MATCH DAY 29, 2024/25

Match Day 29 and we have a program of 15 league matches this weekend, starting with three on Friday evening. Goytre have a home game against Canton in the South East, with 6th v 3rd place looking for the win which will put pressure on Treowen Stars and Chepstow Town at the top. Goytre had a 2-2 draw last Saturday at Brecon Corries, Jamie Bird assisting Lewis Green for the opener on 15 minutes. Goytre were looking good on 26 minutes as Lewis McCauley set up Thomas Meechan for the second, his first goal since switching from Cwmbran Celtic at the start of January. Chepstow though pulled a goal back shortly before half time and Goytre’s hopes for their fifth win on the bounce was thwarted on 76 minutes as the home side equalised for a share of the spoils. Canton meanwhile also drew last weekend, 1-1 at home on Sunday against Treharris Athletic Western. Canton were a goal behind on 18 minutes, but they equalised on 70 minutes, Bo Cordle held his nerve to slot home from the penalty spot for Canton to stay in contention and take their unbeaten run to 4 league games. All eyes in this game though will be on Chris Ham as he looks for the 2 goals he needs for 100 Ardal Southern goals.

The other Friday game in the South East sees Abergavenny Town host Brecon Corries, 9th v 5th place. Last weekend Abergavenny suffered a 2-0 loss at Caldicot Town, their fourth defeat in a row and Manager Rhys Llewellyn will be hoping his Captain Ashley Morris can at least keep a clean sheet to restore some confidence to his young defence as the home side look for their first win since mid-November when they beat Newport Corinthians 1-0 at Pen-y-Pound Stadium. Brecon Corries will also be looking to get their form back on track after 4 points out of a possible 9 over recent weeks. Last weekend they drew 2-2 at home to Goytre, coming back from 2-0 down shortly before the half hour mark to score just before half time, Joe Cooper setting up Captain Joel Evans. Cooper was also on hand to set up the equaliser for Jack Biggs on 76 minutes, to earn a valuable point. Ex-Welsh Premier defender Damien Daniels, Manager of the Corries, will be looking for a run of wins to mount a challenge on the top 3.

The other game Friday is in the South West as Ynysygerwn take on Ynsyhir Albions, 12th v 6th place. Ynysygerwn last played mid-January, a fantastic 0-0 draw at leaders Cardiff Draconians. The week before Ynysygerwn defeated Treherbert BGC, 2-0 at Llandarcy Park. David Evans opened the scoring on the verge of half time, while a second goal on 62 minutes from 18 year old Evan Jacobs sealed the win, his first league goal at this level. Evans still turns out for the club in the West Wales Youth league and he has scored 6 goals in 5 games this season in that competition. Ynyshir Albions played host to Swansea University last Saturday and found themselves a goal down after just 3 minutes. However Zack Philpott provided an assist for Josh Owen to equalise after 36 minutes as the Albions are now only defeated once in 7 league games.

Onto Saturday and the rest of the league programme sees 5 games in the east and 7 in the west. Starting at Coronation Park, Newport Corinthians host Undy, with 15th taking on 12th in the table. Last weekend Newport Corinthans produced a polished performance to win 3-0 at Risca United and even had the misfortune to miss a penalty while the game was goalless, Sam Broadribb the culprit. However he made amends on 49 minutes to tee up the opener for Lewis Brown to open the scoring and it didn’t get any better for Risca as Joe Ward received his marching orders on 65 minutes for a second caution. There was more drama in the 68th minute as Niall Yeates followed Broadribb in missing from the spot, Lewis Brown set up Sam Beckett to make it 2-0 on 72 minutes, before substitute Joshua Seal, just 16 years old teed up fellow substitute Jake Dymond to make it 3-0 deep into injury time and seal the three points.
The Abercarn Welfare Ground plays host to Abercarn United in 10th place, taking on Risca United, sitting in 13th place in the table. Two weeks ago Abercarn went down 2-1 at home to Canton, falling 2-0 behind before a late consolation after 83 minutes gave them brief hope of salvaging a draw. Jack Bainton was on hand to assist Alex Adams, both coming off the bench, but it was too little too late as Canton held out for the win. Risca meanwhile suffered a 3-0 home loss to Newport Corinthians last Saturday in a game which also saw the visitors fail twice from the penalty spot. The previous week saw Risca produce a hard fought 1-0 win over Undy, Dylan John setting up the only goal of the game for 19 year old Captain Lloyd Oliver on 59 minutes and he now has 11 league goals in 17 games this season.

