Llandrindod Wells came out on top against Radnor Valley, while Builth Wells lost to Bow Street following an unfortunate own goal late on.

Llandrindod Wells leapfrogged Radnorshire rivals, Radnor Valley in the Ardal League North East table with 4-2 victory at The Bypass - their first away win of the term.

Central defender, Matt Croose took just five minutes to fire Radnor ahead on Saturday when he moved forward on to Elliot Williams’ long throw-in.

Llandrindod were soon back on terms with Zak Baker netting with a superb 25-yard strike which went in via the underside of the bar giving keeper, Otto Jones no chance. In their next attack, the Spa men were in front as the hard working Kieran McCarley was slipped in by Samed De Groot and finished clinically.

Elliot Morris headed over for Radnor from Jack Clarke’s corner and Radnor then thought they had equalised. Callum Matthews hit an angled drive which took a deflection past Llandrindod keeper, James Barker and appeared to bounce back off the stanchion but the referee waved play on. 

Llandrindod extended their lead with De Groot sneaking in at the far post to head home a Stuart Williams cross.

Shaun Nicholls headed over for Llandrindod while at the other end Richie Powell had to clear off the line from Charlie Beaumont when Barker failed to gather Henry Shipley’s deep free-kick.

The first half was very watchable for the neutral and although Radnor possibly had more of the ball, Llandrindod were better in possession with Rob Kear and De Groot excellent in midfield.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start to the second half and McCarley saw a shot blocked with Jones saving Richie Powell’s follow up effort. De Groot could have put the game to bed when he ran through from halfway only to be thwarted by Jones.

In all honesty though Radnor, without injured topscorer, Joey Price, never really looked like getting back in the game even more so when midfielder, Elliot Morris, perhaps harshly, picked up a second yellow card on 74 minutes.

Substitute, Tom Durant rifled home a fourth goal for the Spa side after Jones had parried a shot from Stuart Williams while Radnor substitute, Colin McGarva gained a consolation for The Goats with his first goal for the club in stoppage time.

Builth Wells suffered the cruellest of defeats in the Ardal League North East where they went down 1-0 at league leaders, Bow Street. The Bulls looked set to claim a well deserved point on the road until Kham Steventon, undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the league, was credited with an own goal on 92 minutes.

The Builth players and management team were gutted as they were by far the better side over the 90 minutes in what was probably their best performance of the season.

Builth, who saw striker, Connor Bird surprisingly depart to Knighton Town last week, were the better team in the first half without creating too much while Steventon produced a good save at the other end. After the break, The Bulls dominated and had chances which fell to Tommy Rowlands, Jamie Evans and Aeron Powell while Bow Street keeper, Lewis James made some top drawer saves. It looked however as if it would end goalless but in what was the last action of the afternoon, Steventon let a corner slip through his hands with the ball hitting the post before tricking over the line.

Kerry strengthened their hold on second spot in the table with Richard Davies and Luke Mumford (2) netting in a 3-0 home success over bottom of the table, Llansantffraid Village - a fourth straight win for The Lambs.

Llanidloes Town notched a welcome 2-1 victory at Penycae thanks to two goals from Gareth Owen. Harry Killick had cancelled out Owen’s opener for Penycae who had Josh Mazzarella sent off late on.

Brickfield Rangers got their challenge back on track but had to come from behind to beat Llanfair United 3-2 at home. Flynn Morris struck twice to put Llanfair in the driving seat but Rangers hit back with two goals from Andrew Vale before Lewis Clamp grabbed a second half winner.

Dolgellau were another who came from behind to record a 3-2 verdict over Chirk AAA. Chirk twice took the lead through Tom Freeman and Cameron Roberts but Ioan Roberts and Will Grufydd levelled and Gruffyd’s second goal after the break proved decisive although he also missed a penalty when Paul Lewis was brought down.

In the day’s other game, Cefn Albion bounced back from three straight defeats to win 1-0 at Rhos Aelwyd thanks to Torne Samuels who got the all important goal on 73 minutes.

Knighton Town are through to the fourth round of the Emrys Morgan Cup following a 1-0 home success over New Quay. The visitors arrived at Bryn-y-Castell bottom of the Costcutter Ceredigion League first division with just one point from 10 games and many thought it would be plain sailing for Knighton. But the Radnor Robins, without the experienced Adam Worton and Like Boundford, had to settle for that solitary goal which came from Declan Beddoes from the penalty spot when he was brought down on 35 minutes. The visitors rarely troubled Knighton’s defence although keeper, Nick Cadwallader made one excellent late save to keep the lead intact.

