Ceredigion Costcutter League.
There was high drama in the eagerly awaited clash between Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul after the title favourites fought back from 3-0 down to win an amazing match that will last in the memories of supporters for some time.
The reigning champions looked down and out when they went three goals behind against the reds with just half an hour gone but the swallows hit back and produced a champions performance to win this nail biting affair by 5-4.
Manager Chris Coco Davies who admitted that he had delivered a few choice words at the half time break with his team 3-1 down commented :”What a comeback by us and what a game.
“I have to say Emlyn were very good first half and outplayed us, but we know the fight and belief we have, I think every supporter in the ground last night thought it was game over at 3-0, but not us.
“My players were superb during that second half and that result will live long in the memory of everyone who was there, hats off to my players. Very proud’
Reds manager Owain Thomas was unsurprisingly very disappointed although he was able to take plenty of positives despite the defeat and said:” Yes it was very frustrating, because I felt we played well enough to get at least a point out of the game. However conceding a free header from a corner just before half time didn’t help but I couldn’t fault everyone’s commitment as they gave everything.
“The big plus I think is that we have closed the gap this season between us and Llandysul and we will use this experience and disappointment to push us forward this season.”
The reds were outstanding early on and Daniel Davies fired the hosts into the lead with a superb shot before his twin brother Dion doubled the lead when he fired home into the bottom corner of the net and minutes later the same player netted with another super shot to make it 3-0.
Emlyn were running riot at this stage and another goal would certainly have killed the game. However the visitors struck just before the break when an Adrian Hazelby corner was met by Dean Jones and his bullet header reduced the gap to 3-1 at the break.
Llandysul gradually got on top and a curling ball into the box from defender Josh Baker caused a mix up in the box and the ball ended up in the net. Soon after midfielder Ben Thomas intercepted a ball on the half way and he broke away and let fly from the edge of the box to make it 3-3. The inspirational midfielder added another ten minutes later when he rose high to head home a pin point free kick from Dean Jones and the game was turned on its head when Lewis Jones put Llandysul 5-3 ahead with a great volley which dipped over the keeper.
Emlyn hit back and forced keeper John Durbridge into making a top quality save which proved crucial as with 10 minutes left captain Ian Barrett saw yellow for the second time in the game and was sent off. This allowed Emlyn back in and they were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty but they did manage to score one more goal when Daniel Davies tapped home from a Jake Kelly cross in the dying minutes.
Cardigan Town looked set for a narrow win over arch rivals St Dogmaels until Adam Williams stepped up to fire home a long range free kick late on, in a game the visitors should have won with the chances they created.
New signing from Cilgerran Louis Harding missed three gilt edged chances for the Saints and midfielder Rhys Jones was unlucky not to bag a couple with two excellent headers that brushed the crossbar.
It was Town though who settled the best with midfielder Ben Davies and defender John Lumb outstanding and the Magpies defence now missing former manager Steve Blackford and skipper Iestyn Evans who have departed to Goodwick United looked more than comfortable with anything thrown at them and were well worth their lead when Josh Mellor let fly with a superb shot. However the visitors gradually grew into the game and kept the ball more efficiently and they created a hat-ful of chances but were unable to convert until Williams stepped up to save the day.
Lampeter Town who were long time candidates to win the league championship last season enjoyed a 3-0 win over neighbours Dewi Stars thanks to goals from Jason Jones Christy Gale and Robbie Janes.
On Wednesday evening Crannog got their season off to a flier following a 3-1 success over a Cilgerran Rovers outfit that have lost a clutch of players and who were almost forced to pull out of the league.
Former saints striker Anthony Murtagh was on target for the hosts but goals from George Colven, Gary Davies and Mathew Smith sealed a well deserved win for the Llangrannog men who are now managed jointly by Huw Reed and Gary Davies following the resignation of Dylan Evans in the summer. Rovers though created some decent chances and were unlucky to see two Mike Diggle efforts rebound off the crossbar and to have a goal disallowed.
Aberaeron Reserves defeated Felinfach by 5-3 in the Aeron derby with Lamin Manjang, Iwan Jones, Ollie Edwards, Jack Chetwynd and former Felinfach favourite Kieron Boyes netting for the visitors.
In division two New Quay made a bright start to the new campaign with a well deserved 4-0 success over Crannog Reserves. Nathan Davies, Charles Lloyd Harvey, Glenn Baldwin and former club manager Jonyon Evans were the scorers.
A late penalty helped salvage a point for Maesglas at Maes Radley. The Blues went behind to a goal from Rhys Evans before the Blues hit back with a Kieran Harman penalty to earn a share of the spoils.
Llandysul Reserves, who lifted the league and cup double last season made a promising debut in their new division with a comfortable 4-0 win over Newcastle Emlyn Reserves. Front runner Chris Harries was the hero for the hosts as he bagged a hat trick and there was a goal also for teen Nathaniel Davies.
Bargod Rangers also enjoyed a successful start as they beat Aberporth 4-2.Josh Grota was on target with two goals and Jay Shae and Dan Evans netted the others.
