MATCH DAY 34, 2024/25

Match Day 34 and we have a program of 12 league matches this weekend, 6 in the South East, 6 in the South West, as well as the first Ardal Southern Semi Final between Evans & Williams and Chepstow Town. Starting at Rhiw Dda’r on Friday night, AFC Llwydcoed host Morriston Town, 16th v 2nd in the table. AFC Llwydcoed had a priceless win last weekend against relegation rivals Pontyclun, their first in 5 league games after a 4 match losing streak. Cian Cable scored the all-important goal after 38 minutes, set up by Owen Jeffries. Morriston on the other hand experienced a shock 3-0 defeat at Seven Sisters Onllwyn bringing to an end a 7 game unbeaten run. The damage was done in the first 14 minutes when they found themselves 3-0 down and they were unable to get back into the games, although no further goals were scored after the interval.

Onto Saturday and Stebonheath Park plays host to the Ardal Southern Semi-Final between Evans & Williams and Chepstow Town. Evans & Williams are having a great season, their first at this level and sit in 3rd position in the South West, while Chepstow are looking for promotion from the South East and sit in 2nd position 6 points behind the leaders Treowen Stars with a game in hand. Evans & Williams last played 2 weeks ago, winning 3-1 against Pontyclun at Ivor Park. Player-Coach Richard Lewis put the visitors ahead, before Pontyclun equalised on 78 minutes James Gronow assisting Arjen Matthews for the equaliser. However Evans & Williams were not content with the point and Matthew Williams restored the lead on 88 minutes, before Llywelyn James sealed the points and a 3-1 win deep into injury time, assisted my Matthew Williams. Chepstow played last weekend winning 2-0 at Newport Corinthians, their 7th league win on the bounce. Iestyn Davies opened the scoring after 17 minutes, set up by Sonny Lewis and Josh Parsons scored the second on 52 minutes, assisted by Adam Wakley.

The South West sees 5 league games on Saturday starting with Treherbert BGC against Ynysygerwn at Baglan Field, 10th v 12th in the table. Treherbert had a disappointing afternoon last weekend, losing 6-0 at league leaders Cardiff Draconians, their third defeat on the bounce after losing 3-2 at Bridgend Street and 3-1 at Morriston Town. Ynysygerwn have also lost their last 3 league games, 4-1 at home to Swansea University last weekend and 2-1 home to Cefn Cribwr and 2-1 at South Gower, the previous week. They will be looking to regain the form that saw them win 4-2 at Cardiff Corinthians last month, while Treherbert last won 2-0 against AFC Llwydcoed also last month.

Clydach host Cardiff Corinthians at Coed Gwillym Park, 15th against 9th in the table. Two weeks ago Clydach lost 2-0 to Cardiff Draconians and will be looking to address a 3 match losing streak, their last win 3-2 at Cefn Cribwr the last weekend of January. Cardiff Corinthains will be looking to find some consistency in the run in after losing 3-0 at Ynyshir Albions last weekend. They have only picked up 5 points out of the last 15 and despite having a number of games in hand over rivals will need to piece together a run of wins to enter the end of season scramble for a play-off place. Striker Aron Davies is still 8 goals ahead in the race for the Golden Boot and the Corries will be pinning their hopes on him to continue to find the net over the last 12 game of the season.

Cardiff Draconians take on Swansea University at Lydstep Park, with both teams on a goal spree last weekend, as the Dracs look to continue at the top of the table and the Uni aim to compete for a play-off Place. The Dracs won 6-0 at home to Treherbert BGC last Saturday, opening the scoring after 13 minutes, Sam Roberts finding the net from a Dylan Amin assist. It wasn’t until the 58th minute that it became 2-0, Sam Crawley with the first of 3 assist for Marinho Manga to score. Crawley then assisted Haben Samson to find the net on his debut after signing from Caerau (Ely) a minute later, with Harri Edwards making it 4-0 from the spot on 74 minutes. Clayton Edwards then set up Edwards for his second on 83 minutes before Crawley assisted for the third time for Samson to score his second of a dream debut. Swansea University meanwhile won 4-1 on their travels to Ynysygerwn last Saturday, Mason Kelly opening the scoring after just 9 minutes. Casey Coughlin assisted Kelly to make it 2-0 on 18 minutes, before Ynysygerwn pulled a goal back on the half hour mark. In first half injury time though the Uni scored again Morgan Wright laying on a chance for Lewis Brooks to make it 3-1. The final goal of the game was cored not long after the restart, Wright assisting Josh Cole to give Swansea University 3 valuable points.

Seven Sisters Onllwyn host Bridgend Street at the Welfare Ground, 11th v 13th in the table. Last weekend Seven Sisters had a fantastic result 3-0 at home to high fliers Morriston Town. The damage was done in the first 14 minutes, firstly Evan Williams setting up Leon Herdman for the opener after just 5 minutes. It was 2-0 on 11 minutes, Iestyn Clement assisting Evan Williams for a goal himself, while on 14 minutes it was all but over , Herdman setting up Clement to make it 3-0. Bridgend Street suffered a blow in their battle to pull away from the relegation zone last Saturday losing 3-0 at South Gower. Goals after 36, 53 and 60 minutes proved their downfall as they failed to build on their win the previous week 3-2 at home to Treherbert BGC.

The final game in the South West is at Ynyshir Oval, where Ynyshir Albions take on South Gower, 4th v 8th in the table. The Albions had an excellent 3-0 home win last weekend against Cardiff Corinthians, opening the scoring after 22 minutes through Logan Perris assisted by Cory Morgan. Zach Philpott failed to make it 2-0 on 29 minutes passing up an opportunity from the penalty spot, but it was all but over on 71 minutes as Jago Norton set up substitute Jorrie-Blue Griffiths to find the net. The final goal was scored after 81 minutes Captain Jacob Matthews laying on Joseff Haig to make the final score 3-0. South Gower were home to Bridgend Street last weekend and produced an excellent 3-0 win, thanks to goals from Owen Evans on 36 minutes assisted by Louis Jackson, Bruno Morris assisted by Evans on 53 minutes and Jack Jones making it 3-0 on the hour, assisted by Alexander Arnold.

