MATCH DAY 30, 2024/25

Match Day 30 and we have a programme of 13 league matches this weekend, starting on Friday evening at Stebonheath Park as Evans & Williams in 5th place host AFC Llwydcoed, in 16th place but with games in hand. Last Saturday Evans & Williams were unlucky to lose 1-0 at league leaders Cardiff Draconians, the first ever meeting between the clubs at Lydstep park. They fell behind to a goal in the 20th minute, but failed to get back in the game. Leo Williams, just 16 is on standby to make his First Team debut for Evans & Williams after 11 goals in 7 games for the clubs two reserve sides. AFC Llwydcoed are well accustomed to Stebonheath after playing Llanelli Town in the old Welsh League days. They lost 2-0 at Treherbert BGC last weekend and will be looking to get some points from their trip west for them to climb the table. The week before AFC Llywdcoed suffered an agonising defeat on penalties against Chepstow Town after putting up a brave performance against the South East high flyers 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.

Saturday sees a further 6 games in the South West starting at Cardiff Corinthians where they host South Gower at the Riverside 8th v 10th in the table respectively. The Corries fought out a 1-1 draw at the Jewson Stadium last Saturday against Cefn Cribwr, after going a goal down after just 10 minutes. They were back on level terms in the 66th minute, Thierry Out setting up Chris Worsley for the equaliser and they could have won it in injury time, but South West top scorer Aron Davies couldn’t take advantage from the spot as the home side saw red twice. South Gower meanwhile won their first game in four attempts last weekend, at home to Clydach. They had a dream start after just 5 minutes, Finlay Harris finding the net after good work from Owen Evans. However they suffered a set back on 39 minutes as Jefferson Brown-Pinheiro received his marching orders after a second caution. It was to get worse as Clydach equalised in first half injury time and on 55 minutes South Gower fell behind, as Clydach made it 2-1. However South Gower were back in it on 81 minutes, Evans assisting again for Toby Link-Jones to equalise. Just when it looked like both teams would share the spoils, Evans scored himself on 86 minutes as had his hattrick of assists in injury time as Liam Bennett made it 4-2 to South Gower.

Over at Ivor Park, Pontyclun host Bridgend Street 13th v 15th and a game either side cannot lose in the relegation battle, especially Pontyclun with just 5 games left. Last Saturday they produced a lifeline with a 1-0 win over high flying Pontardawe Town, Matthew Jacka scoring the all important goal from the penalty spot on 11 minutes. Manager Glyndwr Davies will be hoping they can continue to make a fight of it in their remaining games as the promotion favourites in the first two seasons of the Ardal Southern look to survive at this level. Bridgend Street suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Morriston Town last Saturday and will be hoping they can generate the form of the previous week when they beat rivals Clydach 2-0, keeping a clean sheet. 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.

Seven Sisters Onllwyn take on Treherbert BGC at the Welfare Ground, 11th v 7th, looking to bounce back from their disappointing 5-0 defeat at Swansea University last weekend. They were 2-0 down at the interval and suffered further goals against them after 60, 70 and 73 minutes, Swansea University even missing an 82nd minute penalty. It had been a different story in their two previous games with wins over South Gower (3-0) and Bridgend Street (2-1), arresting a four game losing streak. Treherbert BGC will be looking for their third win on the bounce after excellent wins at Evans & Williams (2-0) and last Saturday, 2-0 at home to AFC Llwydcoed. They opened the scoring after 26 minutes Joe Eason finding the net after good work from Shane Davies, who then assisted again for Christian Bethell to make it 2-0 on 31 minutes to give Manager Liam Goatson a happy weekend for the second week running.

Ynshir Albions in 6th place host Cardiff Draconians at the Ynyshir Oval, looking to cause an upset against the team who continue to set the pace at the top of the South West. Ynyshir drew 1-1 last Friday away at Ynysygerwn, their second 1-1 on the bounce but they are now unbeaten in 3 games. The Albions took the lead on 16 minutes, Cory Morgan setting up Jorrie-Blue Griffiths to find the net to make it 1-0, but shortly before half time Ynysygerwn were level and this is how the game remained. Cardiff Dracs were home to Evans & Williams last weekend and ground out a 1-0 victory, thanks to the only goal from Harri Edwards assisted by Callum Beckett after 20 minutes, his 4th goal in 8 games since his November transfer from Taffs Well. The Dracs are now unbeaten in their last 3 games, having lost just once all season at Swansea University.

