MATCH DAY 25, 2024/25

Match Day 25 and we have a another full program of 16 league matches this weekend but let’s hope we don’t get a lot of cancellations, we lost 6 games last weekend in the South East and 3 games in the South West due to the cold spell.

So lets start with the South East and 2 games on Friday evening. Goytre take on Chepstow Town at Plough Road, 7th place against 2nd place. Goytre haven’t played for 4 weeks, their last game a 1-0 win over Abergavenny Town thanks to a goal from Paul Daniel, assisted by Jamie Bird on 18 minutes. Striker Chris Ham is still 4 goals short of his 100 Ardal Southern goals and will be looking to reach this landmark early in 2025. Chepstow were one of the games on last Saturday and produced a 3-1 home win over Treharris Athletic Western. They didn’t have it all their own way though and were a goal down on 24 minutes, not equalising until the 72nd minute, when substitute Sonny Lewis set up Nathan Rose for the goal. Ten minutes later and Chepstow were ahead, Adam Wakley providing the assist for another substitute Josh Parsons to put Marc Ingles’ side ahead. Three minutes later and it was all but over, Parsons turning provider for Sonny Lewis to score the third. It proved to be an eventful afternoon for Lewis who also picked up 2 yellow cards, the second leading to his sending off in the 86th minute.

The other game on Friday is at Pen-Y-Pound Stadium, where John Lennon landed in a helicopter in 1963. Abergavenny Town in 9th place take on 6th place Abertillery Bluebirds. Neither team played last Saturday, Abergavenny Town finished 2024 with a 2-1 defeat at home to Treowen Stars. The Stars took the lead on 29 minutes, but Abergavenny soon equalised 2 minutes later, Harrison Reynolds scoring, after an assist by Jack Evans to make it all square at the interval. However Treowen scored the winner on 79 minutes to give the visitors the 3 points. Meanwhile the Bluebirds last played two weeks ago when they produced a tremendous 4-3 win at Treharris Athletic Western, taking the lead through Ben Taylor Jnr on 29 minutes assisted by Ryan Meredith. Treharris equalised on 39 minutes though to make it 1-1 at the interval. The home side then took the lead on 61 minutes, before Ben Taylor Jnr scored his second of the game to equalise on 69 minutes, Meredith again the provider for the Bluebirds. Taylor the turned provided for Meredith to put Abertillery 3-2 up after 73 minutes and 18 year old Ieuan Schwank made it 4-2 on 78 minutes after an assist from 16 year old substitute Lewis Pullinger. Treharris scored their third goal deep into injury time, but it was too little too late.

Onto Saturday and first up is Blaenavon Blues who face Undy, 11th v 13th in the South East. The Blues will be looking to arrest two 3-0 defeats in December against Tredegar Town and Caldicot Town respectively, after their last two games against Brecon Corries and Canton were victims to the cold spell. Their last win was at the end of November a 3-0 home win against Abertillery Bluebirds, thanks to goals from Alex Berrow, Bailey Perry and Brandon Williams. Undy though did manage to kick a ball last weekend, losing 3-2 at home to Treowen Stars. They had a great start, Jacob Osborne and Bradley Hanbury, assisting 17 year old James Griffiths-Harrop to score twice in only his second start at this level after three cameo appearances yielding 1, 7 and 4 minutes. He scored on his first ever start against Undy at the end of 2024 and scored 2 more here in the 21st and 25th minutes to give Undy a 2-0 lead at the break. However the Stars pulled a goal back on 47 minutes and two late goals after 87 and deep into injury time broke Undy hearts and a winning start to 2025.

