MATCH DAY 28, 2024/25

Match Day 28 and we have a program of 13 league matches this weekend and our 1 remaining Ardal Southern Cup quarter-finals. With no Friday games this week, Saturday sees us start at Rhiw Dda’r home of Taffs Well, where AFC Llwydcoed 15th in the South West table take on Chepstow Town, in pole position in the South East. With last Saturday’s game being postponed AFC Llwydcoed last played two weeks ago and had an excellent 1-0 win over South Gower. Leon Jacka set up the all-important goal, scored by Dewi Abbruzzese after 28 minutes and this is how the scoreline remained to give AFC Llwydcoed only their third win of the season as they look to play catch up having only played 13 league games and move away from the relegation zone. Chepstow Town were also last in action two weeks ago, 2-1 home win over Abergavenny Town. Mallachi Graham set up both the goals, firstly for Republic of Ireland born forward Christian O’Donnell in the 5th minute and then Captain Adam Wakley in the 35th minute. Abergavenny Town pulled a goal back deep into injury time but it wasn’t enough to stop Chepstow top of the table on goal difference with rivals Treowen Stars. It was Chepstow’s 9th league win in the last 10 games and they are now unbeaten since the start of October. The winners will join Evans & Williams, Cardiff Corinthians and holders Swansea University in the semi-final draw.

Onto our league program now and starting in the South East with Undy hosting Abertillery Bluebirds at the Causeway, the home side in 14th place and the Bluebirds sitting in 8th place in the league. Last Saturday Undy lost 1-0 at Risca United, the home side scoring the only goal of the game shortly before the hour mark. The previous week Undy had drawn 0-0 at home to Croesyceiliog. Manager Lewis Thomas will be looking for an upturn in fortune with Undy having to go back to mid-October for their last win, 3-1 over Canton. The Bluebirds will also be looking to get back on winning ways after their 4-0 defeat at Croesyceiliog last Saturday. Midfielder Lewis Clark will be missing today for the Bluebirds as he serves his suspension for getting sent off in the 23rd minute of this game. The Bluebirds last win was a tremendous 4-3 win at Treharris Athletic Western, at the end of December, a double from Ben Taylor Jnr and further goals from Ryan Meredith and 18 year old Ieuan Schwank making sure of the 3 points.

Risca United in 12th place take on Newport Corinthians in 15th place at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, their second home game in succession. Last Saturday saw them produce a hard fought 1-0 win over Undy, Dylan John setting up the only goal of the game for Captain Lloyd Oliver on 59 minutes, his 11th league goal in 15 games this season for the 19 year old. Newport Corinthians last played three weeks ago when they produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Brecon Corries 4-0. After a goalless first half, Kushal Phuyal set up Lewis Brown for the opener on 68 minutes and two minutes later, it was 2-0 when substitute Sam Beckett assisted Phuyal for his first league goal in four games for the Corinthians. Two minutes from time, Sam Broadribb was on hand to assist substitute Jake Dymond to all but seal the win for the home side, and deep into injury time Dymond scored his second to make it 4-0 finishing off a move set up by Max Holley.

Tredegar Town face Treowen Stars at the Leisure Centre, with the home side 13th and the visitors 2nd in the table. Tredegar were the victors in a spectacular game last Friday evening, winning 6-4 at Abergavenny Town. Tredegar had a dream start when Dafydd Jones set up Oliver Bruton to opening the scoring after just 10 minutes and on 14 minutes Jones made it 2-0. This is how it remained until the interval and no one really expected the 8 goals that were to follow in the second half. On 53 minutes it was 2-1 as Andrew Martin scored an own goal, but Tredegar regained their two goal advantage on 61 minutes when Aarran Caffell assisted Oliver Bruton for his second goal. It was 4-1 on the 72 minute mark as Dafydd Jones scored his second goal, before Abergavenny reduced the deficit, scoring on 72 and 87 minutes. Tredegar sealed the points through when Andrew Martin and then Dafydd Jones set up goals for substitutes Aron Vaughan and Rhys Harris on 89 and 90 minutes to make it 6-3. Abergavenny scored again deep into injury time but it was too little too late to worry Tredegar as they clinched three vital points as they bid to pull away from the relegation battle in the South East. The Stars meanwhile haven’t played for two weeks when they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at FC Cwmaman in the last 16 of the FAW Trophy. After going a goal down, Treowen equalised on 35 minutes through Kyle Williams, but were behind at the interval as Cwmaman went ahead on 41 minutes. It was 3-1 on 53 minutes ex Penrhiwceiber Rangers striker Morgan Grahame finding the net, before Chris Hartland set up Callum Chivers to pull a goal back on 71 minutes. However the equaliser never came and now our FAW Trophy hopes for the Ardal Southern only rest with Goytre.