Clydach have a local derby against Ynysygerwn at Coed Gwilym Park, with the sides sitting in 14th and 12th place respectively. Last weekend Clydach suffered a 4-2 loss at South Gower, despite coming from behind to lead 2-1 against 10 men South Gower. Clydach equalised in first half injury time, Ryan Thomas assisting for Cameron Jones to find the net and on 55 minutes Clydach scored again as Cody Tinkler-Key set up Ryan Thomas to make it 2-1. However goals on 81, 86 and 91 gave the home side the points and left Clydach thinking of what might have been. Ynysygerwn meanwhile are 3 games unbeaten, drawing 1-1 against Ynyshir Albions last Friday at Llandarcy Park. Despite going a goal down on 16 minutes, Captain Joe Humphries provided an assist for Alexander Powell to equalise on 42 minutes, his first goal at this level for nearly two years.

Morriston Town are back at the Dingle after playing the last two games at Baglan and Afan Lido. They host Swansea University in a City derby, with the clubs in 4th and 7th place respectively. Last weekend they won a tight game 1- at Bridgend Street, Samm Harrison scoring the only goal from the penalty spot after 36 minutes. Morriston had won their previous two league games against Cefn Cribwr (3-1) and Pontyclun (1-0). Swansea University meanwhile are now 3 games unbeaten since their shock loss at Evans & Williams last month. Last week they were unplayable as they won 5-0 against Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Daniel Ingram was on hand to lay on the first goal for last season’s joint top scorer Josh Cole on 22 minutes and 5 minutes later Casey Coughlin assisted Lewis Brooks to make it 2-0. It was 3-0 on the hour, Brooks assisting Coughlin, while Brooks scored his second on 70 minutes, Cole providing the assist. Cole scored his second himself 3 minutes later with Regions Cup star Noah Osborne assisting, while Swansea University even had the luxury of missing from the spot on 82 minutes although it cost Cole his hatrick which would have been his second at this level, his first against Canton last season.

Onto the South East and there’s 6 league games this week all on Saturday. Abertillery Bluebirds play host to Croesyceiliog at Cwm Nant Y Groes, with the clubs currently sitting in 8th and 7th place respectively. The Bluebirds have lost their last two games, 4-0 at Croesyceiliog and 3-0 at Undy so will be out for revenge against their opponents today. Croesyceiliog lost a thriller last Saturday at home to Tredegar Town, despite taking a 33rd minute lead, Owen Llewellyn scoring from a Brad Archer assist. Tredegar came fighting back with goals after 43 and 49 minutes, but 18 year old Nathan Watts was on hand to equalise, to make it 4 goals in 11 games in the Ardal Southern. Tredegar scored again though after 71 and 73 minutes, before Croesyceiliog scored what proved to be a consolation on 74 minutes Archer assisting Jordan Hill to find the net. The game between Croesyceiliog and the Bluebirds three weeks ago saw a 4-0 win for Croesyceiliog with the Bluebirds down to 10 men after just 23 minutes, Lewis Clark seeing red. 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, the final goal of the game.

Canton play at home at the House of Sport against the inform Newport Corinthians 3rd place against 14th place in the table. Canton suffered a heavy loss last week away at Goytre, despite taking the lead when Jack Wheten assisted Elliot Humphries to open the scoring after 21 minutes. However goals from the home side on 45, 46, 58 and 90 proved the downfall for Canton, despite Ardal Southern record goalscorer Chris Ham failing on this occasion to add to his 98 league goals. Newport Corinthians meanwhile have been in excellent form, winning their last 4 league games comprehensively, conceding only 1 goal and scoring 13 in the process. Last week they were home to Undy, and opened the scoring after 29 minutes Lewis Brown setting up Max Holley to score first. It was 2-0 on 53 minutes, Kris Leek assisting Niall Yeates to find the net, but Undy pulled a goal back in injury time to give a flicker of hope. However substitute Jake Dymond was on hand to lay on a plate a chance for Kushal Phuyal and the man from Nepal make no mistake to give Newport Corinthians a 3-1 win.

