Its the Dragon Signs FAW Trophy this weekend, however due to a rule change, it is not mandatory for Tier 3 clubs to enter this season, so this weekend sees a limited program in the Ardal Southern League. Match Day 2 in midweek didn’t bring the flood of goals we saw in the opening games of the season, but nevertheless there were still 40 goals, with 21 scored in the South West and 19 in the South East.

We have two games Friday and two on Saturday to review, starting at Stebonheath Park as Evans & Williams look to extend their winning start to the season against Pontyclun on Friday evening, a late kick off at 7.45pm in the South West Division.

On Tuesday night, Ynyshir Albions were the visitors to Llanelli and Evans & Williams won the points with a 2-1 win in front of a crowd of 255 to go 2nd in the table. It was a dream start for the home side when Matthew Williams scored after just 3 minutes and Liam Samuel doubling the score midway through the half. It was to prove more difficult for Ynyshir when Alex Rees was sent off soon afterwards. But all credit to them as they made a gallant effort to get something out of the game in the second half, pulling a goal back to push Evans & Williams all the way to hold on for the win. Evans & Williams Player-Manager Richard Lewis is expected to start on Friday, having played at every Tier in Wesh Football and also in Europe. Pontyclun meanwhile suffered a setback, losing 2-0 to South Gower at Ivor Park after drawing their opening game of the season at Cefn Cribwr, 2-2. After a goalless first half in midweek, Peter Banks side, found themselves a goal down early in the second half, before a late goal sealed it for the South Gower. Pontyclun will be looking for more goal threat from their new forward line of Michael Jones (Ton Pentre), Jackson Acreman (Tonyrefail BGC) and Lennie Norris (Dinas Powys) on Friday. This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Our other game this weekend in the South West, will see Cefn Cribwr play their second ever competitive game at the Jewson Cae Gof Stadium against Pontwardawe Town. Cefn Cribwr have had a poor start to the season by their standards, drawing 2-2 at home to Pontyclun and losing surprisingly 1-0 at Bridgend Street in midweek. After a goalless first half, the home side scored what turned out to be the winner midway through the second half at the Willows. Manager Scott Dryden will be looking at a positive response to kick start the season for the club who were unlucky to lose in the play-off final last season after finishing as runners up in the South West. Pontardawe meanwhile made amends in midweek for their opening day defeat to Evans & Williams, with a 2-0 win over AFC Llwydcoed at Parc Ynysderw. After a goalless first half, it was new signing Rhys Dix from Port Talbot Town who won the points for the home side, with two goals in just 3 minutes, the second from the penalty spot. Manager Ben Williams will be looking for more of the same from Dix this weekend with also high hopes at this level for Ben Scannell, signed from Llangyfelach. This will also be the first ever league meeting between the two sides.

Over to the South East and Blaenavon Blues host Croesyceiliog on Friday evening, looking for their first win of the season after defeats against Goytre (2-1) and Treowen Stars (3-1). However this is their first home game of the season at the Memorial Ground, but they warmed up for it with an exciting penalties win last Saturday in the JD Welsh Cup against Treharris Athletic Western. Matthew Burns was the scorer in midweek, giving hope at 2-1 with a few minutes left, before the Stars sealed it with a penalty in injury time. Matthew has scored 29 goals in 56 games since Blaenavon joined the Ardal Southern and a lot will be resting on his goalscoring prowess this season now that Chris Ham has returned to Goytre. Croesyceiliog back in the Ardal Southern after just a one season absence, will be looking to make up for their disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Canton in midweek at Woodland Road. Captain Jack Wellington, will be looking to build on the clean sheet they had on the seasons opener against Caldicot, as the club hope to gain some consistency in form to climb the table this time round, after losing just 3 league games last season in the Gwent Premier League.

Our last game this weekend in the South East, is an exciting clash between Abertillery Bluebirds and Chepstow Town at Cwm Nant Y Groes on Saturday, two of the pre-season favorites to challenge for promotion. The Bluebirds, fresh from their experience of Cymru South last season, will be looking to build on their 4 points so far this season, after a win against Tredegar (7-3) and a draw against Brecon Corries (1-1). A goal midway through the first half from Curtis Methven, in midweek, was canceled out by Brecon on the hour mark and this is how the game remained, leaving Lee Thomas and his Bluebirds top of the table on goal difference. Chepstow meantime went down to a shock defeat to their rivals Caldicot Town in midweek, in a game they were expected to win following their 11-2 opening day of the season win at Undy and Caldicot’s 5-0 defeat at Croesyceiliog. The visitors scored after 15 minutes on Tuesday, but the home side were unable to find a way back into the game with Finnan Maguire-Hamblett sent off for Chepstow deep in injury time. Chepstow currently sit in 6th place in the table, with Mark Ingles looking for a positive reaction to overtake the Bluebirds at the top.