Next its onto Bush Park, where Treowen Stars face Croesyceiliog the league leaders against 8th place. Last Saturday Treowen won 3-2 at Undy after finding themselves 2-0 lead at the interval, after Undy had scored after 21 and 25 minutes. However the Stars pulled a goal back on 47 minutes through Christian Davies and equalised after 87 minutes Tommy James teeing up Aaron Thomas. Just when it looked like it would be a draw, deep into injury time Chris Hartland, the former Cardiff City and Port Talbot Town star, scored the winner to give the Stars a winning start to 2025. Croesyceiliog last played out a 4-4 draw at home to Treharris Athletic Western three weeks ago. They took the lead after 23 minutes Luke Dyke setting up 18 year old Hari Holtham for his second goal at this level. However Treharris bounced back with goals after 28 and 37 minutes to lead at the interval. Dyke was on hand again after the break to set up Owen Llewellyn to equalise and Llewellyn then set up 18 year old substitute Nathan Watts for the first of two goals on 72, the other scored after 77 to give the home side a 4-2 lead. However goals on 78 minutes and deep into injury time earned Treharris a share of the spoils.

Risca United host Canton at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, 12th place against 3rd place, both teams having not played last weekend. Risca haven’t played a month now, their last game a 3-2 home defeat to Chepstow Town. Risca took the lead through Finley Skiverton after 13 minutes assisted by Lloyd Oliver, with Skiverton returning the favour to Oliver who found the net on 23 minutes. Chepstow pulled a goal back though on 26 minutes and the second half saw them score an equaliser on 50 minutes and break Risca hearts in the final minute with a winner. Canton ended 2024 with a 1-1 home draw against Undy, Jordan Carey opening the scoring after just 6 minutes, assisted by Elliot Humphries, but on 23 minutes Undy were level. Canton will be looking to improve on their recent form having not won a game since they beat Croesyceiliog 1-0 in mid-November. Elliot Humphries was the match winner and he is their top scorer with 7 goals in 17 league games this season. They have since drawn 2 and lost 1 league game and will be looking to get their promotion bid back on track.

Newport Corinthians take on Brecon Corries at Coronation Park, with the Corinthians in 15th spot and the Corries in 4th spot. Neither side played last Saturday, so will both be kicking off 2025 looking for a priceless win. The Corinthians will be looking to build on their excellent end to 2024, which arrested a 6 game losing streak in the league. They beat Tredegar Town 3-0 at Coronation Park, opening the scoring after 17 minutes Lewis Brown assisted by Sam Broadribb. Two minutes later it was 2-0 Broadribb again assisting this time Jake Clark, and seconds later Clark was at hand to help Broadribb make it 3-0 and seal a priceless 3 points for the league newcomers. Brecon last played mid-December and are on the back of a 3 game unbeaten streak, their last game a 6-0 win 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.

Abercarn Welfare Ground hosts Abercarn United against Caldicot Town, 10th v 5th in the league. Neither side played last weekend, Abercarn finishing 2024 in disappointing fashion with a 3-0 defeat at home to Chepstow Town, but won their previous league game 2-0 at Abertillery Bluebirds. 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. Caldicot Town will be looking to get their 3-0 cup loss at Swansea University two weeks ago out of their system, after they had been in excellent form of late in the league, unbeaten in 8 games and winning their last 4 league games, their most recent a 3-0 win three weeks ago 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.

Our last game in the South East this weekend is a massive game for both sides at Parc Taf Bargoed where Treharris Athletic Western host Tredegar Town, with both sides currently occupying relegation spots in 16th and 14th places respectively. Treharris started 2025 with disappointment, taking the lead at Chepstow Town through Bina Ibrahim Sani after 24 minutes, a lead they held onto until the 72nd minute when the home side equalised. A point would have been a good result for Treharris but Chepstow had other ideas scoring after 82 and 85 minutes to take the points. Tredegar will be looking to make amends to their disappointing end to 2024, a 3-0 defeat at Newport Corinthians. Their last win was an excellent 3-0 triumph at Blaenavon Blues a month ago. They went 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 to seal the points. 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.

