Sportsline

SAINTS PULL CLEAR

Ceredigion Costcutter League:

St Dogmaels moved four points clear at the top of the table after they defeated their closest rivals Newcastle Emlyn by a couple of goals but Saints manager Steve Williams was adamant that the winning margin should have been much greater.

The reigning league champions missed a hat full of chances especially late on and this spoilt what had been an excellent performance: “We played some of our very best football and to be honest the score line flattered Newcastle Emlyn as we missed a load of chances.

“We were a bit lucky in the opening minutes as they should have gone ahead but after this initial scare our keeper had very little to do for the rest of the game and we were by far the better team.”

The reds could well have taken the lead in the opening minutes as they had two stabs at an easy chance but they were unable to capitalise and they were made to pay for this in the end.

Owen Williams opened the visitors account when he steered home a pin point cross from Josh Mellor on the quarter hour mark and this lead was doubled when Peter Almond headed home a cross from Adam Williams. The same scorer was presented with a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 just before half time but his headed effort went straight to the keeper.

The Saints dominated for large periods of the second half with Emlyn creating very few chances of note with defenders such as Dan Jones, Chris Morgan very solid and the best of the second half chances fell to the visitors, but they missed a couple of sitters late on to extend their lead.

At Parc Troedrhiw, Ffostrasol will feel they deserved something out of their game against Dewi Stars as they dominated proceedings but they had nothing to show for their efforts in the end.

The Wanderers, who are still without a win this season, started very brightly and took an early lead when Caleb Rees found space at the far post to head home from a corner.

The hosts enjoyed an abundance of chances to extend their advantage before the Stars settled, and just before the break they managed to level matters. Home custodian Steffan Jones made a fine save from a long range Siencyn Jones effort and the resulting corner saw Daniel Jones turn in the box to strike home for a score of 1-1.

Just a few minutes later the visitors doubled their account when Stars front runner Jones released the speedy David Beck, and keeper Jones seeing the danger ran out of his area to clear, but the clearance was volleyed ball back over the keeper’s head by striker Siencyn Jones for what proved to be the winner.

After the break it was one way traffic as Ffostrasol pushed for the equaliser but try as they might with both Alun Bowen and Gethin Davies having excellent games, Ffostrasol could not find a way through with none more impressive for the Stars than debutant Llion Herbert who at just 17 impressed with his cool defending.

The combination of poor finishing and excellent defending from keeper Rhodri Edwards and captain Steffan Owens saw the Stars hold out for three vital points.

James Evans

Cardigan Town coasted to a convincing win over neighbours Aberporth thanks to a fine collection of goals. Manager James Evans was of the opinion that the five they tucked away were amongst the best he has seen involving a Magpies team.

The visitors were 3-0 up at the break but they should have added another as Steff Davies missed a penalty. Evans was one of the players on target with a fine strike as was Liam Doherty and John Curran with two more beauties.

Further goals followed in the second half with Davies making amend for his earlier miss and Doherty netting, but the airmen played their part in a competitive forty five minutes with Aaron Eldridge and Jac Levine replying for Aberporth.

Two goals from Felinfach hot shot Rhys Jon James helped steer Felinfach to a 3-1 win over Llandysul. The milkmen whose form has been mixed to date doubled their season win count with this hard working performance against a team who are always difficult to beat. Experienced front runner Kieron Boyes was also on target whilst for Llandysul, midfielder Lewis Jones grabbed a consolation goal.

There was also a very welcome win for Crannog who managed to edge out Lampeter Town by a single George Colven goal.

Division Two

League leaders Maesglas ran out convincing winners over Aberaeron Reserves by 3-0. On target for them once again was league top scorer Rhodri George who now has eight goals to his name. There was one also for former Cardigan Town midfielder Tom Gardiner and John Midgley.

Basement side Crannog Reserves picked up their first point of the season following a 1-1 draw against Bargod Rangers. Jake Shakespeare was on target for the hosts whilst for Rangers Robbie Jenkins netted.

There was a win also for St Dogmaels Reserves who edged out their Lampeter counterparts by 3-2 after overcoming a two goal deficit. Osian Thomas bagged a brace for Saints and Jack Thomas was also on target for the greens.

Reserves Cup

Felinfach could only muster ten players for their trip to Maes Radley and they were reduced to just nine men in the second half but they still managed to give Maesglas a few problems before the hosts finally sealed the win.

Two goals from Chris Jones and one from Mike Painting helped pave the way to victory but Dan White and Leon Pane reduced the deficit to set up a nervy final few minutes before the Blues eventually won 3-2.