Cardigan Town pulled off the shock result of the weekend when a late goal from John Lumb ended the long unbeaten run of reigning champions Llandysul at the King George field.
The swallows who went through the last league campaign without losing a game hadn’t tasted defeat for thirteen months and this was only their fifth loss in 47 league matches since manager Chris ‘Coco’ Davies took charge.
Davies was naturally unimpressed with the result and said:” I was disappointed with our performance especially going forward as we didn’t get the ball down and play.
“Once I get everyone back we will hopefully kick on again but this season I think one of six teams could win the league trophy!”
The heavy rain that fell prior to kick off made life difficult with the greasy conditions resulting in a scrappy opening half and Llandysul who were without Simon Davies, Scott Thomas and new signings Ryan Evans and Gethin Davies took the lead when an Adrian Hazelby corner was met by a firm Terry Maynard header.
Cardigan who were expected to struggle in midfield without their two key playmakers in Ben Davies and Emlyn George came back strongly after the break and dominated territorially with Liam James, Tomos Toft and Ewan Jones prominent.
Swallows centre back Dean Jones and midfielder Maynard were forced to come to the rescue on several occasions as was keeper Jon Durbridge as the Town teens took the game to their more experienced opponents.
An equaliser eventually arrived ten minutes from the end when the ball was scrambled home by promising teenager Llion Williams following good work from front runner Jones.
Cardigan grew in confidence from then on and sensing victory they took full advantage of a slip up in defence and Lumb was in the right place at the right time to steer the ball home past Durbridge. Ian Barret was presented with a late chance to equalise but the Magpies cleared the danger and hung on for the three points.
League leaders Newcastle Emlyn looked down and out against Aberaeron Reserves when they found themselves two goals behind with ten minutes to play. However a late fight back earned them a 5-5 draw at Cae Sgwar.
The reds who were missing several key players went ahead when Craig Gordon netted but the seagulls hit back with a goal from Llywelyn Lloyd and they followed this up with two quick fire goals from Ollie Edwards and Lamin Manjang to go 3-1 up. With just seconds left of the first half Emlyn pulled a goal back through Jake Kelly when he was first to react in the box and he and his team levelled just after half time when Dion Phillips scored from long range.
Aberaeron though rallied and regained the lead through striker Kieron Boyes and as the reds pushed hard for an equaliser the seagulls broke away and Rhydian Davies fired home to put his team 5-3 ahead and on course for victory. However a late rally saw goals from Phillips and Ashley Summers bring this exciting contest to an end with the honours shared.
There was also stalemate at Parc Y Dre where Cilgerran Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Dewi Stars in another entertaining contest. Both sides went into this game without a point and determined to kick start their season and despite an abundance of chances the deadlock was not broken until midway through the second half.
The Stars who included eleven teenagers in their squad had the best chance to open the scoring but a penalty from Siencyn Jones was well saved by Dan Phillips. At the other end Rhodri Edwards made a number of excellent saves before both Arwel Jones and Ryan Hurrell were denied a goal by custodian Phillips.
A goal finally arrived when John Williams netted for the Coraclemen after a mistake in defence but instead of wilting, the young Stars came back strongly and with ten minutes remaining a Stars corner was headed clear but only as far as Siencyn Jones who struck a half volley from the edge of the box into the bottom corner for the equaliser and his first goal at senior level.
The last ten minutes were frantic as both teams went for the winner and Cilgerran hit the post twice and had a goal disallowed for offside, while the Stars had chances through two other 16 year olds in Oscar Cayo Evans and Rupert Geddes, only to be thwarted by last ditch tackles in the box.
St Dogmaels were edged out by a single goal in a very tight contest at the School Field against Lampeter Town. The saints who were previously unbeaten enjoyed a few early chances but Lampeter grew into the game and there was little to choose between the teams at the break. Rhys Jones was unlucky not to score with fifteen minutes to go when his well timed shot bounced back off the woodwork and just three minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty when Jason Jones was fouled and Terry Witts stroked the ball home to put his team ahead. St Dogmaels pushed hard in the dying minutes but Lampeter held them off to remain unbeaten.
Felinfach made it two wins in a row after they accounted for Ffostrasol by 3-0.This well matched contest started quite slowly with both teams cancelling each other out early on but the visitors gradually got on top and went ahead when Rhys James volleyed home from a corner.
The Milkmen dominated the game from there on in and doubled their lead after an excellent passing move was rounded off by lone striker Kevin Taylor, who side-footed effort made it 2-0 at half-time. Ffostrasol were limited to long-range efforts after the break as they went in search of a goal but they rarely troubled Felin goalkeeper Tomos James. Taylor should have bagged another after Owain Dafydd was put clean through on goal but he opted to square it to Taylor who had the goal at his mercy but passed the ball wide. Taylor though made up for his error soon after with a superb touch and volley to lob the on-rushing keeper to seal an impressive win for Felinfach.
Division 2
Bargod Rangers kept their 100% record intact with a thumping win over Lampeter Reserves. The visitors who were playing their first game of the new season went behind after just twelve minutes when left back Rhydian Davies hit the target with a superb shot from a narrow angle. Five minutes later Lampeter were back on level terms when Gareth Young netted with a free header from a corner. Rangers though quickly regained the lead when sharpshooter Jay Shae fired home and Dan Evans added another soon afterwards with a crashing header from close range.
The Parc Puw men then killed the game off with further goals from Jay Shae and Evans giving their side a comfortable 5-1 lead.
Lampeter rallied after the break with their youngsters who were well marshalled by evergreen veteran Tommy Lovell playing some attractive football, passing well in tight situations and looking comfortable on the ball but the outcome was never really in any doubt as Josh Grota beat three defenders to add a sixth, quickly followed by a brace for super sub Josh Kelly, the first of these a powerful shot into the corner and the second a volley from a super cross from Shae to make it 8-1.
Llanboidy fired six past New Quay without reply to remain in contention with Bargod at the top of the division. Two goals from Rhys Jenkins and man of the match Tomos Rogers and singles from Caleb Young and Dafydd Makepeace saw them comfortably through for the victory.
Aberporth enjoyed a convincing 4-1 win over Maesglas with goals from Kyle Jones, Reece Prowse, Daniel Davies and an own goal with Jack Thomas replying for the Blues and Newcastle Emlyn Reserves picked up their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Crannog Reserves thanks to goals from Cory Davies and Dorian Davies.
In the Reserves Cup local derby an experienced St Dogmaels outfit were far too strong for Maesglas and ran out winners by 8-2 at Maes Radley. Veteran striker Jonny James bagged a hat trick, Tom Phillips added two more and there were goals also for Dom Williams, Luke Jones and Osian Thomas. Aled James and Aaron Hopkins replied for the hosts.
The points were shared at Cae Dandre where Llanboidy were held to a 4-4 draw by Ffostrasol Reserves. Jamie Morris with two, Elis Williams and Ross McDonald were on target for the hosts whilst for Ffostrasol,Cai Edwards, Dyfrig Davies, Josh Hastie and Hywel Davis provided the goals.
