SAINTS ON THE MARCH

Ceredigion Costcutter League Round Up.

Division 1

St Dogmaels blew the race for the title wide open after they inflicted a first league defeat of the season on leaders Lampeter Town.

This heavy loss by three goals to nil has now opened the door to Newcastle Emlyn who can catch the north road men if they win their games in hand. Manager Terry Jones and his men could well be edged out again just as they were at Cardigan two years ago if they don’t turn things around and get back to winning ways.

The Saints were far better all across the park and appeared far more up for this physical encounter against a side that have been very impressive all season but who are in the middle of a tricky run with three defeats on the bounce.

Outstanding for the School Field outfit was front runner Louis Harding who is now showing the huge promise that he hinted at when he played for the Magpies a few years ago and his running both on and off the ball was superb. His goal in the second half was very classy and proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the visitors.

The hosts took the game to Lampeter from the start and scored in the opening few minutes but this was disallowed by referee Neil Lewis for offside but a goal eventually came when the visitors defence were caught napping and Peter Almond sneaked in and rounded the keeper to slot home. Centre half and skipper Jason Williams added a second with a bicycle kick from the edge of the box which surprised him as much as it did his team mates and Lampeter were at sixes and sevens at this stage.

Up the other end Christy Gale had a decent shot well saved by Carl Woodhouse but chances were very scarce with front runner Jason Jones forced to chase lost causes as his colleagues continually pumped long balls up field that more often than not ended up in the car park.

Rhys Jones, who also had an impressive match along side Adam Williams in midfield was presented with a glorious chance of wrapping up the game but his well struck penalty rebounded off the woodwork and away from danger.

However this mattered little as Harding scored the goal of the match from an acute angle to kill off the visitors with fifteen minutes to go and Lampeter who looked a shadow of the side of a few months ago had very little to offer on this occasion but they will surely bounce back.

Two goals from Lee Forrester earned Felinfach a 2-1 win over Cilgerran Rovers and at Parc Troedrhiw a brace of goals from Gethin Davies help steer Ffostrasol to a 2-1 success over Dewi Stars.

In midweek Llandysul warmed up nicely for their League Cup Final with Newcastle Emlyn with a 3-0 win over Ffostrasol.

The Swallows who are also in with a shout of lifting the championship trophy along with the Saints were forced to work hard for their three points as Ffostrasol battled hard and had the better of the first half creating a few chances but none of them really troubled keeper Jon Durbridge.

However the deadlock was eventually broken when a Dean Jones free kick seemed to deceive the keeper and it landed in the net. Llandysul were far sharper after the break and following some smart work by Josh Baker on the edge of the box he finished emphatically into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. A third soon followed when Chris Harris latched onto a through ball to finish clinically for a goal that knocked the stuffing out of Ffostrasol and it was game over.

Team of the moment Newcastle Emlyn also enjoyed a win in the week as they defeated Felinfach by 7-2. Adrian Hazelby bagged a hat trick for the reds, roving full back Matthew Goodman added two more and there were goal also for Ashley Summers and Daniel Davies.