Croesyceiliog take on Tredegar Town, 7th v 14th in the table at Woodland Road. Two weeks ago Croesyceiliog had an excellent 4-0 win at home over Abertillery Bluebirds who were down to 10 men after just 23 minutes. Jack Sainsbury then opened the scoring from the spot on 24 minutes, and Luke Dyke then assisted Owen Llewellyn to make it 2-0 on 36 minutes, his 36th Ardal goal. Dyke was also on hand to set up Hari Holtham after 37 minutes to make it 3-0 and Holtham then assisted Sam Leek to score the fourth just before the interval. Tredegar suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Treowen Stars last weekend. They were 2-0 down after 14 minutes but were given a lifeline on 41 minutes after an own goal from the visiting keeper. Further goals after 75 and 84 minutes though meant no way back for Tredegar after the euphoria of the 6-4 win the previous week at Abergavenny.

Parc Taf Bargoed plays host to Treharris Athletic Western in 16th place against Blaenavon Blues, in 11th place. Treharris earned a valuable point last Sunday at Canton, in a 1-1 draw. Gavin Robins assisted Joel Queni on 18 minutes to put the visitors ahead but a Canton penalty in the 70 minute earned the home side a draw. Blaenavon last played three weeks ago, earning a 3-0 win over Risca United. Illtyd Caddick opened the scoring on 28 minutes, before Matthew Burns provided an assist for Jacob Bull to make it 2-0 a minute later. Bull then combined after the interval to set up Burns to make it 3-0 on 79 minutes and make sure of the points. The Blues will be looking to honour the memory of former Manager Kenny Morgans this weekend who survived the Munich Air Disaster, 67 years ago, which sadly cost the lives of 23 out of the 44 on board. Five hours after the search was called off he was found by two journalists and after spending 3 weeks in hospital, Ken made a full recovery to go on to play for Swansea, Newport, Barry and Cwmbran after making 17 league appearances while at Old Trafford. Ken managed the Blues for 1972-73 season.

The final game this weekend in the South East sees leaders Treowen Stars face Caldicot Town in 4th place at Bush Park. Last weekend the Stars regained top spot from Chepstow town with an emphatic 4-1 win at Tredegar Town. Christian Davies produced the assist after 6 minutes for top scorer Chris Hartland to open the scoring, while Corey Mitchell teed up Corey Jenkins to make it 2-0 on 14 minutes. An own goal from keeper Cael Jones after 41 minutes gave Tredegar some hope, but further goals from Carter Campbell, assisted by Christian Davies again and Kyle Williams after good work from Corey Jenkins made the final score 4-1 to the Stars. Caldicot meanwhile were home to Abergavenny Town last weekend and produced a professional display to keep a clean sheet and win the game 2-0. After a goalless first half, Sam Swann was on hand to set up Ben Donoghue after 67 minutes and the game was won when deep into injury time substitute Ethan Bowles, was the provider for fellow substitute George Holland to seal the points.
Onto the South West and we start at Ivor Park where Pontyclun in 15th place take on Pontardawe Town in 2nd place. Pontyclun fought out a 1-1 draw last Saturday at the Riverside against Cardiff Corinthians. They went a goal down after just 6 minutes but came back to salvage a draw when Daniel Roderick set up George Shewring to equalise in the 61st minute, to earn a valuable point in their fight to stay up. Pontardawe Town also drew last Saturday, this time to league leaders Cardiff Draconians at Parc Ynysderw. The home side had a dream start when Eliott Thomas set up Captain Craig Davies for the opener after just 6 minutes, but an own goal from Jack Hughes gifted the Dracs an equaliser just before half time. The Dracs then took the lead on 48 minutes but Arnold Ncube, provided an assist for Josh Dorward to find the net on 51 minutes to earn Pontardawe a valuable point in the race for promotion.

Cardiff Draconians have a home game with Evans & Williams at Lydstep Park, looking to get back on winning ways after 3 games without a win. Still on top spot though the Dracs take on an Evans & Williams side in 4th place despite last Saturdays 2-0 defeat at home to Treherbert BGC. Last Saturday the Dracs, were drawing their second game in succession, this time 2-2 at Pontardawe Town. A goal down after just 6 minutes, the Dracs equalised shortly before the interval through a Pontardawe own goal and took the lead on 48 minutes, Ben Vincent setting up Captain Luke Bridgeman to put the visitors 2-1 up, but Pontardawe came back to earn a draw with a goal after 51 minutes. Evans & Williams had chances to score in their game with Treherbert, but after missing good opportunities through Bruno Forkuoh, Richard Lewis and Liam Samuel, fell to two goals on 26 and 70 minutes despite the visitors playing over 30 minutes with 10 men after a dismissal. They will be looking for some good fortune after a 4-1 win at Bridgend Street on their last visit to Cardiff.

