Cardigan Town striker Josh Mellor was the toast of his team mates on Saturday night as the teenage front runner poached a hat trick for the Magpies against Felinfach. The milkmen who have a very young side were impressive early on and made Cardigan work hard but their inability to hold the ball up ensured that Town dominated possession for long periods with non better for them than Ben Davies at centre back and Liam James in midfield.
Cardigan enjoyed the best of the early chances with Tom Gardener, Liam James, Emlyn George and Mellor all going close with long range shots. The deadlock was eventually broken when Mellor netted to add to the superb goal he scored against St Dogmaels in midweek and the same player added two more in the second half to see his team through safely for the three points.
Division new boys Ffostrasol pushed Llandysul all the way at Parc Troedrhiw before the reigning champions sneaked through with a goal from Adrian Hazelby.
The Wanderers who impressed many with the quality of their football last season made life difficult for Chris ‘Coco’ Davies and his team and there were a few tasty challenges with front runner Simon Davies coming in for some close attention. The visitors who were missing six regulars were forced to defend for long periods and were not really at the races during a lack lustre performance but they battled away and managed to secure the three points when Hazelby netted to make it two wins from two starts.
St Dogmaels were far more efficient in front of goal on the weekend and unlike against Cardigan Town in midweek they took their chances although they were forced to come from a goal down. Former Felinfach raider Keiron Boyes was the scorer after he took advantage of some sloppy play in defence on twenty minutes to put Aberaeron ahead.
Experienced campaigner Ioan Owen equalised just before the break after he skipped past two defenders before sending a super shot high into the net.
A half time lecture from manager Steve Williams produced a far better performance after the interval and the greens scored three goals in the opening few minutes. New signing Louis Harding grabbed the first with a superb finish and this was followed up by goals from Rhys Jones and John Midgley to break the hearts of the Aeron players.
Further goals followed from Adam Williams, Tom Phillips, Chris Morgan and impressive 16 year old Iwan James to complete the scoring at 8-1. Simon Bray pinched one back with a couple of minutes to go but full credit to Aberaeron as they made life difficult for the Saints especially early on. Outstanding for the hosts were Adam Williams and veteran Ioan Owen.
Newcastle Emlyn bounced back positively following a narrow defeat against Llandysul to beat Dewi Stars by 5-1. The reds had eight players unavailable due to holidays but they started brightly with Jake Kelly and Dion Davies causing problems with their pace and trickery and it was Kelly who put the visitors ahead when he headed home. Kelly added another from the penalty spot and Daniel Davies then increased the lead and defender George Lowry made it 4-0 with his first goal for Emlyn.
The Stars pulled a goal back with an impressive effort from the edge of the box before Daniel Davies added his second of the game to complete a comfortable win. The home side had another late chance to reduce the deficit late on but stand in keeper John Curran pulled off a fine save.
Former Pencader favourites Craig Gordon and Daniel DJ Jones made their full debuts for the reds and acquitted themselves well.
The honours were shared between Lampeter Town and Crannog but the visitors had to fight their way back from two goals down. The Llangrannog men who were missing several players through suspension and injury took a two goal lead against the run of play through George Colven and Dylan Davies but they were forced to work hard in defence as the visitors applied the pressure and Rhys Davies and Mike Glover were outstanding at the back.
Town eventually found the net when they were awarded a penalty after the ball appeared to have dropped on to Glover’s hand from a throw with about fifteen minutes to go and Terry Witts netted and Lampeter kept pressing in the final few minutes and the ball was scrambled home by Jason Jones to square the match at 2-2.
Division 2
Maesglas looked good for their one goal lead early on in this game at Parc Puw, but it all went pear shaped when they conceded five goals in the final ten minutes of the first half and it was game over.
The Blues started very well and took the lead and they could have gone further ahead ten minutes later, but this time keeper Ollie Humphreys was equal to it by turning a fierce shot over the crossbar.
Bargod eventually settled and gradually got on top and a well worked free kick from Rhydian Davies caught the visiting keeper napping and Rangers were back on equal terms. Five minutes later young Jay Shae put the ball wide of the keeper to edge Bargod ahead and then amazingly the same player added another three to his tally to take the score to 5-1 . With a minute left of the half Kelly added another to make it 6-1 at the break.
Bargod supporters were expecting to see another flurry of goals in the second half but it was not to be as Maesglas were far more organised and cancelled out most of Rangers efforts or at least made sure that all of their goal bound efforts were from long range.
The hosts on the other hand were guilty of giving away the ball in and around the danger area and it wasn’t until the last quarter of the game that they scored their one and only goal of the half when Shae crossed for Dan Evans to head home powerfully to end the scoring for the afternoon at 7-1.
Both teams were grateful to Paul Jones who had turned up to spectate the game, for taking up the whistle as the original referee failed to turn up.
Llandysul Reserves started life in their new division with a 4-0 win over Newcastle Emlyn Reserves in midweek but they came crashing back down to earth at Cae Dandre as Llanboidy hit them for six. The Swallows were deprived of a number of players due to their first team being short and they struggled against a well organised Llanboidy outfit. Rhys Jenkins bagged a brace of goals and the others were supplied by Caleb Young, Rhys Evans,Tom Rogers and Emyr Lewis.
