LATE GOALS KILL OFF REDS

Ceredigion Costcutter League round up

Division 1

Newcastle Emlyn appeared to be heading for a narrow win over St Dogmaels before two late goals changed the game and all but ended any hopes the reds had of winning the league title.

The hosts who are now six points behind leaders Lampeter Town had gone ahead through a first half goal from Dion Phillips, but they were undone in the final six minutes when St Dogmaels, who finished very strongly, bagged two goals through defender Mindugas Simkevicius with a header from a corner and central midfielder Adam Williams.

 

Emlyn will look back at some missed opportunities to kill the game off when leading and they were punished as the greens played patiently in a match well refereed by Wyn Roberts and more importantly took their chances when they arrived with Williams bagging his ninth league goal of the season with a very smart finish following excellent closing down by Louis Harding.

St Dogmaels who are on a splendid run of form are two points behind long time leaders Lampeter Town although Steve Williams and his men have played one game more.

On current form the Saints could snatch the title right at the death as they have beaten both Lampeter and Newcastle Emlyn in recent weeks and they are playing with plenty of confidence. They play Cilgerran on Tuesday night followed by Ffostrasol and Felinfach and if they win all three as is most likely the title could well be decided when Lampeter take on Newcastle Emlyn in the final league game of the season.

Lampeter though remain favourites after overcoming a sticky patch last month and they are unlikely to slip up again.

Ffostrasol were unable to repeat their magnificent midweek semi final win against Llandysul in the Dai Dynamo Cup after they went down to Dewi Stars in a seven goal thriller but unfortunately for the Stars they are still relegated.

The lead changed hands four times with the Llanddewi strugglers just edging it in the end. With several key players missing for most of the season for various reasons it is only now that the Stars are beginning to find some sort of form, but sadly they have run out of games.

The Stars made their customary slow start and it was Ffostrasol that deservedly took the lead when talented youngster Adam Jones found space on the edge of the box and struck a powerful drive passed the helpless Rhodri Edwards. This was the wake up call that the home team needed and on the half hour they equalised when Ifan Thomas was unceremoniously bundled over in the box and brother and captain Gethin Thomas stepped up giving young Steffan Jones no chance.

Ifan Thomas turned provider five minutes later as his deep cross was met by William Williams who powered his header into the top corner. Back though came Ffostrasol before the interval and confusion in the home rearguard saw the alert Dafydd Morgan equalise with a crisp shot to make it two all at the break.

The lead changed hands for the third time when on the hour Gethin Davies struck an excellent 35 yard free kick that totally deceived Rhodri Edwards who thought it was going wide. Back came the Stars and minutes later Ifan Thomas capitalised on a defensive slip up by the Wanderers to turn and hit a low drive to make it all square again and set up an exciting finale.

It was end to end stuff as the match closed out but it was the home team that got the all important seventh goal with less than ten minutes left when following a good move down the left William Williams was first to react to a loose ball in the box to secure maximum points for his team. Ffostrasol threw everything at the home defence in the final minutes but they held firm.

Both sides were full of praise for referee Meirion Evans who let the game flow throughout.

Felinfach ran out convincing winners over Cilgerran Rovers by 7-1 and the Rovers now look a dead cert for the drop into division two unless they can turn things around drastically.

In the only other game played Llandysul, who are on the look out for a new manager for next season overcame the challenge of Cardigan Town by 2-0. Larger than life Swallows boss Chris Coco Davies has stepped down following a very successful period but his team managed to get back to winning ways thanks to goals from Scott Jones and Lewis Jones

Division Two

A hat trick from midfielder Rhys Jenkins helped steer new league leaders Llanboidy to a 7-0 win over Lampeter Reserves at Cae Dandre. The Carmarthenshire based side are now level on points with Bargod Rangers but Llanboidy have a better goal difference. Also on target for them was Martyn Owen who poached a couple of goals and there were singles for Celt Jones and Emyr Lewis.

Cup action.

In the second round of the South Cards Cup Maesglas edged out Bargod Rangers following a penalty shoot out by 7-6 whilst in the Percy Eldridge Cup Newcastle Emlyn Reserves went through to the semi finals after they fired five past Ffostrasol Reserves with Danny Williams the hero of the hour with a well taken hat trick. Others to find the net were Gethin Harries and Kez Pennell.