicholls, making his first appearance, gave Llandrindod a two-goal lead in the first half but they had Calum Hawksworth sent off on 57 minutes. But that failed to disrupt Llandrindod and Ryan Sims increased the lead before substitute, Jago Mackenzie, another debutant, weighed in with a late double. 

Elsewhere leaders, Four Crosses Reserves lost 1-0 at Kerry Reserves with Jack Carroll grabbing the only goal for The Lambs.

Brecon FC, who lost 5-1 at Penydarren BGC Reserves in their opener a fortnight ago, picked up their first points in the RTM Brickwork Merthyr League with a 3-2 home success over Dowlais. Brecon forged a three goal first half lead through Owain Powell-Jones (2) and Rhodri Powell-Jones before Dowlais pulled a couple back late on.

Hay St Marys Reserves are also in the Merthyr League this time and began their new venture with a 3-1 defeat at Baili Glas. The young Saints found themselves three down at half-time before Rio Price reduced the deficit at the start of the second half.   

Meanwhile it was back to back draws for Talgarth Town in the Candour Talent Gwent Central League first division as they were held 2-2 at home by New Inn FC Development. Experienced midfielder, Gavin Perry netted both goals to give Talgarth, who were second division Champions last season, a 2-1 half-time lead.

Rhayader Town continued their winning streak in the MMP Central Wales League (South) by beating Penrhyncoch Reserves 3-1 on The Weirglodd last Wednesday night. Rhayader made a bright start and it was against the run of play when Zac Davies put Penrhyn ahead with a super finish after Cai Williams put him through. Jacob Jones equalised with a stunning free-kick as his effort from out on the right hand touch line sailed into the top corner although visiting keeper, Dylan Jenkins will perhaps feel he should have done better.

Rhayader took the lead nine minutes into the second half with the impressive Cian Price delivering a dangerous low cross which Penrhyn’s ex-Welsh Premier League defender, Sion James could only turn into his own net. And Rhayader clinched the points when Bradly Goodwin won a header in the box and Warren McFadden rifled in his fourth goal in the last three games to make it five wins from five for The Red Kites.

Knighton Town returned to the top of the table with Declan Beddoes scoring twice in a 2-0 victory over arch rivals, Presteigne St Andrews. Recent results suggested a comfortable Knighton win but Presteigne turned in their best display of the season frustrating the league leaders and having chances of their own in what was a decent local derby. Beddoes made the breakthrough for Knighton on 35 minutes capitalising on a mix-up in the Presteigne defence to slot home. Presteigne had Gareth Bull sent off midway through the second half for bringing down Knighton’s new signing, Luke Boundford when he was last man. But Presteigne stayed in the game until the final five minutes when Boundford was brought down by ‘keeper, Jordan Bailey and Beddoes netted his second from the penalty spot.

Hay St Marys staged one of the comebacks of the season to beat Penybont United 5-4 at Forest Road. Penybont were leading 3-0 at half-time through Owain Rowlands (2) and Alfie Stonefield and when Cian Bufton made it four, The Polecats must have been in dreamland. Daniel Meredith sparked the Hay comeback and Ricky Lynes further reduced the deficit with a penalty for handball which saw Penybont’s Oscar Davies sent off. Hay certainly made their extra man count and Reuben Rodell and Lynes tied the scores before substitute, Charlie Ward snatched a dramatic late winner from Gabriel Moore’s cross.

Penparcau romped to an 11-1 win at Llanidloes Town Reserves with Lee Morgan scoring five times. Player-manager, Mattie Davies grabbed four and Jason Rees netted the other two goals with Tam Campbell replying for The Daffs. Both sides played much of the evening a man short with Penparcau goalkeeper, Daniel Pritchard sent off on 40 minutes and Llanidloes’ Harrison Jones seeing red just after half-time.

Machynlleth remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw against a strong Bow Street Reserves who went ahead through Caio Carruthers. Joe Green levelled before half-time and Mach topscorer, Calum Humphreys saw a second half penalty saved by Bow Street first team manager Llyr Hughes before they had Liam Sully sent off. 

Joe Sherwood scored in stoppage time to earn Llanilar a 2-2 draw at home against Bont. Guto Robers had put Llanilar ahead but Garin Evans struck twice for Bont who had Ethan Rees sent off after just eleven minutes

Llanrhaeadr dropped their first points in the MMP Central Wales League (North) after being held to a 1-1 draw at Berriew. Jacob Edwards put them back on level terms after former Felindre striker, Jake Meredith had given Berriew the lead.

Carno are now the only side boasting a one hundred per cent record following their 1-0 win at Abermule. Substitute, Peter Rees, who won the Ardal League North East with Caersws two seasons ago, announced his return after twelve months out of the game with the all important goal on 65 minutes.

Forden United are level on points with Llanrhaeadr at the top with Harvey Gill netting two minutes into the second half of their 1-0 victory at Bishops Castle.

Welshpool Town and Four Crosses drew 1-1 with Ethan Kinsey putting Welshpool in front and Will Howard equalising and it was also 1-1 between Montgomery Town and Waterloo Rovers whose Owain Richards cancelled out Jack Williams’ opener in a feisty affair.

Barmouth were celebrating their first points with Ryan Williams getting the only goal in a 1-0 victory at local rivals, Tywyn Bryncrug while Llanfyllin Town are also off the mark as an early strike from Matthew Evans saw them 1-0 winners at Meifod.

Llandrindod Wells Reserves were beaten 2-1 at home by Abermule Reserves in the Montgomery Amateur League where Huw Roberts snatched a winner in stoppage time. Cole Moore had given the visitors an early lead before Llandrindod’s Gavin Rowlands was sent off ten minutes into the second half. Kieran McCarley levelled the scores but then he too saw red for the Spa men after Will Davies had missed a penalty for Abermule.