Ceredigion Costcutter League
Division 1
Can anyone halt the Cardigan Town bandwagon? Well the answer was quite simple! Crannog can.
The bold headlines and predictions in a local rag last week that the King George ‘aristocrats’ were virtually unbeatable probably embarrassed the Magpies team as much as anyone else but it certainly fired up the men from Llangrannog who inflicted the first defeat of the season on Alun Williams and his men.
Town ofcourse are a fine team with some very talented young players and look set for a successful season as their only previous blip was a draw against league leaders St Dogmaels in the opening week of the new campaign. However on this occasion they missed the cutting edge of midfield talisman Ben Davies who normally pulls the strings in the heart of the engine room. Davies is currently in recovery following a lung operation and he may be out for the rest of the season and we wish him well.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring and deservedly so when good work from Brynley Morris and a cross from Ifan-Sion led to an own goal when the ball was deflected into the net. The introduction of experienced playmaker James Evans at half time changed the game and the hosts put their opponents under pressure but Mike Glover and co were outstanding in defence and the Crannog keeper was rarely tested.
Cardigan eventually levelled matters when a fine cross from outstanding young winger Llion Williams was tapped home by former Crannog wide man Dylan Davies but the hosts then hit back within a few minutes, but a goal from player manager Gary Davies was disallowed for offside.
This decision seemed to galvanise the away team and they had the final say when midfielder Morris smashed the ball home from the edge of the penalty box to cap a fine game. Cardigan were not finished and pushed defender John Lumb up front and he put the Llangrannog based side under pressure and former Crannog player Chris Welch was unlucky when he hit the crossbar with a great long range effort but the visitors managed to see the game out for an excellent win.
Dewi Stars experienced another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Llandysul and John Jones and his troops will need to reverse this losing trend when they take on fellow strugglers Felinfach in a fortnight. Two goals from Daniel Sears and one apiece for Richard Evans, Andrew Gilbert and Jesse Clayton saw the Swallows through for a comfortable win.
There was a welcome win for Ffostrasol as they sneaked through for a 2-1 success against Felinfach after going a goal down early doors. Marc Davies rifled the ball home after a corner had only been half cleared to put his team ahead but the Wanderers replied on the hour when Cian Edwards broke through from half way and slipped his marker before he tucked the ball away past the advancing keeper. With just ten minutes remaining and after a long period of pressure by the hosts Steffan Jackson poked the ball home following a goalmouth scramble to secure the three points for Ffostrasol.
In division two a couple of goals from Crymych striker Gethin Evans helped steer his team to a well deserved win away at Aberaeron Reserves, whilst at Lampeter a hat trick from Saints front runner Owain Thomas secured a 5-0 win for St Dogmaels Reserves for whom Liam Preston bagged a brace.
In the only other game played in the division Crannog Reserves and Maesglas fought out a goalless draw.
In division three Llandysul Reserves were far too hot for Cardigan Reserves and ran out 4-1 winners with David Davies netting a brace and there were singles for Matthew Newbold and Dafydd Hazelby, whilst at Maes Radley Newcastle Emlyn Reserves fired six past their Maesglas counterparts with Ian Hamilton leading the way with four goals for the reds. Oscar Higgins and David Smith were also on target whilst for the Blues Chris Jones and Jordan Harrison netted.
There was a win also for Llanboidy Reserves away at Felinfach with Owain Gibbin and Matthew James providing the goals.