Onto the South West and 10 of our clubs saw action last Saturday. Starting at Pontardawe Town will be looking for their seventh league in on the bounce as they host Morriston Town in a mouth watering local derby, 2nd place against 6th place. Last Saturday Pontardawe hosted Ynysygerwn and ended up with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from captain Craig Davies on 32 minutes assisted by Lithuanian Roman Legavec, who also provided the second goal for Eliott Thomas on 61 minutes. Morriston Town last played two weeks ago, finishing 2024 with an excellent 2-0 home win against Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Charlie Coates opened the scoring after 49 minutes after good work from Samm Harrison and Coates had a chance to put the game safe on 67 minutes but failed from the penalty spot. However substitutes Josh Howarth and Mark Jones combined 5 minutes from time, the latter finding the net for his 4th goal in 8 games in the league this season.

At Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Ynysygerwn take on Treherbert BGC, 11th against 10th in the South West. Last Saturday Ynysygerwn lost 2-0 at Pontardawe Town. Their previous game before this was a month ago, an excellent 5-1 in at Bridgend Street, thanks to a hattrick from Bradley Crooks and a double from captain Joe Humphries. Alex Williams set up two of the goals, along with an assist from Charlie Farrell. Manager Maxx Williams, supported by Nicky Maggs and Paul Burrows will be hoping for more goals from Bradley Crookes in 2025, who now has scored 43 goals in 98 games on the South West. Treherbert meanwhile also played last Saturday but came away with a positive result, 2-0 at home to Swansea University. After a goalless first half, Shane Davies teed up Brandon Thomas to open the scoring on 50 minutes and Thomas then turned provider 7 minutes later for Deacon Greening to make it 20 at Baglan Field, his 7th goal in 11 games in the Ardal Southern.

Cardiff Corinthians play host to Clydach at the Riverside Ground, 8th v 13th with both teams yet to kick a ball in 2025. The Corries haven’t played for three weeks after postponements against AFC Llwydcoed, Ynyshir Albions and Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Their last game was a comprehensive 5-1 win against Evans & Williams, Aron Davies taking his total to 19 league goals in just 11 league games, with a hattrick. 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. Clydach will be glad to see the back of 2024 after a four game winless run, which included a 4-0 home defeat to Pontardawe Town. Their last point was a 1-1 draw at home to Ynyshir Albions a month ago. 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.

At the Swansea University Sports Centre, Swansea University host Cardiff Draconians, 7th place against the league leaders yet to be beaten this season in the league. Swansea University started 2025 on the back foot with a 2-0 defeat at Treherbert BGC. They ended 2024 with a place in the quarter finals of the Ardal Southern Cup, the holders beating Caldicot Town 3-0. Casey Coughlin opened the scoring after 6 minutes assisted by Noah Osborne and the game remained delicately posed until the final stages. First McCauley Power scored from the spot before an injury time goal from the same player sealed the win assisted by Josh Cole. The Dracs started 2025 as they ended 2024 with a win, their sixth in a row in the league and their 11th of the season in 14 games. South Gower were the visitors to Lydstep Park and the Dracs opened the scoring after just 3 minutes, Jacob Benford finishing an assist from Nathan Mathias. South Gower were back on level terms though 2 minutes later, but the Dracs regained the lead after 15 minutes, Sam Roberts teeing up Owain Edwards. On 18 minutes a Mathias assist gave Edwards the chance to make to make it 3-1. As the interval approached the visitors didn’t help their cause for a comeback as an own goal gave the home side a 4-1 interval lead. It was all but over on 57 minutes as Dan Lewis set up Edwards for his second, Luke Davies assisted Sam Crawley on 64 minutes and Roberts got his second on 69 minutes after good work from Dylan Amin. South Gower scored a consolation on 76 minutes but an assist from Davies gave substitute Efu Kazadi the final word for the Dracs to make it 8-2.