The Jewson Stadium sees Cefn Cribwr in 3rd place take on Cardiff Corinthians sitting in 7th place in the table. Last weekend Cefn Cribwr suffered a 3-1 defeat at Morriston Town, despite taking the lead after 35 minutes as Rhys Morgan set up Toby Galliers for the opener. However second half goals on 79, 81 and 84 minutes saw Morriston clinch the points at the Evans Bevans Playing Fields in Baglan. Cardiff Corinthians were at home to Pontyclun last weekend and despite taking the lead in the 6th minute, French ace Marco Truel setting up Aron Davies for his 22nd goal of the season, the visitors came back to equalise just after the half hour to dent Corries hopes of making further ground on the top 6, although they have between 4 and 7 games in hand on their rivals.

Treherbert BGC host AFC Llwydcoed at Baglan Field, 9th v 16th in the table. Treherbert gained an excellent 2-0 win at Stebonheath Park last weekend against Evans & Williams, taking the lead in the 26th minute through Deacon Greening, his 9th goal of the season in the league. After going down to 10 men, when Jake Thomas received a second caution on 59 minutes, the visitors clinched the points with a goal after 70 minutes, Brandon Thomas clinching the points with a clinical finish. AFC Llywdcoed suffered an agonising defeat on penalties last weekend after putting up a brave performance against South East high flyers Chepstow Town at Taffs Well in the Ardal Southern League Cup. After a dream start when Dewi Abbruzzese scored the opener, Chepstow came back to equalise on 47 minutes with the game ending 1-1 and a penalty shootout followed. Goals from Gabriel Williams, Leon Jacka and Cian Cable kept AFC Llwydcoed in the game, but a Bradley Wickham miss proved costly as Chepstow on the shootout 5-3.

Bridgend Street face Morriston Town at Willows Avenue, 14th v 5th in the table. Bridgend Street earned a great win last weekend at relegation rivals Clydach, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. After a goalless first half, Street took the lead on 61 minutes, mike Murphy slotting home from the penalty spot and it was Conor Jones who clinched the vital points a minute from time with the second. Morriston Town will be travelling to Cardiff in good form after last weekend’s superb finish home win over Cefn Cribwr. A goal down at the interval, Morriston equalised on 79 minutes, 17 year old substitute Josh Howarth setting up fellow substitute Charlie Coates to find the net. Two minutes later Coates himself was on hand to assist another substitute Mark Jones to put Morriston ahead, while the points were clinched on 84 minutes Howarth, scoring the third for Morriston in their temporary home at Baglan.

South Gower take on Clydach in a West Wales Derby at Scurlage, 11th v 15th, looking to get some form back after three defeats on the bounce. Last weekend they travelled to Seven Sisters Onllwyn and suffered a 3-0 defeat, as the home side struck on 67, 81 and 83 minutes. South Gower’s last week was the last game of 2024, a 3-2 win over Treherbert BGC, six games ago. Manager Ben Leahy will be hoping his side can find some form to prevent them slipping into a relegation battle. It’s a real 6 pointer, as Clydach look to put their disappointing 2-0 home defeat to rivals Bridged Street behind them and look more for the form of a fortnight ago when they won 3-2 at Cefn Cribwr. All eyes will be on their 14 goal top scorer Ryan Thomas to provide the spark to earn a result, with only 1 win in the last 8 games.

The final game this weekend in the South West, sees Swansea University play host to Seven Sisters Onllwyn at the University Sports Centre, 8th v 10th. Swansea University were on the road last weekend, earning a 1-1 draw in the Rhondda against Ynyshir Albions. The Uni had a dream start taking the lead after just 3 minutes, Logan Jenkins, setting up Connor Brooks for the opener. However the home side equalised at the Ynyshir Oval on 36 minutes as the game stayed at 1-1 for the remainder of the 90 minutes. Seven Sisters Onllwyn will be looking to produce their third win on the bounce after their 3-0 win over South Gower last weekend to follow up their previous 2-1 win at Bridgend Street. After a goalless first half, Brooklyn Drake provided the assist for Emyr James to score the opener after 67 minutes before Jacob Sadler was on hand to set up the second for Harri Powell on 81 minutes. The points were sealed two minutes later as Leon Herdman scored a solo effort to make the final score 3-0.