Caldicot Town host Abergavenny Town at Jubilee Way, 5th v 9th in the table. Last Friday Caldicot suffered a 3-0 loss at Goytre and will be looking to regain their form that saw them win 1-0 against Treharris Athletic Western two weeks ago. Ben Donoghue set up the only goal of the game at Jubilee Way for Laurent Ngunjoh after 42 minutes. Laurent scored 12 goals in 28 games last season for Caldicot before a summer move to Risca United, but he was back by the end of August and now has 4 goals in 11 games since his return and 5 in 16 games in total in the league this season. Abergavenny Town were involved in a thriller last Friday, but came out on the wrong end of a 6-4 scoreline. 2-0 down at the interval at home to Tredegar Town, an own goal gave them a lifeline on 53 minutes, but two more goals on 61 and 72 minutes saw them 4-1 down. Harrison Reynolds pulled another goal back on 76 minutes and Rudi Griffiths gave hope of a comeback with a goal on 87 minutes, but Tredegar struck again on 89 and 90 minutes to seal the points. Reynolds did provide an assist for Mason Keepin-Davies deep in injury time, but it ended up just a consolation for Abergavenny.

At Rich Field, Brecon Corries host Goytre, 4th place taking on 7th place. Brecon last played two weeks ago Brecon Corries when Abercarn United were the visitors to the Rich Field. Brecon took the lead as half time approached, Craig Evans setting up Matthew Tong to find the net. It was 2-0 at the interval, Craig Evans again assisting this time Joel Evans, who made no mistake for his 11th goal of the season in 17 games. The second half saw Abercarn have hopes of a comeback when they netted on 68 minutes, but Brecon sealed the points in the final minutes, Liam McAnally assisting Joe Cooper to score the third and Joel Evans returning the favour for Craig Evans to give Brecon the points with a 4-1 win deep into injury time. Goytre meanwhile produced a polished performance last Friday to beat Caldicot Town 3-0 at Plough Road. Chris Ham opened the scoring just after the half hour mark assisted by Lewis Green. Goytre went 2-0 up shortly after the interval Chris Parry assisting Jamie Bird and it was left to Ham to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot, his 98th Ardal Southern goal of his career. This was the first league game for Goytre since the middle of December and a welcome three points.

The final game in the South East this weekend takes place on Sunday as Canton in 3rd place host Treharris Athletic Western in 16th place at the House of Sport in Leckwith. Canton were in action last Saturday at Abercarn United and came away with the spoils by the odd goal in three. Curtis Griffin was on hand to set up Andre Phillips for the opener on 9 minutes and Bo Cordle assisted substitute Norton Ferreira on 65 minutes to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Abercarn reduced the deficit on 83 minutes but Canton held on to keep their promotion push rolling. Treharris were unlucky to lose by a single goal two weeks ago at Caldicot Town, scored in the 42nd minute. Their previous game was at the start of January a 3-1 loss at Chepstow Town. Despite taking the lead through Bina Ibrahim Sani after 24 minutes, a lead Treharris held onto until the 72nd minute it was the home side who would finish strongly equalising on 72 minutes and sealing the 3 points with goals on 82 and 85 minutes.

Over to the South West and there are 7 league games on Saturday. Starting with a top of the table clash at Parc Ynysderw as Pontardawe Town in 2nd place take on Cardiff Draconians top of the table. Both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways after mixed results over their last two games. Pontardawe faced the cup holders Swansea University last Saturday in the Ardal Southern Cup going out of the competition as the Uni side won 2-0. The previous week Pontardawe drew 3-3 with visiting Treherbert BGC after they had won their previous 7 league games. A goal down after 28 minutes and the 2-0 down after 50 minutes, Pontardawe pulled a goal back on 64 minutes Josh Dorward setting up Alfie Brown to reduce the deficit. However it looked all over on 78 minutes when Treherbert took a 3-1 lead. Pontardawe were not finished yet though and Roman Legavec gave hope of salvaging a point when he scored from the spot on 80 minutes. With a minute on the clock, Kyle Cockings set up substitute Steffan Pryce to find the net. Cardiff Draconians drew 0-0 two weeks ago at Lydstep Park after they had suffered a 2-1 loss to Swansea University the previous week. After a goalless first half, the Uni took the lead on 49 minutes but the Dracs thought they had salvaged at least a share on the spoils on 85 minutes, when Callum Beckett equalised. However deep in injury time Swansea Uni scored a dramatic winner, to become the first team this season to beat the Dracs in the league.

Cardiff Corinthians in 7th place take on Pontyclun in 14th place at the Riverside Ground. Last Saturday the Corries sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Ardal Southern Cup for the second season in succession and will be hoping to reach the final this time. Treherbert BGC were the visitors to the Riverside and it was a tense 90 minutes the visitors taking an early 9th minute lead before the Corries equalised on 75 minutes Captain David Biggs assisting substitute Jac Jones for the equaliser. It remained 1-1 to take the game to penalties and Cardiff Corries held their nerve to win 4-2. Pontyclun hosted Morriston Town last Saturday at Ivor Park, with recently appointed Glyndwr Davies see his side push top six Morriston Town all the way. They fell to a Morriston goal though on 75 minutes. The previous week they had won 3-0 at Clydach. George Shewring put the visitors ahead after 62 minutes and he scored his second on 72 minutes, Arjen Matthews assisting. The points were wrapped up deep into injury time, Iestyn Stone setting up Daniel Roderick for a vital three points. However with only 7 games left they are all cup finals for Pontyclun as opportunities to put points on the board become reduced.