Knighton, who lifted the coveted trophy 20 years ago, are now the only local team definitely in the last sixteen with Rhayader Town’s home tie with Talgarth Town postponed. That will now be played this weekend when Presteigne St Andrews also travel to Cardigan Town.

Waterloo Rovers, runners-up last season, pulled off an emphatic 5-1 win at Penparcau with goals from Matt Brasenell (2), Owain Richards, Ian McLeod and Tom Ellis. Lee Morgan gained a consolation for Penparcau who picked up yet another red card with Robin Mleczek sent off.

Ffostrasol beat Tregaron on penalties after their tie finished at 2-2 with Jac Hockenhull twice giving Tregaron the lead only for Cian Edwards and Lewis Jones to level before half-time. Ryan Edwards missed a second half penalty for Tregaron.

Andrew Gwilt bagged a hat-trick as  Trewern United eased to a 6-1 victory a Padarn United while Llanilar were the day’s topscorers with Guto Roberts and Ryan Edwards each netting twice in a 7-1 verdict over Pencader.

Welshpool Town beat Four Crosses 2-0 with second half goals from the usual suspects, Ethan Kinsey and Ricky Litchfield, and Abermule progressed 2-1 at Berriew. Michael Humphreys and Charlie Humphreys netted for Abermule before player-coach, George Davies raised Berriew hopes.

Barmouth won on penalties at Llanfyllin Town who were devastated having earlier hit back from thee goals down. Scott Moncrieff and Osian Ephraim (2) had handed Barmouth a three-goal lead but Ronnie Lee, Liam Pickstock and Liam Jones completed a Llanfyllin comeback which in the end counted for nothing.

The day’s other ties resulted in wins for Lampeter Town who progressed 6-1 at Bargod Rangers while St Dogmaels were 4-2 winners at Crymych.

Ricky Lynes scored four times as Hay St Marys made it back-to-back wins in the MMP Central Wales League (South) with a high scoring 6-3 victory at Llanidloes Town Reserves. A look at the league table suggested this was one Hay should win and they ran away with it in the second half. Lynes and an own goal from Steven Davies saw The Saints forge a two-goal lead but Callum Jones and Nathan Fleming pegged it back for The Daffs before half-time. Harry Ratcliffe and Lynes saw Hay regain their two-goal advantage and after Kaylum Cosgrave had pulled one back for Llanidloes, the in-form Lynes struck twice more to complete his four-goal salvo.

But apart from Hay, it was a disappointing day for local sides with defeats for Builth Wells Reserves, Penybont United and Presteigne St Andrews.

Builth were at home against Machynlleth where topscorer, Calum Humphreys gave the visitors a half-time lead. Johann Auf Den Kamp also missed a penalty but second half goals from Iestyn Evans, Humphreys and Liam Sully put Machynlleth out of sight as Builth finished with 10 men for the second time in a week with Blake Evans sent off for picking up a second yellow card right at the end.

Isaac Price gave Penybont United the lead at in-form Bont with his third league goal of the season but the home side, who are now the division’s topscorers, hit back to win 6-1 with Gethin Williams-Evans, Garin Evans and Ethan Rees all scoring twice. Penybont have now lost six in a row in the league while it is seven defeats in a row for Presteigne St Andrews who were beaten 3-0 at home by Caersws Development. Presteigne were looking to build on their League Cup victory the previous week but were second best as Sam Barker scored in either half for The Bluebirds before Jared Marks completed their win with Riley Roberts assisting for all three goals.

Carno went top of the MMP Central Wales League (North) with a big 7-0 win over Dyffryn Banw. Peter Rees and Geraint Jones each scored twice with Tom Richards, Dave Anthony and Tyler McCarthy also netting for Carno who are unbeaten in the league.

Tywyn Bryncrug beat Montgomery Town 2-1 with a second half own goal from Sean Adams proving decisive. Tom Halliday had given Montgomery the lead but Ryan Dean had Tywyn level by half-time.

Bow Street Reserves booked their place in the third round of the MMP Central Wales League Cup with player-manager, Tom Williams (2), James Davies (2) and Joey Williams the goalscorers in a 5-1 passage at Aberystwyth University.

Hay St Marys had pulled off their best result of the season last Tuesday night beating a strong Builth Wells Reserves 1-0 in the MMP Central Wales League (South). An 85th minute goal from Ricky Lynes was enough to secure The Saints their first win under new manager, Scott Warren.

It was a good all round team performance from Hay with special mention to goalkeeper, Ollie Denney who made a string of fine saves to deny Builth who were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes when central defender, Lee James, returning from a three-match suspension, picked up a second yellow card.

