STARS EDGED OUT BY LOCAL RIVALS

Ceredigion Costcutter League round up

Lampeter kept their slim championship hopes alive when they edged a seven goal thriller in the local derby against Dewi Stars in front of another large crowd at Llanddewi.

The Town team started far sharper as the Stars seemingly had left their energy up in Caersws after their exploits the previous week and they soon raced into a two goal lead as first of all Gethin Hunter reacted quicker than anyone else to a loose ball in the box and this was quickly followed by a rare headed goal from Steven Lovell as he nodded home a pin point cross.

The hosts though dug in and eventually settled and fought their way back in to the game and despite fielding a crop of teenagers, it was veteran Andrew Jones who set up the come back when he released Steffan Owens who drilled a low shot from an acute angle giving custodian Jason Davies no chance.

The Stars drew level with the best goal of the game and it was once again initiated by veteran Jones who controlled a high ball and released Ben Biddulph in one movement and Biddulph, celebrating his 18th birthday hit a dipping volley from the edge of the box which flew in via the underside of the crossbar for his first ever senior goal.

Just before the break Lampeter hit back and regained the lead when Gethin Davies curled in a free kick from 25 yards, which just eluded Rhodri Edwards as it flew in off his near post.

The second half was end to end as the Stars pushed hard for the equaliser, but it was Lampeter who regained the two-goal cushion as Daniel Harrison netted from a hotly disputed corner.

Back came the Stars as William Williams hit the crossbar, before he was bundled over in the box to earn a penalty for the home team. Lampeter keeper Davies dived superbly to his right to deny Steffan Owens but the ball rebounded straight back to the feet of Owens who gratefully accepted a second opportunity.

The final ten minutes were hectic as one team went for the equaliser and the other went all out to extend their lead, but the game ended in the visitors favour.

The young Stars may not be anywhere near trophy winning material, but for pure excitement and value for money, Llanddewi is the place to be at present.

While there were many fine individual performances all over the pitch, there were none better than the battle between the Stars young central defensive partnership of Ryan Hurrell and Marc Jones against the constant threat of Luke Lovell and Gethin Hunter.

League leaders Llandysul coasted to a comfortable win over New Quay but Swallows manager Chris Davies rested a few players with an eye on their crunch Emrys Morgan Cup quarter final with Crannog this weekend.

Davies made a couple of changes bringing in Danny Williams and Andrew Evans and it was the latter who started the game well and provided the first two goals. The first of these came when Evans provided a superb cross for Ian Barrett to head home after 17 mins and then shortly afterwards Evans hit a thunderbolt from 30 yards which rebounded off the crossbar for Lewis Jones to drive home for 2-0.

It was pretty much one way traffic after this with New Quay having the odd break but not causing any real threat to the Llandysul goal.

The second half had barely started when Scott Thomas beat two players and finished brilliantly into the top corner and further goals came via Adrian Hazelby, Chris Harris, Lewis jones and Terry Maynard with a well placed finish on the volley from a great ball by Jones.

Division Two  

Second division title favourites Ffostrasol took full advantage of the slip up by title rivals Maesglas with a 13-0 win over SDUC.

The Wanderers have now reduced the gap at the top to just three points and crucially they have three games in hand over the Blues.

Front runner Carwyn Morgan helped himself to four of the goals and there was a hat trick for Gwynfor Bowen. Others to find the net were Gethin Davies who bagged a brace and Marc Bowen, Dion Davies, Dafydd Morgan and Iolo Thomas who registered singles.

A thunderous shot from Ricky Woods-Holmes in the dying minutes of a very entertaining division two clash saved the day for Maesglas and it may well have saved their title hopes.

Llanboidy were the better side in the opening minutes and took the lead when midfielder Rhys Jenkins fired in from close range. The Blues enjoyed the best of the early chances after the break and they were rewarded when their man of the match Billy Myers volleyed over Llanboidy keeper Bleddyn Williams.

Chris Bowen fired Llanboidy back into the lead but the Blues equalises late on when from a corner the ball fell to RickyWoods-Holmes and he fired the ball into the net to steal a share of the points.

In the Percy Eldridge Cup Crannog edged out their Felinfach counterparts by 3-2.