MATCH DAY 23, 2024/25

Match Day 23 now and we have 13 league matches this weekend as we close 2024, while there is also a last 16 game in the Ardal Southern Cup, Swansea University, 5th in the South West, hosting Caldicot Town who also sit in 5th place in the South East, for a place in the last eight, where a home tie awaits against Pontardawe Town. Swansea University will be looking to win so they can avenge a 3-1 home defeat against Pontardawe last Saturday, when they only had an 86th minute penalty by Dylan Perkins to show for their efforts. Caldicot Town meanwhile are in excellent form, unbeaten in 8 league games, including 6 wins, the most recent a 3-0 win last Saturday at home to Blaenavon Blues. Captain Mathew James opened the scoring after just 8 minutes after good work from Matthew Swann, before an own on 80 minutes and a goal set up by Ben Donoghue for Jake Davies on 89 minutes sealed the three points.

Saturday sees five games in the South East, while on Sunday Canton host Undy. Starting with Abergavenny Town who host Treowen Stars, 8th place Abergavenny matched against the league leaders who are on the back of a five match unbeaten run. The home side will be looking for their first win since late November, although they have only played two games since, the last a 1-1 draw at Undy last Saturday, when Jack Evans equalised on the stroke of half time after Undy had taken a 35th minute lead. Treowen haven’t played for two weeks since a 2-2 draw at Treharris Athletic Western. Chris Colvin had put the Stars 1-0 up after 8 minutes after good work from Corey Jenkins and it looked good when the same combination resulted in the Stars taking a 2-0 lead on 62 minutes. However the home side reduced the deficit on 82 minutes and equalised deep into injury time after Aaron Thomas had been sent off for Treowen for a second yellow on 89 minutes.

The Memorial Ground sees Blaenavon Blues take on Brecon Corries, with the Blues in 11th place and the Corries in 3rd place. Blaenavon will be looking to arrest two 3-0 defeats over the last two weeks against Tredegar Town and Caldicot Town respectively, while the Corries won 6-0 two weeks ago at home to Undy. Joel Evans was the star of the show, netting five times on 12, 17, 44, 60 and 61 minutes along with a goal from Craig Evans after 40 minutes. On the assist list was Jordan Baker, Joel Evans himself, Matthew Tong and Corey Evans, with Joel Evans setting up two of his goals himself. Blaenavon’s last win was a 3-0 home triumph against Abertillery Bluebirds, thanks to goals from Alex Berrow, Bailey Perry and Brandon Williams. Manager Ryan Keen will be looking for 7 goal striker Alex Berrow to hit the goals to send the Blues up the table in 2025.

Treharris Athletic Western now under the management of Sharief Nassoro and Keiron Jones, face Abertillery Bluebirds at Parc Taf Bargoed, having drawn their last two games, 2-2 with leaders Treowen Stars and 4-4 at Croesyceiliog last week. Two weeks ago Treharris came from 2-0 down against the Stars to draw, thanks to two goals from 16 year old substitute Regan Hawkins on 82 minutes and deep into injury time, his Ardal Southern debut. While last Saturday Regan was making a name for himself again on his first Ardal start, scoring after 28 and 37 minutes, with goals from Adam Richards another 16 year old starting his first Ardal game on 78 and Captain Matthew Sellick salvaging a draw in injury time. Abertillery Bluebirds meanwhile sitting in 10th place opposed to Treharris in 15th, will be looking to avenge last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Abercarn United, although the week before they had pulled off an excellent 2-0 win at Newport Corinthians, Ryan Meredith and Michael Vagg on the scoresheet.

At Coronation Park, Newport Corinthians, in 16th place will be looking to keep in contention with 13th place Tredegar Town, in what is their debut season in the Ardal Southern. The Corries are on the back of a six game losing run in the league, the latest a 3-1 loss at Chepstow Town last Saturday, Nathan Perkins scoring an injury time consolation after good work from substitute Jake Clark. Prior to that they suffered two home defeats, 4-0 to Treowen Stars and 2-0 to Abertillery Bluebirds. Tredegar Town meanwhile had an excellent 3-0 win at Blaenavon Blues two weeks ago, after going into an unassailable 3-0 lead with goals on 3, 15 and 20 minutes, Tye Duggan scoring the first and third with Dafydd Jones scoring from the penalty spot in-between Duggan’s efforts. They will be hoping captain Tomas Lynch can add more goals as well in 2025 to the 32 goals he already has in 62 games.

