MATCH DAY 40, 2024/25

Match Day 40 and we have a program of 10 league matches on Saturday, 6 in the South East and 4 in the South West. Friday night saw Ynyshir Albions take on Morriston Town in the South West, needing a win to keep the pressure on Cardiff Draconians for the title. The game was moved from the Ynyshir Oval to Baglan Field as the home of Treherbert BGC has floodlights. After a goalless first half Charlie Coates gave the visitors the lead, but as the Dracs were beginning to dream of the title, Cory Morgan equalised for the Albions on 75 minutes after good work from Captain Jacob Matthews. With a win essential for Ynyshir, it was left to Dre Griffiths to clinch the winner on 78 minutes after an assist from Zach Philpott to leave the Dracs still needing 2 points to make the title certain, although a point would all but seal the win given the 13 goal difference at present. The win for Ynyshir though guarantees a play off spot if they don’t catch the Dracs, a game they won in 2022 against Abertillery Bluebirds, 3-0.

Moving onto Saturday and in the South West we start with Pontardawe Town against Bridgend Street at Parc Ynysderw, 5th v 14th in the table. Pontardawe put a stop to their 2 game losing streak last Saturday with a 2-0 win at Cardiff Corinthians. Josh Doward put Ponty ahead after just 2 minutes and the scoreline remained at 1-0 at the interval. The visitors made the points safe though on 75 minutes Captain Craig Davies scoring from an assist by Roman Legavec. Bridgend Street meanwhile drew 1-1 last weekend at Pontyclun as they bid to beat the drop. After a goalless first half they took the lead after 82 minutes A Phillips scoring from a Conor Cusack assist for what looked like being a priceless 3 points. However Pontyclun, although relegated salvaged a point in injury time in what was their last game in the Ardal Southern for the time being as they look to bounce back next season from the South Wales Premier League.

Cardiff Corinthians host Treherbert BHC at Cwrt yr Ala Road, home of Caerau (Ely), 9th v 10th in the table. The Corries have the Ardal Southern Cup Final to look forward to on the 16th May, but still have 5 league games left to play, including a rearranged game against South Gower after it was postponed due to a torrential downpour 2 weeks ago. They are on a losing run in the league having lost their last 3 league games, including a 2-0 defeat at home to Pontardawe Town last weekend and a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff Dracs in midweek. However top scorer Aron Davies looks certain to win the Golden Boot, currently 8 goals ahead of nearest rivals Sam Roberts of the Dracs and Brandon Thomas of Treherbert BGC. Treherbert will be looking to end their first season at this level on a high after the disappointment of losing last weekend’s 7 goal thriller at AFC Llwydcoed. Treherbert didn’t have the best of starts conceding after 44, 48 and 52 minutes, before Shane Davies pulled a goal back on the hour mark. AFC Llwydcoed looked to have made the game safe though on 65 minutes, however Treherbert were not finished yet. Brandon Thomas made it 4-2 on 68 minutes after good work from Shane Davies, before Mackenzie Davies made it 4-3 after 75 minutes, scoring from a Liam Thomas assist. However AFC Llwydcoed managed to see the game out for a vital win in their bid to stay up.

Swansea University take on AFC Llwydcoed at the University Playing Fields, 4th v 16th in the table. Swansea Uni are in good form since they lost their Ardal Southern Cup Semi Final at Cardiff Corinthians last month. They have won their last 3 games, including a hard fought 1-0 win over Ynysygerwn last weekend. Lewis Brooks scored the all important goal after 55 minutes, finding the net from a Mason Kelly assist. AFC Llwydcoed although currently bottom of the table have given themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop, with 2 big wins over the last week. Last weekend they won a 7 goal thriller against Treherbert BGC at Rhiw Dda’r, while won 2-1 against Seven Sisters Onllwyn at the same venue in midweek. Ricky Carter opened the scoring against Treherbert just before half time after good work from Gabriele Viazzani, and on 48 minutes it was 2-0 as Dewi Abbruzzese scored form a Cian Cable assist. Cable then made it 3-0 on 52 minutes before Treherbert pulled a goal back on the hour, but Cable looked to have made the game safe on 65 minutes after an assist from Ricky Carter. Treherbert pulled 2 goals back on 68 and 75 minutes but AFC Llwydcoed sealed 3 vital points as no further goals were scored. With relegation rivals Seven Sisters Onllwyn the visitors in midweek, AFC Llwydcoed, won a vital battle, despite going a goal behind from a 41st minute penalty. However after the visitors were reduce to 10 men on 82 minutes, goals from Caleb Bowley on 85 minutes and Gabriele Viazzani in injury time sealed the points.

