TOP TEAMS ON TROPHY HUNT

Ceredigion League and Cup action

Llandysul and Bont chasing a host of trophies.

Cup holders Crannog will head back to Llandysul today determined to make amends for a below par performance last weekend at Parc Tir Y Dref when they were knocked out of the J.Emrys Morgan Cup.

The 3-1 defeat flattered Llandysul but they were nevertheless deserved winners but it should be another tough test today and realistically the league cup may offer a final chance for Dylan Evans and his men to pick up a major trophy.

Memories of Easter Monday last year will still be fresh in the memory of the Crannog players as it was an excellent game against Bargod Rangers and the Llangrannog men would dearly love to retain this piece of silverware and take the trophy home for the third time in their history.

However as staggering as it may read, Llandysul have not lifted the League Cup since season 1979-80 and the Swallows will be well up for this  as the prospect of a day out at Aberaeron in a few week’s time is a something that the club is quietly relishing.

There are far more difficult competitions to win but a cup final on Cae Sgwar is still very special for players and supporters and many at Llandysul are already thinking about a football fest over the Easter period beginning with the final of the J.Emrys Morgan Cup on Good Friday and with the league championship already in the bag things are looking very rosy for manager Chris Davies and his squad.

If Crannog are to get through today they are going to have to keep the ball better than they did last weekend as they spent most of the opening fifty minutes giving the ball away. When they play to feet they are a match for any team in the area and the likes of Rhys Davies in the centre of midfield and brother Dylan are going to have to put their hands up today and show messrs Barrett,Maynard and Thomas that they can play a bit too. If they don’t they will be out.

Whoever wins today will face a very difficult semi final as Cardigan Town will provide the opposition and the Magpies with a full side will be very tough to beat.

In the other semi final Newcastle Emlyn and St Dogmaels will meet this Wednesday evening under the floodlights at Lampeter and this should be a very intriguing contest.

The match of the day in the Cambrian Tyres League Cup this afternoon is the clash between the top two teams in the first division, namely Bont and Bow Street Reserves. The Tangerines will go into this contest full of confidence after beating rivals Tregaron Turfs last weekend in the quarter final of the J.Emrys Morgan Cup but Bow Street have been in good form apart from a blip last time out when losing to Talybont in the Len and Julia Newman Cup.

The Magpies are only four points behind the long time leaders of the first division after closing the gap at the top with a succession of wins and they will fancy their chances this afternoon. This promises to be an entertaining affair but Bont, who like Llandysul are looking at a sackful of trophies this season may have too much for the visitors with the likes of Dewi Sion Evans, Lee Jones and Glyndwr Hughes in such great form.

The match of the day in Division One of the Costcutters is the local derby at the School Field where Cardigan Town are the visitors. The Magpies outplayed the Saints on Boxing Day and were well worth their comfortable win but it may well be very different today as St Dogmaels under new manager Steve Williams are much improved. The Saints midfield is far more influential with Rhys Jones and Adam Williams having formed an effective partnership since Williams moved back from Newcastle Emlyn and defensively the Saints are not giving away so many silly goals with skipper Jason Williams a tower of strength at the back.

Nothing much to play for in terms of league positions but plenty of local pride at stake and this should be a good contest.