The final game in the South East this Saturday sees Abercarn United, in 9th place face high flying Chepstow Town, currently in second place in the division. Abercarn have been inconsistent of late, winning two, losing two and drawing one league game, though last Saturday they won 2-0 at Abertillery Bluebirds to lift hopes of a strong finish to 2024. Calwyn Fry set up David Griffiths for the first goal after 15 minutes, while Griffiths helped seal a crucial three points setting up the second goal for Calum Gwillym on 78 minutes. The visitors Chepstow are in excellent form, unbeaten in 8 games, including an Ardal Cup win against Pontyclun. They have won 6 league games during this period and last Saturday produced a 3-1 win against Newport Corinthians at Larkhill Park, Jack Pearson-Brown opening the scoring after good work from Tom Bullock. It was 2-0 on 53 minutes thanks to a Corries own goal and it was left to Christian O’Donnell to seal the win after good work from Matthew Board.

Sunday sees Canton play their 5th home game of the season on a Sunday against Undy. It has produced mixed results to date with just 1 win, 2 draws and a defeat, the last one coming against Caldicot Town two weeks ago, a 2-0 deficit. Their last win came in mid-November a 1-0 over Croesyceiliog, thanks to a goal from 19 year old Elliot Humphries from an assist from Norton Ferreria. They sit in 4th place in the league though, while opponents Undy are in 14th place, having gone 6 games without a win, although they had 2 draws during this period. The last one was last week, a 1-1 home draw with Abergavenny, James Barnes putting Undy ahead in the 35th minute, before they conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time and had defender Louis Lawrence sent off in injury time.

Onto the South West and we have seven games on Saturday, starting with a local derby, Clydach against Pontardawe Town. The home side sit in 13th place in their debut season, while the visitors have shown some good form of late and are up to 4th place after an indifferent start to the season. Clydach haven’t won in three games, but two of those have been draws, including last time out, a 1-1 draw at home to Ynyshir Albions. They had a dream start after just 7 minutes when Gavin Challacombe opened the scoring after great work from Cai Thomas, however the Albions came back to equalise through an own goal after the interval by Dan Swinford. Pontardawe on the other hand are on a 4 game winning streak and produced a fantastic performance last Saturday to win 3-1 at Swansea University, thanks to goals from Arnold Ncube after 30 minutes, Steffan Pryce on 63 minutes and captain Craig Davies on 74 minutes. It promises to be a great game at Coed Gwillym Park.

Another West Wales derby sees Morriston Town host Seven Sisters Onllwyn at the Dingle. Morriston sit currently in 8th place while the visitors are in 12th place with both teams looking to improve their form as they turn into 2025. Morriston suffered a shock home defeat two weeks ago 1-0 against AFC Llwydcoed, although their last win in late November was a superb 3-2 away triumph at Treherbert BGC. Samm Harrison and Nathan Beniamous, put Morriston into an early 2-0 lead, before the home side came back to equalise with goals after 69 and 81 minutes. However 16 year old substitute Josh Howarth, proved to be the hero, scoring an injury time winner. Seven Sisters Onllwyn meanwhile, suffered a 5-2 loss at home to Pontardawe Town two weeks ago, Leon Herdman, equalising after 56 minutes after an assist from Dan Evans and even took a 58th minute lead from a Shay Isaac penalty. However a late collapse, saw Pontardawe score after 79, 84, 89 and deep in injury time to clinch the three points.

South Gower take on Treherbert BGC, with the home side in 9th position and the league newcomers in 10th place. South Gower suffered a 4-0 loss in their last league game two weeks ago, but prior to that had won their two previous league games 1-0 against Pontyclun and 3-2 at Bridgend Street. Ricky Martin was the goalscoring hero against Pontyclun, while two goals from Owen Evans, and a Jack Dixon effort gave South Gower the three points in Cardiff. Treherbert meanwhile have been in some indifferent form of late, winning a thriller at high flying Cefn Cribwr last time out 3-2, thanks to a double from Deacon Greening and a Brandon Thomas effort sandwiched in-between. Prior to that win though they had lost at home to Morriston 3-2, drawn 2-2 at Clydach and lost 4-0 at home to Seven Sisters Onllwyn.