The final game this weekend in the South West, sees Clydach host Cardiff Draconians at Coed Gwillym Park, 11th v 1st in the table. Clydach have hit an impressive run of form of late, winning their last 4 league games to give themselves a good chance of staying ion the division next season. Their latest win was 2 weeks ago, winning 2-1 at home to Ynysygerwn. Cai Thomas put Clydach ahead after 6 minutes assisted by Cameron Jones and this was the only goal until the 81st minute when the visitors equalised to look like earning a share of the spoils. However Clydach were not finished yet and they held their nerve to win the game deep into injury time Arwel Rees firing home from the penalty spot. Cardiff Draconians need a win to make certain of the title, although a point would all but seal the silverware given the 13 goal difference at present to rivals Ynyshir Albions. The Dracs are now unbeaten in 3, since their 1-0 loss at Evans & Williams at the end of last month. The picked up their latest win in midweek, winning 2-0 against Cardiff Corinthians at Lydstep Park. Sam Roberts put the Dracs ahead after 5 minutes from a Sam Crawley assist before Marco Truel made it 2-0 on 23 minutes after good work from Crawley. The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 95 minutes before there were no further goals as the Dracs closed in on the title.

Onto the South East and starting at Canton who host Abertillery Bluebirds at the House of Sport, 4th v 11th in the table. Canton are in a run of good form, winning 4 out of their 5 league games, the latest being a 2-0 win at Brecon Corries last weekend. Norton Ferreira opened the scoring for Canton on 20 minutes firing home from a John Clarke assist, while he added his second as the interval approached, this time Jordan Carey providing the opportunity. The second half was goalless despite Brecon being reduced to 10 men on 80 minutes. Abertillery Bluebirds have failed to win any of their last 4 games, although they have drawn 2 of these. Last weekend they lost 3-1 at home to Risca United finding themselves a goal down after 12 minutes. The Bluebirds equalised 5 minutes later though Ben Ward finding the net from a Lewis Clarke assist. However further goals from the visitors on 35 minutes and 54 minutes condemned the Bluebirds to their 13th defeat of the season as they aim to finish the season with a place in the top 8 with 3 games remaining.

Tredegar Town face Risca United at the Lesiure Centre, 14th v 7th in the table. It is a vital game for Tredegar as they bid to starve off relegation, but they are not in great form having just won 1 game in their last 6. In midweek they picked up a point at Treharris Athletic Western, taking the lead after just 6 minutes at Parc Taf Bargoed, Ryan Hawkins scoring from a Travis Crompton assist. However the home side equalised on 49 minutes, but a goal from Andrew Martin looked to have earned Tredegar a massive 3 points on 55 minutes and relegated Treharris Athletic Western. However Tredegar conceded an equaliser on 78 minutes and saw Tye Duggan sent off deep into injury time for a second caution as Treharris Athletic Western gave themselves a slim chance of staying up. Risca United meanwhile picked up a useful 3 points last weekend with an excellent win at Abertillery Bluebirds. Lloyd Oliver opened the scoring for Risca after 12 minutes from a Callum Hutton assist, before the home side equalised on 17 minutes. Oliver though scored his second on 35 minutes again Hutton providing the opportunity. It was left to Captain Jack Darby to seal the 3-1 win for Risca on 54 minutes after good work from Jayden Bowgen. Risca announced this week they will be returning to play at their spiritual home of Ty Isaf Park after a number of years at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.