Knighton Town now hold a big 11-point lead at the top of the table with Taylor Wozencraft bagging a second half hat-trick in a 9-0 thrashing of Aberystwyth University. It was virtually game over in the opening 25 minutes as Knighton raced into a four-goal lead through Jack Brindley, Ryan Jones, Jack Hoyle and Declan Beddoes. Wozencraft weighed in with his second half treble, substitutes, Jack Bright and Henry Shaw got on the scoresheet and only a missed penalty from Alfie Stokes, who hit the post, prevented Knighton from reaching double figures.

Rhayader Town missed the opportunity to go second in the table as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Machynlleth. The Red Kites finished the game strongly but Machynlleth stand-in keeper, Ewan Burnham denied them a winner with a couple of good late saves.

Second half goals from Jared Marks and Sam Barker steered ever improving Caersws Development to a 3-1 home success over Penrhyncoch Reserves. Jack Jones had given The Bluebirds the lead with Ciaran Evans equalising for Penrhyn before half-time.

Courtney Perkins completed a hat-trick on his debut for Bow Street Reserves who romped to a 10-1 win at Llanidloes Town Reserves. Lee Crumpler also bagged a hat-trick with Iolo Ap Dafydd, Caio Carruthers, Owen Evans and an own goal completing the spree with Will Denham gaining a consolation for The Daffs.  

In the second round of the League Cup, Berriew triumphed 5-4 on penalties against Montgomery Town with Jake Meredith forcing the shoot out after Josh Evans had handed Montgomery an interval lead.

Llanuwchllyn, from the Ardal League North East, pulled off the shock of the day in the JD Welsh Cup by beating nine-man Newtown on penalties.

Newtown, who play in the JD Cymru Premier, had goalkeeper, Alex Swindell sent off midway through the first half and defender, Callum Roberts also saw red on 77 minutes. It ended goalless after 90 minutes but Newtown’s luck ran out in the shoot-out with Llanuwchllyn triumphing 5-3.

Llangollen Town faced a daunting trip to The New Saints and so it proved as they were beaten 16-0 with Adam Wilson heading the goalscorers with four of the goals as TNS equalled the JD Welsh Cup record. 

Llanrhaeadr’s JD Welsh Cup adventure came to an end as the they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Bala Town on Friday night but the MMP Central Wales (North) side bowed out with heads held high. Llanrhaeadr held out until 53 minutes when Lassana Mendes put Bala ahead but Gruff Evans equalised only for Mendes to complete his hat-trick.   

Caersws are in the next round with Rhys Hesden and Max McLaughlin each scoring twice and Craig Harris, Jamie Jones and Callum Francis-Jones their other marksmen in a 7-4 victory over Rhyl. Guilsfield made their exit beaten 5-0 at Connahs Quay Nomads and Penrhyncoch went down 3-1 at home against Mold Alexandra despite Daniel Owen giving them an interval lead. Aberystwyth Town’s dismal season continued as they were knocked out by Ammanford who won 1-0 at Park Avenue thanks to an early goal from Callum Thomas.

Felindre were toasting their first win of the season after triumphing 2-1 at Llanfair United Reserves in the Montgomery Amateur League Severn Trophies League Cup. A goal in each half from Paul Reynolds and debutant, Justin Davies put The Millers two up with Rhydian Morgan gaining a consolation for Llanfair in the last minute.

Llandrindod Wells Reserves are out of the League Cup after being beaten 6-0 at home by Kerry Reserves who scored through Ryan Groves (2), Cenwyn Bloor-Jones, Charlie Webster, Liam Williams and Ethan Holloway.

St Harmon suffered a narrow 3-2 home defeat in the league at the hands of defending Champions, Llangedwyn. Ollie Leadbetter and Gregg Lloyd netted for The Swifts but a hat-trick from former Llanfair United and Meifod man, Alun Hughes gave Llangedwyn the spoils.

Newcastle are through in the Llansantffraid Village Cup with veteran, Jimmy Thomas inspiring them to a thrilling 5-4 extra-time victory over Berriew Development. Morgan Oakley (2), Mark Pugh, Henry Ellis and Huw Williams were on target for the Shropshire men who were drawing 3-3 after ninety minutes with Thomas, a mere 51 years of age, pulling the strings in midfield. 

There were mixed fortunes for our two teams in the RTM Brickwork Merthyr League. Hay St Marys Reserves lost 5-0 at home to Penydarren BGC Reserves but Brecon FC beat Gurnos Seniors 3-2 with goals from Owain Powell-Jones (2) and Tom Morgan (pen).