Ceredigion Costcutter League round up.
Division One
Title chasers Cardigan and St Dogmaels both carried their consistency into the New Year with well deserved wins and it is going to take a special performance to end the unbeaten league run of these two teams.
The eagerly awaited match between the local rivals scheduled for Boxing Day was postponed and the result of this re arranged game could well decide the destiny of the Norman Llewellyn Memorial League Trophy.
Dewi Stars tried their utmost to spoil the party and catch Cardigan cold after their long festive break and they were very unlucky at times as they hit the woodwork and saw several goal bound strikes well saved by young keeper Steff Marston before the Magpies wrapped the game up.
The youthful Stars side, who have suffered a few heavy defeats of late, gave an excellent account of themselves and the final four goal margin did them a little injustice. The hosts opened brightly and had two gilt edged chances early on but Rhodri Morgan put his first effort wide of an empty goal and minutes later he hit the crossbar.The hosts responded and on the half hour took the lead when James Evans curled in a beauty into the bottom corner from the edge of the box and John Lumb doubled the lead before the interval with a powerful header from a corner.
The Stars stuck to their task and did not allow their heads to go down and David Beck won the chase for a loose ball but veteran defender Steve Blackford read the danger and cleared from the line. Town front runner Liam Doherty finally got on the score sheet late on when he pounced on a defensive slip to make the result safe and Ben Davies hit a screamer to complete the win, but not before keeper Marston made a magnificent save from a Gethin Thomas long range effort to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Cardigan were deserved winners but the Stars can take heart from this much improved performance as they strive to remain in the top division in their first season back. The notable factor of the game is that it was played in excellent spirit with the visitors full of praise to their opponents who included nine youth players in their match day squad.
Leaders St Dogmaels were forced to come from a goal down to overcome the challenge of Felinfach and consolidate their lead at the top. Lewis Evans fired the milkmen ahead in the opening half and they could well have doubled their lead but this all changed after the break when outstanding midfielder Rhys Jones equalised and very soon afterwards he added a second. Further goals followed through youngster Harvey Williams and Adam Williams and it was all Saints from this stage. Front runner Peter Almond made it 5-1 as he and his team dominated and they hit the woodwork on three occasions in the second half.
Fourth placed Lampeter Town enjoyed a two goal success over near neighbours Llandysul with Robert Slawkovski and Christy Gale providing the goals.
Division Two leaders New Quay also made a very positive start to the New Year with a crushing win over bottom side Lampeter Reserves.
On form for the seasiders was front runner Glenn Baldwin who bagged a brace and also on target were Sam Romas, David Evans and Jack Chetwynd. There was also a comfortable win for a ten man Bargod Rangers who fired three past St Dogmaels Reserves at the School Field. The visitors who started the game with only nine men due to several players being unavailable were indebted to front runner Robbie Jenkins for poaching a couple of goals and there was one also for player manager Rhydian Davies.
Division 3
The recent winning run enjoyed by Cardigan Reserves came to an end when they were edged out by Newcastle Emlyn Reserves at the King George field. Ian Hamilton led the way for the reds with two goals and there was one for Ethan Jones.
Three goals from Llanboidy striker Owain Gibbin helped steer his team to a 4-1 success over Maesglas Reserves at Cae Dandre. Also on target for the Carmarthenshire based club was Ben Harvey, whilst at Tir Y Dref, Llandysul Reserves defeated Felinfach Reserves by 2-1.
