DIVISION ONE ROUND UP.
The top five in division one of the Costcutter League all managed to win with Llandysul edging out Crannog, Lampeter cruising to a win against Bargod and Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn and Cilgerran collecting three points.
The match of the day certainly lived up to its billing with six goals, plenty of action and some thundering tackles at Llangrannog as both teams went at it hammer and tongs.
Llandysul eventually emerged as winners but they were forced to fight for their three points against a Crannog team that were up for this tasty encounter with the league leaders.
The Swallows started very well once again and went two up after only 25 minutes with goals from front runner Simon Davies and midfielder Scott Thomas before the hosts hit back just after the break with a strike from George Colven and at this stage Crannog were the better side but they were hit on the break when a long ball upfield from Dean Jones was latched on to by Davies and he slipped the ball past Huw Morgan.
Crannog hit back again with a second goal from Colven to make it 3-2 and Dylan Davies almost equalised but a fantastic save by Llandysul keeper Jon Durbridge kept the former Magpies man out. Just as Crannog looked like getting something out of the game Davies was sent away down the touchline with another long ball from centre half Jones and he chipped Morgan to claim his hat trick. Crannog had another great chance late on when Dylan Davies set up his brother Rhys for a shot that was deflected away by a defenders arm and a good shout for a penalty and at the other end Davies and Adrian Hazelby brought smart saves from Huw Morgan before this entertaining match ended at 4-2 in favour of the visitors.
Cardigan Town produced another very skilful performance to beat New Quay 6-1 on a superb surface at Parc Arthur but it took the Magpies until half time before they managed to break down a dogged greens outfit. Sam Hall opened the visitors account when he tapped home from close range after Lee Burrows had seen his powerful shot half saved. Burrows added the second with drive from the edge of the box before the hosts hit back just before the break when midfielder Tj Gibbins netted. Town went further head on the hour when Hall grabbed his second and further goals from Town man of the match Ewan Jones and Iestyn Evans completed a well deserved win for Town against a Quay side that had a match day squad of 17 players available, this is very heartening after the problems they have encountered.
Luke Lovell inspired his Lampeter team to a comfortable 9-2 win over Bargod Rangers with a splendid hat trick at North Road but even the Lampeter skipper was outdone on this occasion as strike partner Gethin Hunter bagged four goals. Christy Gale and sub Scott Davies added further goals late on as Bargod crumbled under the pressure exerted by an impressive Lampeter team. Jay Shae and Josh Grota were on target for a visiting side desperate for a win but there is no let up for young manager Jack Fisher as his team play at Cardigan this weekend.
A scorcher of a shot from Sam Skinner with nine minutes to go earned Newcastle Emlyn a very hard fought 2-1 win away at Felinfach with the result in doubt until the final whistle.
There was very little to choose between the sides but it was the strength of the Emlyn bench that made the difference in the end with manager Gethin Davies able to bring Jake Harries and John Curran on in the second half allowing Skinner to push up front alongside Peter Almond and this paid dividends.
It took a penalty to eventually break the deadlock when Kieron Boyes was taken out by goalkeeper Ian Hamilton and Lee Forrester whose penalty was initially saved, reacted quickly to fire into the empty net.
Emlyn struck back almost immediately when Dion Davies was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home and there were plenty of chances after the break with Boyes hitting the woodwork and Davies going close before Skinner fired home the winner.
Cilgerran Rovers opened their home account with a 6-1 win over Aberaeron Reserves with talented front runner Louis Harding bagging a hat trick. Harding headed his first from a Steff Davies free kick and this was followed by a powerful header from skipper Gary Evans as the hosts dominated possession. Aberaeron rallied and bounced back to reduce the deficit but an excellent strike from Harding into the top corner put the hosts 3-1 at the break. Harding completed his hat trick on the hour following good work from Dai Williams and sub Aaron Williams and further goals from Jonny James and Aaron Williams completed a comfortable win.
Dewi Stars produced a very impressive performance to beat St Dogmaels at Llanddewi with none better for the Stars than Ifan Thomas who hit three goals. The Stars who were back to full strength in stark contrast to a Saints team currently struggling for players opened their account when the visitors audaciously pushed nearly all their team up for a corner on the half hour and were caught on the break when a long ball out of defence by Will Williams found Ifan Thomas and he rounded keeper Aaron Walters to score.
The Stars doubled their lead before the break when Gethin Williams put Thomas away for his second goal but Saints hit back after the interval when Marcus Dean fired home and they enjoyed a purple patch with Adam Betts pulling the strings in midfield ably supported by player manager Chris Thomas and skipper Jason Williams and Justin Smith at the back.
Gethin Thomas, playing his first game in nine months since suffering a knee injury hit a superb shot to put his team 3-1 up before his younger brother Ifan converted a penalty after Ryan Hurrell had been upended in the box to seal the win. Rhys Jones was presented with a late chance to reduce the deficit but his penalty was brilliantly saved by Carwyn Richards.