Back at the Riverside on Saturday after recent storm damage, Cardiff Corinthians host Ynyshir Albions. The Corries are in good form, winning their last 3 league games and sit in 6th position, while the Albions are just behind them in 7th place. Two weeks ago the Corries playing at Treforest had a comprehensive 5-1 win against Evans & Williams, Aron Davies taking his total to 19 league goals in just 11 league games, with a hatrick. It was Thierry Otu who opened the scoring though, the first of two assists from Ryan Hamitouche, one of three French signings recently who are studying in Wales. Mackenzie Biggs was also on the scoresheet as Otu also provided 3 assists. The Albions meanwhile are unbeaten in 3 league games, although 2 of these have been draws, the most recent two weeks ago a 1-1 draw at Clydach, a Dan Swinford own goal from Clydach giving Ynyshir a valuable point. Their last win was in mid-November a 1-0 success against Evans & Williams, Joseff Haig scoring the winner on 81 minutes after an assist from Logan Perris.

Across Cardiff sees Bridgend Street take on Cardiff Draconians at Willows Avenue. Bridgend Street back in Tier 3 after an absence of 3 years are currently in 15th place and will have a battle on their hands with league leaders the Dracs visiting` 3 points clear at the top with 4 games in hand. They are still unbeaten this season in the league and have won their last 3 league games, the last a 2-1 win at Pontyclun two weeks ago thanks to goals from captain Luke Bridgeman and a last minute winer from Sam Roberts his 11th goal in 12 league games. The home side have lost their last two league games, both at home to South Gower, 3-2 and Ynysygerwn 5-1. However with Jeff White still producing the goods upfront with 5 goals in 11 league games, they will hope to earn enough wins in 2025, to safeguard their place at this level, while Captain Conor Cusack will be hoping to keep a steady ship at the back to improve their defence displays.

Pontyclun host AFC Llwydcoed at Ivor Park, in what is now a must win game for the home side, having played 19 league games and currently in 16th place without a win this season in the league. AFC Llwydcoed are in 14th place but have only played 10 games to date, so have enough games to make up the 5 point deficit to safety, with 7 games in hand on their nearest rivals Clydach. Pontyclun can take hope from their last 3 performances though, two draws against Swansea University and Ynysygerwn and a narrow 2-1 defeat to Cardiff Draconians, Captain Matthew Jacka scoring from the spot with Pontyclun desperately unlucky to lose to a last minute goal. While AFC Llwydcoed are also unbeaten in their last two league games, a 1-1 draw with Ynyshir Albions and a 1-0 win at Morriston Town, Ricky Carter scoring the winner from the penalty spot, his 4th in 8 league games this season and his 59th goal in 89 games in the Ardal Southern.

Our last game in the South West in 2024 sees Cefn Cribwr face Evans & Williams at the Jewson Stadium. The home side are on a poor run of form having lost their last 3 league games, but still sit in second place in the league, while Evans & Williams have lost 2 of their last 3 league games, currently in 3rd place in their debut season. Two weeks ago Cefn Cribwr lost 3-2 at home to Treherbert BGC, Matthew Symons setting up Jamie Isidoro-Marlowe to give Cribwr a dream start after just 2 minutes, but the visitors were soon level after 22 minutes. Symons was on hand though top assist Rhys Morgan to regain the home sides lead, but in first half injury time, Treherbert were level again. On 56 minutes Treherbert scored again and as Cefn Cribwr desperately sought an equaliser their cause wasn’t helped with Jay Ellis receiving a straight red on 71 minutes and the game ended up finishing 3-2 to Treherbert. Meanwhile Evans & Williams were on the end of a 5-1 defeat two weeks ago Sion Williams briefly giving the away side hope on 70 minutes to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Three late goals through put paid to all hopes of a comeback. The game before though they won 3-0 at home to Clydach, Liam Samuel scoring twice including one from the spot, to make it 7 in 13 games for the ex-Ammanford star, along with an effort from Matthew Williams.