Costcutter Cup and League round up.
Felinfach and Crannog on the road to Easter Monday Final.
League Cup
Quarter Finals
Crannog booked their place in the semi final of the League Cup but they were forced to pull out all the stops before they overcame the challenge of Llanboidy at a mud filled Cae Dandre.
The division one high fliers sneaked through when Rhys Davies fired home deep into extra time but this game probably should not have been completed such was the state of the pitch following huge downpours in the opening forty five minutes.
The visitors appeared to be on the way to a comfortable win after the opening quarter as they were two goals up thanks to Gary Davies and Robbie Evans and deservedly so after playing some excellent football. They really should have put the game to bed as Evans missed a sitter of a header from a few yards out which would have made it 3-0 and seemingly game over.
However following some bench changes after the interval with Rhodri Lewis,Frazer Wyatt and Dafydd Vaughan joining the fold Llanboidy hit back with three goals in quick succession from Bartosz Kasperski, Celt Thomas Jones and Jac Griffiths and Crannog looked to be going out until veteran striker Gary Davies stepped up with just a few minutes left to equalise and send the game into extra time.
There was further drama in the added thirty minutes as Crannog went ahead through George Colven before Kasperski levelled matters and it took a very late goal from Rhys Davies to decide the tie.
Just less than two years ago Felinfach striker Lewis Evans was in hospital recovering from open heart surgery but the popular footballer has bravely fought his way back to full health and on Saturday his two goals helped clinch a place in the semi finals after his team accounted for Aberaeron Reserves by 3-0.
Evans, who has only recently returned to play football, opened the scoring mid-way through the first half with a cool finish against local rivals Aeron but as expected ,there was very little to choose between the teams in the opening forty five. Joe Jenkins doubled the scoring on the hour mark with another super finish and this was the least the striker deserved after a tireless shift all afternoon up front.
To make matters worse for the visitors they were reduced to ten men after Neil Evans who was already on a yellow, brought down Rhys James, who was clean through on goal. The match was sealed with just ten minutes to go when Evans found the net once again with another cool finish after being picked out at the back post by winger Rhys Davies. Aberaeron to their credit knocked the ball around well at times but didn’t really create any chances of real note. Felinfach will meet Crannog in the next round for a place in the Easter Monday showdown.
The match between Maesglas and Llandysul was called off.
Percy Eldridge Cup
St Dogmaels reached the latter stages of the Percy Eldridge Cup after they accounted for Llanboidy Reserves by 5-2 at the School Field. Luke Jones led the way with a brace of goals to cap a fine performance and there was a goal apiece for veteran front runner Johnny James, Elliot Wigley and Justin Williams.
Costcutter Division One
Cardigan Town picked up their fourth win of the season to keep them just above the drop zone. This 7-0 success over bottom side Bargod Rangers was thoroughly deserved although there was little to choose between the teams at the break.
However Town upped the tempo after the interval and netted several goals in quick succession through Ewan Jones who claimed a hat trick, Steff Williams, Josh Mellor and speedy winger Llion Williams who bagged a brace.
The eagerly awaited clash between reigning champions Lampeter Town and current leaders St Dogmaels was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Division Two
Dewi Stars will make a speedy return to division one of the Costcutter League after they secured the division two title on Saturday.
The Stars who defeated closest rivals Aberporth by 4-1 will move back up to the higher etchelon after spending just one season in division two. The stars opened up the season with a couple of draws but since then they have gone on a ten match winning run to clinch the title with two games remaining.
Back in July, the future of this small village club was in doubt with the exodus of several players to neighbouring clubs and rugby. But they rallied, mainly through the sterling efforts of popular manager John Jones and another crop of youngsters, and on Saturday they got their deserved reward. Jones has been a manager for an incredible thirty years, having spent time with Bont as well as the Stars and he is a rare breed and many young footballers are indebted to him for giving them an opportunity to play.
In torrential rain,the Stars took the lead on 20 minutes after they were finally awarded a penalty following two previous appeals. Up stepped Gethin Thomas to beat the diving Ryan Banks low in the corner. The lead though was short lived when a few minutes later Dan Nichol rose to score an excellent headed equaliser from a corner.
The tense affair remained level until the 70th minute, with Aberporth, needing to win, stretching Steffan Owens and co at the back but with young 17 year old Iestyn Edwards handling the slippery ball with confidence behind them, they held firm.
The introduction of Tomos Jones and Rhys Evans gave the Stars more attacking options and very soon after this the division’s leading scorer, Ifan Thomas turned sharply to fire home beyond Banks’ outstretched hand.
At 2-1 it was still a close affair as Aberporth rallied, but the goal of the match, and worthy of winning any league was scored by 17 year old Siencyn Jones. After beating several would be tacklers some 25 yards out, he advanced to the edge of the box and let fly with the ball dipping under the crossbar at the last second for a memorable title clincher. Wild scenes followed, but immediately after the restart Tomos Jones was unceremoniously upended in the box and up stepped Gethin Thomas to hammer the resulting penalty home for his second ,his team’s fourth and the Stars first trophy in 13 seasons.
New Quay registered their third win in succession after they accounted for Llandysul Reserves by 3-2 with Jonyon Evans and Glenn Baldwin amongst the goal scorers for Quay.
Division Three
Five goals from veteran striker Rhydian Roberts helped steer division three leaders Crannog to a comfortable victory over Felinfach Reserves by 9-1. Roberts proved to be a real handful all afternoon with his goal poaching and others to score were Jordan Owens, Tony McDonald, Ben Thomas and Dan Robinson.