CENTRAL WALES CHALLENGE CUP

Builth Wells were due to take on Huws Grays Alliance side, Caersws last night (Tuesday) at Rhayader in the semi-final of the Central Wales Challenge Cup. Builth, flying high in the Spar Mid Wales League second division, defeated local rivals, Llandrindod Wells 1-0 on The Broadway last Wednesday night to book their place in the last four. Harry Bastable grabbed the all important goal late on as Chris Jones’ side beat their first division opponents for the second time this season. Builth felt they were the better side with Richie Powell hitting the bar in either half although Llandrindod had strong penalty appeals turned down in the first period.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

There were defeats for both Knighton Town and Llandrindod Wells in the Spar Mid Wales League first division at the week-end. Knighton, who have slipped into the bottom half of the table went down 3-2 at home against Tywyn bryncrug despite twice taking the lead in the first half. Declan Beddoes and Matt James had given The Robins the advantage but Tywyn hit back through Mark Edmondson and Aled Jones before Aston Heath bagged a second half winner.

Llandrindod Wells went down 2-0 at Llanfair United making it three league defeats in a row for the Spa men. Gethin Stephens and Ben Jones were on target for Llanfair who avenged a 3-2 defeat at Llandrindod earlier in the season.

Welshpool’s dropped points against Knighton in midweek allowed Llanrhaeadr to go top on goal difference after a 9-0 hammering of Machynlleth. Player-manager, Marc Griffiths led the way with a five goal haul for the Tanat Valley side who also have five games in hand on Welshpool. Iwan Matthews completed a hat-trick with Khyan Wyton also on target.

Third placed Llanidloes Town saw their hopes of a top two finish dented as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at lowly Kerry.Ben Davies and Matt Mumford put Kerry two up at half-time and a Luke Mumford penalty increased the lead before Llanidloes had Richie Evans sent off.

In Saturday’s other league match, Churchstoke came away from Borth United with a 4-2 win. Borth, playing their first home match on their own ground since October due to the weather, scored first and last through Dale Lloyd and Gwion Pugh-Jones but Andrew Green (2), Joe Haycock and an own goal gave Churchstoke the spoils.

Radnor Valley’s hopes of silverware in the Spar Mid Wales League Cup disappeared as they suffered a 5-1 quarter-final exit at Welshpool Town. Radnor were very much in the tie at the break with Joey Price having cancelled out Wil Thomas’s opener for the hosts. But Radnor never got going in the second half and Thomas struck again while Adam Davies (2) and Ian Macleod completed Welshpool’s nap hand.

Aberaeron are also through with a surprisingly easy 5-1 passage a Carno where there were two goals each for Mattie Davies and Dan James. Liam Jacques also netted with Scott Williams scoring for Carno.

Bow Street booked their semi-final ticket with Andrew Gittins grabbing the all important goal in a 1-0 win against Berriew while the last semi-final spot will go too Llanfair United or Knighton Town who meet next month.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1 (MIDWEEK)

It literally was a tale of two halves at Maesydre last Wednesday night as Knighton Town held Spar Mid Wales League first division leaders, Welshpool Town to a 4-4 draw. But it could have been so much better for The Radnor Robins who forged a four goal interval lead but were then pegged back by the hosts. Knighton were on fire in the first half with Connor Bird (2), Sam Williams and Gareth Mansell seemingly putting them out of sight. But Welshpool, who have led the table for much of the season stormed back through Wil Thomas (2), Ian Probert and Ian Macleod.

Machynlleth eased their relegation fears with a fine 3-2 verdict at Bow Street with goals from Sion Jones (2) and Andrew Page who bagged the winner. Mark Gornal and Neil Evans netted for Bow Street whjo had lost just one of their previous eight in the league.

Elsewhere a hat-trick from Paul Griffiths helped Llanfair United to a 4-2 home win against Kerry. Ben Jones was also on target with Luke Mumford and Francis Barr the Kerry marksmen.

SPAR MID WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Presteigne were celebrating after notching their first win since December In the Spar Mid Wales League second division. Goals from Tom Crichton and Jamie Blythe earned the Llanandras Park side a 2-1 victory at Montgomery Town despite travelling with the bare eleven.

Presteigne, had also turned in a much improved performance last Wednesday night when they drew 1-1 at home against Abermule. The visitors snatched a 93rd minute equaliser through Mike Humphreys with Presteigne protesting for a foul on their ‘keeper. Shaun Harris’ side felt they had done enough to win the game after taking the lead early in the second half with Kieran Lusher converting a penalty following a push on Jack Brazier.

At the top of the table, Builth Wells took a step closer to the second divison title with a 3-0 home verdict over Abermule. Richie Powell, Joel Metcalf and Gethin Jarman were on target as Builth , who have conceded just six league goals all term, kept yet another clean sheet. Powell opened the scoring when he chased what seemed a lost cause and then turned provider for Joel Metcalf to net the second. Abermule rarely threatened and Gethin Jarman sealed the win converting an Adie Jones cross from close range.

Builth continue to trail Llansantffraid Village by four points but with four games in hand after their rivals ran out 4-1 winners at Talgarth Town. Nathan Prodger is the leading marksman in the second division and he again led the way with a hat-trick for Llansantffraid. An own goal completed their tally while Gavin Perry gained a consolation for Talgarth with is first goal since a transfer from Brecon Corries..

Brecon Northcote stole a march in the race for third spot with a 2-0 win at bottom of the table Penybont. Topscorer, Joel Evans opened the scoring when he outmuscled the home defence with just over half an hour played. Frazer McAnally added a second after the break and Jack Evans hit the post from distance as Northcote continued on the front foot.

Hay St Marys drew 1-1 at Dolgellau and were indebted to an injury time penalty from Matty Tong, awarded for handball, after David Edwards had handed the Gwynedd side the lead.

WATSON FINANCIAL MID WALES LEAGUE (SOUTH)

Rhayader Town maintained their one hundred per cent record in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) with a 4-3 home success against Builth Wells Reserves taking The Red Kites back to the top of the table. Rhayader stormed into a four goal lead through Jamie Evans, Taylor Wozencraft and Gareth Hughes (2) but Builth set their nerves on edge hitting back in the second half through Dave Thomas (2) and Charlie Boucher.

It was a tough week for Builth who had suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at Llanidloes Town Reserves last Tuesday night. Two goals from Josh Hartrick,either side of half-time, took The Daffs top of the table temporarily with Dave Thomas reducing the deficit for Builth.

Newcastle, in any other season, would probably feel they have done enough to be top having not lost since the opening day of the season and the Shropshire men extended their unbeaten run to thirteen with a 3-0 win a Hay St Marys Reserves. First half goals from Carl Price and Jimmy Thomas put Newcastle in the driving seat. Hay had a chance to get back in the game with a late penalty but it was saved by Wayne Griffiths before an own goal sealed their fate.

Hay however had notched their first league win since September last Thursday night with Matty Tong starring in a 2-1 success at Llandrindod Wells Reserves. The talented youngster scored both goals for The Saints with Tom Evans replying for Llandrindod.

St Harmon returned to league action following a three week break with a 1-1 draw at Brecon Northcote Reserves. Rhys Bennett gave The Swifts and early lead but Curtis Williams levelled and Rory Myles had a further effort ruled out for off-side for Northcote.

¦ Presteigne Reserves are through to the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales (South) League Cup Final after a 2-0 semi-final success at Llandrindod Wells Reserves. Duanne Anning was the star of the show with both goals earning Mark Weiland and Alan Stocker’s side a Final meeting with Llanidloes Town Reserves or Rhayader Town who were scheduled to play tonight (Wednesday).