Undy play Treharris Athletic Western at the Causeway, with the clubs 15th and 16th respectively in the table. Undy suffered a 3-1 loss last week at Newport Corinthians but will be looking to reproduce their form of the previous week when they beat Abertillery Bluebirds 3-0 with Harris Thomas, James Gidney and Jack Morgan on the scoresheet. It was not to be against the Corries though, Dan Jarman scoring the consolation in injury time as the home side scored after 29, 53 and injury time themselves. Treharris Athletic Western suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat last weekend to Blaenavon Blues despite coming back strongly from conceding after 2 minutes to equalise on 10 minutes Ibby Sani setting up Aladje Sani to find the net. However the Blues scored the winner on 66 minutes and Treharris Athletic Western failed to get back in the game despite their opponent playing out the last 18 minutes with 10 men.

Abercarn United play Goytre at Abercarn Welfare Ground, 13th against 9th in the table. Abercarn have lost their last 4 games and are in need of a morale boosting result as they are just hovering above the bottom three at present. Last Saturday they lost 2-1 at home to Risca United not having the best of starts after finding themselves 2-0 down after just 6 minutes. Calum Gwilym did set up Alex Adams after 24 minutes to give hope of a comeback but it didn’t materialise as they lost their second home game in succession by a 2-1 scoreline. Goytre are in white hot form, unbeaten in 6 games and in the quarter finals of the FAW Trophy where they go to Llanrwst United next weekend with all Ardal Southern hopes resting on their shoulders. They won 4-1 last weekend against Canton, a convincing victory after going a goal down after 21 minutes. Shaun Moss was on hand to provide the assist for the equaliser, Lewis Green on hand to find the net, while Thomas Meechan helped to turn the contest providing the opportunities for Chris Parry and then Blake Tovey to put Goytre in a strong position after 46 and 58 minutes respectively. It was left Meechan to register a hattrick of assists deep in injury time setting up 18 year old substitute Alfie Young to make it 4-1 and send Goytre Manager Jason Murphy home happy. Chris Ham remains on 98 Ardal Southern goals.

Brecon Corries take on Chepstow Town in a top 4 clash with the home side in 4th place and the visitors in 2nd place in the table. Brecon are 3 games unbeaten in the league and last Saturday produced an excellent 3-1 win at Abergavenny Town, going 2-0 up inside 23 minutes, first Captain Joel Evans found the net and then Joe Cooper provided the assist for Craig Evans to score the second. It was 3-0 on 59 minutes and almost over, as Craig Evans scoring his second of the game and despite Abergavenny pulling a goal back on 78 minutes, it was too little too late for the home side. Chepstow last played two weeks ago an Ardal Southern Cup quarter final away at AFC Llwydcoed who played the game at Taffs Well. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes, as Chepstow came back from a goal down after just 9 minutes to equalise on 47 minutes Oliver Melling providing the assist for Sonny Lewis to find the net. Onto penalties and Chepstow struck first Nathan Nose firing home, AFC Llwydcoed scored their first penalty before David Palmer scored Chepstow’s second of the shootout. AFC Llwydcoed equalised before Matthew Swann, made it 3-2 to Chepstow. AFC Llwydcoed followed suit to make it 3-3 before Ryan Wheeler made it 4-3 to the visitors. Then the moment of truth as AFC Llwydcoed failed their fourth and it was left to Matthew Board to fire home to make it 5-3 on penalties and Chepstow were consequently drawn to face Evans & Williams in the semi-finals.

The final game this weekend in the South East, sees Risca United play host to Caldicot Town, 10th v 5th in the table. Rsica produced an excellent 2-1 win last weekend at Abercarn United, taking a 2-0 lead within 6 minutes, firstly Lloyd Oliver setting up Finley Skiverton to open the scoring and then Skiverton returning the favour for Oliver to score the second. Abercarn pulled a goal back after 24 minutes, but the scoreline remained 2-1 to the visitors as they took away a welcome three points. Caldicot Town suffered a 4-0 defeat last Saturday at league leaders Treowen Stars but the week previous produced a 2-0 home win over Abergavenny Town with a professional display to keep a clean sheet and win the game. 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.