Ivor Park sees Pontyclun host Seven Sisters Onllwyn, 14th against 12th in the league. Pontyclun will be looking to bounce back from last Saturdays disappointing 5-0 defeat at Ynyshir Albions, who moved the game to Cambrian to beat the weather. Pontyclun will be looking to ragain the form which they ended 2024 with on a high with a morale boosting 4-1 home win over AFC Llwydcoed. Daniel Roderick gave Pontyclun an early lead after 5 minutes, but an own goal on 33 minutes levelled the scoring. The second half though saw Roderick set up captain Matt Jacka on 51 minutes, with Iestyn Stone assisting Arjen Matthews on 73 minutes, before good work from Roderick sealed the vital 3 points a minute later, with Stone applying the finishing touch. Seven Sisters Onllwyn did not play last Saturday and ended 2024 with a 2-0 defeat at Morriston Town. They have to go back to early November for their last win, a 4-0 triumph at Treherbert BGC thanks to two goals from Leon Herdman, and efforts from Nathan Jones and Iestyn Clement. Lewis Taylor, Nath Jones, Ethan Taylor and Jacob Sadler providing the assists.

South Gower in 9th place take on Evans & Williams in 3rd spot at Scurlage, with both teams looking to improve on last Saturdays performances. South Gower had the disappointment of losing 8-2 at league leaders Cardiff Draconians, Samuel Ash, scoring a 5th minute equaliser thanks to an assist from Jefferson Pinheiro-Brown and Captain Louis Jackson scoring a consolation at 7-1. Evans & Williams will be looking at building on their 3-3 home draw against Bridgend Street, played in sub-zero conditions at Stebonheath Park. Ace Lloyd, son of Welsh Premier Legend Gary Lloyd opened the scoring on the half hour mark, assisted by Matthew Williams and it was soon 2-0 when top scorer Liam Samuel scored his 8th league goal of the season in his 15th game. However Bridgend Street were soon level with goals in the 38th minute and in first half injury time. Evans & Williams thought they had won it 10 minutes from time when Samuel scored again but Bridgend Street had the last word, equalising on 88 minutes to make it 3-3.

The Jewson Stadium sees Cefn Cribwr play host to Ynyshir Albions, 4th v 5th in league positions. This will be the first game for Cefn Cribwr in 2025 having arrested a 3 game losing streak with a goalless draw at home to Evans & Williams as 2024 came to an end. Despite having Arron Weaver sent off after 77 minutes for a second caution, meaning he will sit out this game having played all but 1 game this season in the league, they managed to keep a clean sheet as the game played out. Ynyshir Albions managed to avoid the cold spell last Saturday by switching their game with Pontyclun to the 3G at Cambrian. It proved to work in their favour as they won 5-0, having opened the scoring after 11 minutes, Cody Moon setting up Joseff Haig, for his 7th goal of the season in the league. This is how it remained at the break, but the second half saw the Albions score 4 more, starting in the 50th minute when Zack Philpott assisted Jago Norton to make it 2-0. 61 minutes saw Philpott find the net, Dre Griffiths made it 4-0 on 77 minutes and good work from Haig allowed Captain Jacob Matthews to make it 5-0 on 83 minutes.

The final game this weekend in the South West, sees Bridgend Street face AFC Llwydcoed at Willows Avenue, 16th v 15th in the table. Last Saturday saw Bridgend Street travel to Llanelli to take on Evans & Williams and they came away with a 3-3 draw. Evans & Williams opened the scoring on the half hour mark and it was soon 2-0 in the 36th minute. However with Jeff White leading the Bridgend Street line, they were soon level as Mike Murphy teed up Jayden Allen on 38 minutes and White assisted Nick Berry in first half injury time. Evans & Williams thought they had won it 10 minutes from time when they scored again but Bridgend Street had the last word, excellent approach work from White allowing Cian Hayes to equalise on 88 minutes his first ever goal for the Street after signing from Abergavenny Town in pre-season. AFC Llwydcoed did not play last weekend and will be looking to pull themselves away from the relegation zone in 2025. They had a disappointing end to 2024 with a 4-1 defeat at Pontyclun, an own goal by the home side providing the consolation, in a game where 3 second half goals proved to be the difference. Having only played 11 games though and Bridgend Street 13 games, both clubs will be hopeful of pulling away from the drop zone in 2025.