Evans & Williams are home this weekend to Treherbert BGC, who will be looking to gain revenge for the narrow home defeat to Evans & Williams in October. Last Saturday they rode their luck at times at South Gower, but won 1-0 to earn a last 4 place in the Ardal Southern Cup. South Gower had a great opportunity to take the lead on 38 minutes but Owen Evans failed to take the opportunity from the spot. It was left to 19 year old midfielder Steff Vincent to earn Evans & Williams a 1-0 win on 77 minutes. Treherbert were not so lucky in their cup quarter final, losing 4-2 on penalties to Cardiff Corinthians after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. They took a 12th minute lead through Deacon Greening, but the home side equalised on 75 minutes to take the game to penalties. The week before Treherbert had produced a fantastic performance to draw 3-3 at Pontardawe Town. Deacon Greening put Treherbert ahead after 28 minutes from the penalty spot and after the interval Matthew Smith played his part in setting up Brandon Thomas to make it 2-0. Pontardawe Town pulled a goal back on 64 minutes, but Thomas scored his second of the game to put Treherbert 3-1 ahead thanks to good work from Joe Eason. However Pontardawe came storming back to score twice in the last 10 minutes to salvage a point as Liam Thomas saw red for the visitors.

Morriston Town in 6th place play host to 3rd place Cefn Cribwr at Evans Bevans Playing Fields in Baglan whilst work on their ground redevelopment continues. Last Saturday they won 1-0 at Pontyclun, Joshua Howarth scoring the only goal of the game on 75 minutes. The previous week they drew 1-1 with Cardiff Corinthians at Afan Lido, after they had gone a goal behind minutes after the Corries had been reduced to 10 men when their goalkeeper was sent off. Morriston though despite leaving it late managed to salvage a point deep into stoppage time when Ben Taylor found the net. Cefn Cribwr will be looking to bounce back from their 3-2 home defeat last Saturday at the Jewson Stadium against Clydach. They were a goal down on 9 minutes but came back to equalise on 12 minutes, Toby Galliers assisting Jamie Isidoro-Marlowe to find the net. Cefn Cribwr were ahead on 32 minutes, Ben Symons setting up Arron Weaver, but goals on 50 and 85 minutes gave Clydach the result they needed to boost their bid to move up the table.

Clydach in 13th place host Bridgend Street in 16th place at Coed Gwillym Park buoyed by their 3-2 win at Cefn Cribwr last Saturday. They took a 9th minute lead through Ryan Thomas after good work from Callum Howard and despite Cefn Cribwr scoring twice to take the lead on 12 and 32 minutes, it was Cai Thomas this time, who got Clydach back on level terms after an assist from Keelan Robb-Gregory. With time running out, Cameron Jones provided the chance for Callum Howard to earn three vital points for Clydach. Bridgend Street meanwhile suffered a 2-1 home defeat last Saturday to Seven Sisters Onllwyn despite taking the lead on the verge of half time, veteran striker Jeff White finding the back of the net after good work from Conor Cusack. However the second half saw Seven Sisters Onllwyn come storming back equalising on 49 minutes and scoring the winner in the last minute for vital victory.

Ynsyhir Albions take on Swansea University at the Ynyshir Oval, 5th v 8th in the table. Ynyshir last played two weeks ago a 1-0 win over Bridgend Street, Jago Norton assisting 17 year old substitute Logan Perris for his 4th goal in 11 games at this level. This made up for a 3-0 defeat at Cefn Cribwr the week before as they look to mount a promotion push. Swansea University are on a high after their 2-0 win over Pontardawe Town last weekend to reach the semi finals of the Ardal Southern Cup, which they currently hold. Josh Cole set up the opener on 18 minutes for Lewis Brooks, before Cole himself sealed the win on 86 minutes finishing off a move set up by Casey Coughlin. This made up for their previous game at Evans & Williams when they suffered a 3-2 defeat. McCauley Power had given the students a dream start after just 2 minutes and on 29 minutes Captain Jordan Hughes assisted Casey Coughlin to score the second of the afternoon for Swansea University. However the home side came firing back with gaols after 31, 36 and 39 minutes to earn the points and condemn the visitors to their 3rd league defeat in 4 games.

The final game this weekend in the South West sees Seven Sisters Onllwyn take on South Gower 12th v 9th in the table. Seven Sisters Onllwyn had an excellent 2-1 win at Bridgend Street last Saturday despite going in 1-0 down at the interval. Seven Sisters Onllwyn were back on level terms on 49 minutes Luke Herdman, scoring from an Harri Powell assist for his 7th goal in 17 Ardal Southern games this season. While it was left to Harri Powell to clinch the points finishing off a move set up by Gareth Harris. South Gower meanwhile suffered a 1-0 defeat last Saturday at home to Evans & Williams in the Ardal Southern Cup, missing a 38th minute penalty through Owen Evans. While the week before South Gower went down to a 1-0 defeat at AFC Llwydcoed, the game being played at Taffs Well and will be looking for a better result to the last two this weekend.