A day of celebration will be on the cards for Treowen Stars at Bush Park as they host Croesyceiliog, 1st v 9th in the table. Ardal Southern Secretary Martin Price will present the Sout East Trophy to Ben Murphy and his team after they won the title last weekend with a win over Abercarn United. After a goalless first half, Corey Jenkins settled the nerves of the Stars by opening the scoring on 68 minutes as news filtered in that rivals Chepstow were losing at Chepstow. It was left to Stars Captain on the day Tommy James in the absence of Christian Davies to seal the silverware, finding the net on 80 minutes. Croesyceiliog will be aiming to spoil the party as they travel to Treowen in good form having won 3 out of their last 4 league games. Last weekend they produced an excellent performance to win at home to Newport Corinthians, top scorer and Captain Owen Llewellyn opening the scoring after 14 minutes from a Morgan Devlin assist. Llewellyn made it 2-0 a minute later this time after good work from Luke Dyke, before Llewellyn completed his hattrick just before half time, with his 40th Ardal Southern goal.

There is a crucial game for both sides at the Abercarn Welfare Ground as Abercarn United fighting relegation, face play off challengers Caldicot Town, 15th v 2nd in the table. Abercarn have lost their last 3 league games, the latest being a 2-0 win at Champions Treowen Stars last weekend. Their last win was against relegation rivals Tredegar Town last month and they need to produce at least 1 win in their last 3 games to stay for a third season in Tier 3. Caldicot Town have won 7 out of their last 9 league games and are need 2 wins in their remaining games to have a chance of pipping rivals Chepstow Town to the play-off place. Last weekend they won a thriller against Chepstow to give themselves a fighting chance, Laurent Ngunjoh opening the scoring after just 6 minutes from a Ben Donoghue assist. Chepstow equalised on 36 minutes but Donoghue put the home side back into the lead on 57 minutes after good work from Sam Watkins. Ben Burns scored the 3rd goal for Caldicot on 74 minutes assisted by Sam Swann and despite Chepstow pulling a goal back on 76 minutes, Caldicot saw the game out for a massive 3 points. While in midweek they produced a clinical performance to beat Newport Corinthians 5-0 at Jubilee Way. Cole Greenhaf opened the scoring after 21 minutes, adding a second on 23 minutes from a Ben Donoghue assist. Greenhaf completed his hattrick on 52 minutes, again from a Donoghue assist, before Donoghue got on the scoresheet himself on 70 minutes Laurent Ngunjoh providing the opportunity. It was left to Captain Sam Swann to seal the 5-0 win on 74 minutes, finding the net from a George Holland assist.

Brecon Corries host Chepstow Town at the Rich Field, 8th v 3rd in the table. Brecon will be looking to end the season in god form having gone 8 games without a win. Last weekend they lost 2-0 at home to Canton and Manager Damien Daniels will be looking for a reaction from his players today and in their remaining 2 games. Chepstow will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Caldicot Town as they look towards the 7 points they probably need for a play-off place. Caldicot opened the scoring after 6 minutes but Chepstow equalised on 36 minutes, Sonny Lewis finding the net. The home side were back in front on 57 minutes and scored again on 74 minutes. Chepstow pulled a goal back on 76 minutes, Adam Wakley scoring from a Matthew Broad assist, but it was too little too late for Chepstow as they lost to their main rivals for a play-off place and saw their title dreams of catching Treowen Stars end with the defeat.

The final game this weekend in the South East sees a relegation battle between Newport Corinthians and Treharris Athletic Western, 13th v 16th in the table. Newport Corinthians have lost their last 5 league games, losing twice over the last 7 days to Croesyceliog 3-0 and Caldicot Town 5-0. Prior to this the league newcomers had won 6 out of their previous 8 league games and will have to reproduce some of this form in their remaining games to make certain of another season in the Ardal Southern. Treharris Athletic Western have a slim chance of staying up, but will need to win today and their final league game at Abergavenny Town and hope that Newport Corinthians, Abercarn United and Tredegar Town don’t pick up a win in their remaining games. They also have a 5 goal swing to make up on Newport Corinthians. The picked up a point in midweek with a 2-2 home draw with Tredegar Town. The visitors had taken a 6th minute lead at Parc Taf Bargoed, however Treharris Athletic Western equalised on 49 minutes, Regan Hawkins finding the net from a Namir Queni assist. Tredegar were back in the lead on 55 minutes and it looked like Treharris Athletic Western would be relegated, however Tredegar conceded an equaliser on 78 minutes Queni scoring after good work from 17 year old substitute Ethan Davies as Treharris Athletic Western live to fight another day.