Onto the South East and there’s 6 league games on Saturday. Croesyceiliog take on Goytre at Woodland Road, with the home side in 9th position and the visitors in 6th place. Croesyceiliog will be looking to get some points on the board after 2 defeats, the last one coming two weeks ago at home to Blaenavon Blues. A goal down after 13 minutes from a penalty Croesyceiliog equalised on 70 minutes through Luke Duke and he then scored a second 2 minutes later after an assist from Nathan Watts. However goals on 74 and 82 minutes earned the Blues the points. Goytre meanwhile had a superb win last weekend at the Memorial Ground after they dispatched Blaenavon Blues 3-0. Man of the moment was Chris Ham who scored a hattrick, his second goal being his 100th in the Ardal Southern, the first ever player to achieve this landmark. The first goal came on 26 minutes, as Alfie Young assisting, while Thomas Meechan set up the other two goals, on 56 and 69 minutes to clinch the 3 points. Chris Ham now has 101 league goals in 100 games in the Ardal Southern.

Caldicot Town host Risca United at Jubilee Way, 3rd v 9th in the table. Caldicot had an excellent 3-2 home win last weekend against the league leaders Treowen Stars as they aim to close the gap on the top two clubs. A goal down after 23 minutes, Caldicot were given a way back into the game when Treowen scored an own goal after 23 minutes. They then took the lead on 38 minutes when Ben Donoghue set up substitute Laurent Ngunjoh, before a penalty from Donoghue himself on 63 minutes extended the lead to 3-1. Despite the Stars pulling a goal back after 79 minutes, Caldicot held out for a vital three points. Risca United meanwhile faced Tredegar Town last weekend at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence and ground out a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Callum Hutton on 43 minutes assisted by Lloyd Oliver. This was their third win in four games, the only blemish a 3-1 defeat at Treowen Stars last month.

Cwm Nant Y Groes sees Abertilllery Bluebirds play Treharris Athletic Western, 10th v 16th in the table. Abertillery Bluebirds addressed a 3 match losing streak last weekend with a 1-0 win at Abercarn United, Ryan Meredith scoring the only goal of the game after 34 minutes. Treharris Athletic Western won their second game in succession last weekend, an impressive 4-1 win at high flying Brecon Corries. They had a superb start to the game, opening the scoring after just 7 minutes at the Rich Field, Will Adlam-Perry, a January signing from Ystradgynlais assisting 16 year old Regan Hawkins. It was to be a great game from Adlam-Perry as he provide two further assists, the second to Abdi Qrabche on 17 minutes to make it 2-0 and the third on 34 minutes, Hawkins scoring his second goal of the game. Brecon pulled a goal back on 60 minutes but it was left to Regan Hawkins to have the last word and clinch his hattrick on 90 minutes, Taylor Corkrey providing the assist. Hawkins now has 8 goals in 10 Ardal Southern appearances, 5 points from safety with 8 games to go can Treharris Athletic Western pull off a great escape ?

Tredegar Town host Newport Corinthians at the Leisure Centre, 15th v 13th in the table as both teams look to get their relegation fight back on track after defeats last weekend. Tredegar lost 1-0 at Risca United, the only goal of the game coming after 43 minutes, while Newport Corinthians suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Chepstow Town, conceding after 17 and 52 minutes. Tredegar Town will be looking for Aarran Caffell to fire them to safety as he has scored 2 in 4 games since signing from Penydarren BGC in January, where he had previously scored 28 Ardal Southern goals. Newport Corinthians have been in good form recently though with 5 wins out of their last 7 games, as keeper and Captain Jack Jones looks to keep out the goals at one end and forwards Jake Dymond and Nathan Perkins looking to provide the goals and assist at the other end.

Brecon Corries host Treowen Stars at the Rich Field, 5th v 1st in the table. Both teams suffered shock defeats last weekend and will be looking to get their promotion push back on track this weekend. The Corries lost 4-1 at home to Treharris Athletic Western and found themselves 3-0 down after 34 minutes after Treharris had scored their first two goals after 7 and 17 minutes. Joel Evans pulled a goal back on the hour mark, but the visitors sealed the shock win with their fourth goal on 90 minutes. Treowen Stars meanwhile, lost a five goal thriller at Caldicot Town last weekend despite taking an early lead through Corey Jenkins on 23 minutes assisted by Craig McDonnell. An own goal from Gavin Meacham let Caldicot back in the game on 29 minutes, before the home side took the lead on 38 minutes. Caldicot were 3-1 up on 63 minutes from the penalty spot, before the Stars gave themselves hope on 79 minutes Jenkins sconing his second of the game from an Macsen Davies assist, however they failed to find that exclusive equaliser and lost for only the third time this season.

The final game in the South East this weekend sees Canton host Blaenavon Blues at the House of Sport, 4th v 7th in the table. Canton suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat last weekend against Abergavenny Town, the only goal scored after 41 minutes. Canton have been in mixed form since the turn of the year winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 2, as well as suffering penalty heartache in the FAW Trophy against Brickfield Rangers. Blaenavon Blues also suffered a 3-0 home defeat last weekend against Goytre, with goals on 26, 56 and 69 proving their downfall. Previous to that they had been on a 4 game winning streak, with wins against Croesyceiliog (3-2), Abergavenny Town (2-0), Treharris Athletic Western (2-1) and Risca United (3-0).