Good Friday 2016 will live long in the memory of Llandysul manager Chris ‘Coco’ Davies and both his players and supporters as it was a day of missed opportunity and will be a monkey on his back for a long time to come unless his team are given a second bite of the cherry
This was the day when his team battered Llanfair United almost into submission in the final of the J.Emrys Morgan Cup final at Cae Baker but they came away with nothing after their opponents pulled off one of the great escapes.
Llandysul who missed more chances in that game than they have all this season were given a life line with just a few minutes remaining after they had gone behind to a goal very much against the run of play. However the penalty kick from Dean Jones was fluffed and the Montgomeryshire side duly went back up the field and scored their second and it was game over.
Today Davies and his men re-enter this competition and they will no doubt draw from those memories as they prepare for their game against Llanymynech this afternoon.
The affable Swallows coach saw his team lose their first game of the season last weekend away at Crannog and they are going to be up against it again today as they have been deprived of the services of midfielders Terry Maynard through injury and Ben Thomas through suspension as well as front runner Adrian Hazelby who hasn’t recovered from a recent injury.
Parc Tir y Dref visitors Llanymynech ironically lay just a point below Llanfair Reserves in Division One of the Montgomeryshire League and their form has been poor and they also have a few key players unable to travel today and they will not fancy this trip to Ceredigion on the back of a poor showing last weekend against Caersws Reserves.
Llandysul will be confident of getting their J.Emrys Morgan Cup trail up and running in a positive manner and centre back Jones who has been very consistent this season and has scored seven league goals, will have more reason than most to get his team safely into the fourth round and just three games away from the Easter showdown.
Crannog have reached the final of this competition on two occasions, the last of these was two years ago when they were beaten by one of the finest Cardigan Town sides possibly ever in the history of the King George club and the best this observer has seen.
Their confidence will have been boosted hugely by their victory over Costcutter leaders Llandysul and they are more than capable of getting to their third final this season. Their opponents Llangedwyn are currently struggling in Division Two of the Montgomery League and Mike Glover and co should come through for a win.
Cardigan Town, winners of this competition on two occasions previously face a tricky obstacle in Felinfach and Iestyn Evans and his men will have their hands full here as will former winners St Dogmaels who have a very proud record in this competition. The Saints tackle Bont at Maes Radley and this promises to be one of the best games of the day on the excellent Maesglas FC strip.
Division Two leaders Ffostrasol who last lifted this trophy back in 1975 will relish the visit of Berriew Reserves to Parc Troedrhiw as the Wanderers are in a rich vein of form whilst tough matches await Dewi Stars who tackle Brecon Northcote,Cilgerran who face Llanilar, Pencader who travel to Llanon, Llanboidy who entertain Tregaron and Aberaeron who travel north to Llanidloes.
Lampeter Town who have been knocked out of the J.Emrys Morgan take on Dolgellau Reserves in the Cwpan Dai Dynamo without the services of centre backs Paul Simmons,Gareth Williams and Carwyn Gregson as well as in form striker Gethin Hunter who injured himself in midweek. Another not available is Christy Gale but cousins Luke and Steve Lovell are expected to return today for what will be a difficult encounter.
There is only one match in division one of the Costcutter League with Newcastle Emlyn entertaining a New Quay side who picked up their first win of the season last weekend. The reds though should be far too strong for the seasiders and expect them to make up some ground on the teams above them at the top.
In Division Two Maesglas need to get back to winning ways after losing out to title rivals Ffostrasol last time out although they won’t find it easy against Aberporth.
Just one game in the Reserves Cup with second placed side Lampeter Reserves taking on Ffostrasol Reserves and a win for the hosts will leave them just a point adrift of leaders Llandysul Reserves with both having played nine games.
