An enthralling 3-3 draw between two local rivals was the highlight of last weekend’s football action.
Honours were even in the top of the table clash in the Central Wales League South as Radnor Valley and Hay St Marys drew 3-3 at The Bypass. Radnor had three times led through Taylor Wozencraft and Joey Price (2) but were each time pegged back with Rob Sneddon and Jack Biggs (2) replying for The Saints.
Radnor had warmed up for Saturday’s big clash with a comfortable 7-0 victory at local rivals, Presteigne St Andrews in midweek with Joey Price bagging a hat-trick.
Two goals in the opening eight minutes from Taylor Wozencraft and Joey Price set the tone for the night. Wozencraft opened the scoring from Geraint Lloyd’s through ball and Wozencraft then turned provider to set up Price who then added his second and Radnor’s third. Price went on to complete a first half hat-trick with Lewis Morris this time the provider after robbing a defender and Callum Matthews also scored against his former club bursting through to make it 5-0 by half-time. Charlie Beaumont extended the lead in the second half and although Presteigne kept battling, Radnor made it seven when substitute, Jack Williams headed in from a Lewis Morris corner.
Presteigne suffered a further defeat at the week-end as they were beaten 3-2 at Aberaeron but must have been kicking themselves after surrendering a two goal lead. Jamie Blythe and Rueben Lloyd had put Presteigne two up but Jack Lester got one back for Aberaeron. Presteigne perhaps should have added to their tally in that first half but Dafydd Roberts tied the scores two minutes after the break and with the strong wind in their favour, Ianto Evans went on to win it for Aberaeron.
Knighton Town saw their excellent start continue as they hit back from two down to triumph 3-2 at Llanilar. Osian Simpson-Jones had put Llanilar ahead in the first half and when he struck again soon after half-time, The Robins looked to have a mountain to climb. But there is belief in this Knighton squad and Jack Davies reduced the arrears with his second goal in as many games. Substitute, jack Hoyle levelled the scores on 70 minutes and Billy Hyett snatched a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time.
There was no joy again for Talgarth Town who fell to a 6-0 defeat at Tregaron where Ryan Davies completed a first half hat-trick for the hosts. Tregaron scored another three after the break with Jason Jones (2) and Gethin Jones completing their tally.
Local interest in this season’s JD Welsh Cup disappeared with Brecon Corries and Llandrindod Wells crashing out of the competition in the first round proper.
Corries were beaten 6-2 at Pencoed Athletic while Llandrindod lost 5-0 at Trefelin BGC where all the goals came in the first half.
Corries renewed acquaintances with Pencoed, from the South Wales Alliance, who led 2-0 at half time thanks to a Jack Delve double. Joel Evans raised hopes by reducing the deficit with a looping header but Harry Davies struck for the hosts before Delve completed a hat-trick. Jacob Sayer netted a fifth for Pencoed and although Joel Evans grabbed a second for Corries, it was no more than a consolation as Jordan Gittins made it six for the home side.
Llandrindod knew it would be a big ask for them at Trefelin who play in the JD Cymru South but the visitors made a bright start to the tie.
Two goals from Mark Jones however put Trefelin in the driving seat and Llandrindod ‘keeper, James Barker was then credited with an own goal. Two in as many minutes from Roan Piper and John Hall just before half-time ended the tie as a contest.
Bow Street and Caersws remain to carry Mid Wales hopes in the competition but generally it was a bad day with Llanidloes Town, Penrhyncoch, Llanfair United, Machynlleth, Penparcau and Abermule all bowing out.
Ben Davies snatched a stoppage time winner, his second of the tie, as Bow Street prevailed 6-5 in a thriller against Bangor 1876. Rhydian Davies converted two penalties and Dafydd Carruthers and Tomos Roberts were also on target. And Caersws went through on penalties at Penrhyncoch after it ended 1-1 with Neil Mitchell giving Caersws the lead and Liam Lewis equalising.
Rhayader Town were celebrating their first win of the season in the Ardal League North East as second half goals from Grant Stamp, Bradley Goodwin and Mark Jones secured a 3-0 home success over Corwen. Captain, James Thomson provided three assists as The Red Kites got their season up and running playing the brand of football manager, Dylan McPhee has been asking for. Rhayader could have been ahead in the first half when Grant Stamp hit the post, Ryan Addison had one cleared off the line and they also had strong penalty appeals turned down while Kham Steventon had to make a smart save at the other end,
Stamp broke the deadlock with a deflected strike and Bradley Goodwin got in between two defenders to head in from a Thomson cross. And former Knighton Town player-manager, Mark Jones sealed the win when he headed over the advancing ‘keeper after chasing down Thomson’s long ball forward.
Builth Wells went down 4-1 at home against a more streetwise Rhos Aelwyd who scored twice in each half on The Lant Field. Joint manager, Jason Samuel admitted Builth were guilty of poor decision making and disappointed in the goals conceded. The Bulls had their chances in the first half but Rhos Aelwyd were more clinical scoring through James Rumsey and Tom Smith. Dave Roberts and Ed Neale netted after the break before Builth gained a consolation with Aeron Powell scoring from the penalty spot following a foul on Lyndon Jones.
Rhos Aelwyd are now top of the table after previous leaders, Cefn Albion were held 2-2 at Llanrhaeadr where there were three red cards in the first half. Callum Mannon and Michael Latham put Albion two up before both goalscorers were sent off while Glenn Evans also saw red for Llanrhaeadr. But Ryan Broadbent then scored twice for Llanrhaeadr, his second in stoppage time.
In the other league game, Dolgellau were another to hit back from two down to win 5-2 at Llangollen Town thanks to a Gerwyn Williams hat-trick and a brace from Owain Williams.
Builth Wells continued their charge towards the top of the FAW National Reserve League Central with a 3-2 win at local rivals, Rhayader Town on Friday night. Topscorer, Blake Evans had given The Bulls an interval lead with a screamer and Jacob Moore added a second midway through the second half after rounding ‘keeper, Eifion Price. Rhayader captain, Aaron bates reduced the deficit with a cracking free-kick but Moore struck again for Builth meaning Bradley Goodwin’s injury time reply, another fine strike from outside the box, was no more than a consolation for Rhayader.
Builth have now won four out of four but disappointingly they now have no game for a month before tackling defending league Champions, Llanidloes Town.
Llandrindod Wells saw their recent revival halted as they crashed to a 6-2 home defeat at the hands of Welshpool Town. The Spa men never recovered after conceding two early goals with Tom Halliday leading the way for Welshpool with a hat-trick. Ethan Kinsey (2) and Owain Richards were also on target before Llandrindod showed some character replying through Sam Jones and Darren Murphy.
Elsewhere, Llanfair United moved off the bottom with a 6-3 verdict at Caersws where Max McLaughlin was another hat-trick man. Tommy Burlinson, Tom Gregory and Callum White were the other Llanfair goalscorers with James Coleman, Taylor Sillitoe and Tomos Evans keeping The Bluebirds in contention for much of the night.