MATCH DAY 31, 2024/25

Match Day 31 and we have a program of 13 league matches this weekend, while Goytre are our sole hopes in the FAW Amateur Trophy as they travel to Llanrwst United in the quarter finals at Gwydir Park. Goytre are currently in 6th position in the South East, while Llanrwst play in the Ardal Northern, North West League are currently in 8th position. Goytre are unbeaten in 6 games, winning 5 of them and dispatched Penydarren BGC in a thriller in the last round, Chris Ham scoring twice along with Jamie Bird and Lewis Green. Ham has scored 14 goals this season and needs just 2 league goals to become the first player to score 100 goals in the Ardal Leagues. Llanrwst though have some dangerous players themselves most notably Callum Parry, who has hit 16 goals in 28 games this season. Good luck to Goytre as they bid to reach the semi-finals.

The South East sees 6 games on Saturday starting at Tredegar Town who host Caldicot Town at the Leisure Centre, with the clubs in 13th and 5th places respectively. Tredegar last played two weeks ago at Croesyceiliog winning a thriller despite going a goal down after 41 minutes. Tredegar came fighting back to equalise on 43 minutes Dafydd Jones setting up Aarran Caffell, before Tye Duggan was on hand to assist Caffell for his second on 49 minutes. Croesyceiliog equalised on 52 minutes, but Tredegar scored again after 71 minutes Caffell on hand to set up substitute Tom Lynch and Duggan scored the fourth two minutes later to make it 4-2. Croesyceiliog scored what proved to be a consolation on 74 minutes but Tredegar saw the game out for a priceless 3 points. Caldicot meanwhile faced Risca United last Saturday at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence and found themselves 2-0 down after 29 minutes after Risca had opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Sam Swann hit home a penalty on 68 minutes to give Caldicot hope of a comeback, but a goal in injury time ended all those hopes as Caldicot went to their second successive league defeat to dent hopes of a play-off push.

Bush Park sees Treowen Stars face Risca United 1st v 8th in the table. The Stars were last in action 2 weeks ago, when they had a convincing 4-0 win over Caldicot Town. Ex Merthyr Town midfielder Corey Jenkins opened the scoring after 14 minutes, assisted by Gavin Meacham, before Chris Hartland made it 2-0 on 36 minutes, Christian Davies on hand to set the goal up. Hartland was hand to score his second on 70 minutes, Jenkins assisting, while Hartland completed his hattrick on 77 minutes to give the Stars three points with the 4-0 win. Risca United meanwhile won their second game in succession last weekend, also beating Caldicot Town this time 3-1. Finley Skiverton was on hand to assist Morgan Stead after 16 minutes, before Callum Hutton set up Lloyd Oliver to give Risca a 2-0 win on 29 minutes. The visitors pulled a goal back from the spot on 68 minutes, but Skiverton was on hand to lay on the final goal of the game for Hutton to seal the points for Risca United.

At the Rich Field, Brecon Corries take on Croesyceiliog, 7th v 4th in the table. Brecon last played 2 weeks ago extending their unbeaten run in the league to 3 games with an excellent 3-1 win at Abergavenny Town. They went 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 scored 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. Croesyceiliog lost a thriller two weeks ago 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.

Abercarn United host Undy at the Abercarn Welfare Ground, 14th v 11th in the table with both clubs looking for a win to help them move up the table and not be involved in the end of season fight for survival. Two weeks ago Abercarn 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. Undy on the other hand had an excellent 3-0 home win over Treharris Athletic Western last weekend, taking the lead on 38 minutes as Oliver Smith assisted Gareth Cullimore to open the scoring. It was 2-0 on 65 minutes as Jacob Osborne was on hand to set up Dan Jarman for his 5th goal of the season. Captain James Gidney provided the assist for Bradley Hanbury to seal the points on 87 minutes and the visitors missed an opportunity to score a consolation when they missed a penalty in injury time.

Blaenavon Blues face Abergavenny Town at the Memorial Ground, 10th v 12th in the South East. The Blues last played 2 weeks ago when they had a 2-1 win at Treharris Athletic Western, Jacob Bull setting up the first goal after just 2 minutes for Alex Berrow. The home side equalised after 10 minutes but Blaenavon regained the lead when Perry Bailey scored after 66 minutes. It was not over yet as Berrow was sent off on 72 minutes but Treharris failed to capitalise on the 10 men of the Blues as they hung on for the points. Abergavenny will be looking to find some form after losing their last 5 games and haven’t won since beating Newport Corinthians in November. They lost 3-1 at home to Brecon Corries 2 weeks ago, going 2-0 down after just 23 minutes. It was 3-0 on the hour and despite Zach Duke setting up 16 year old Harrison Reynolds on 78 minutes, they were unable to continue their comeback as the Corries saw the game out.

The final game this weekend is at Coronation Park, where Newport Corinthians face Treharris Athletic Western, 15th v 16th in the table. New port Corinthains suffered a 2-1 loss at Canton last weekend, which brought to an end 4 league wins on the bounce. They were a goal down after 24 minutes, but came back to equalise on 56 minutes, Kris Leek finding the net. However they failed to hold on for a draw as Canton scored the winner on 74 minutes, to keep up their promotion push. Treharris Athletic Western suffered a 3-0 loss last weekend at Undy. The previous week Treharris had also lost 2-1 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.
Onto the South West and we have 7 games this weekend. Clydach take on leaders Cardiff Draconians, sitting in 14th place having lost their last 2 games after a great away win at Cefn Cribwr. Last weekend they lost 4-2 at South Gower, after going a goal down after 5 minutes but then seeing the home side have a player sent off on 39 minutes. An equaliser soon came in first half injury time, Ryan Thomas assisting Cameron Jones, before Ryan Thomas put Clydach ahead on 55 minutes, set up by Cody Tinkler-Key. However goals on 81, 86 and a fourth in injury time saw the home side clinch an unlikely 4-2 win. The Dracs also lost last weekend 1-0 at the Ynyshir Oval against Ynyshir Albions. They had won the previous week at home to Evans & Williams 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 were unbeaten in their last 3 games, having lost just once all season at Swansea University until last weekend’s shock defeat.

Ynyshir Albions take on AFC Llwydcoed, 6th v 16th, having moved their game from the Oval to the M&P Group Stadium home of Cambrian United. Last weekend Ynyshir produced a 1-0 win over Cardiff Draconians becoming only the second team to beat the Dracs in the league this season. Logan Perris set up the only goal of the game for Cory Morgan after just 9 minutes and this is how the game finished. AFC Llwydcoed have now lost their last 2 league games, suffering a 3-0 loss last weekend at Evans & Williams. The week before they had lost 2-0 at Treherbert BGC. 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 won the shootout 5-3.

Cefn Cribwr host South Gower at the Jewson Stadium, 5th v 10th in the table. The home side last played two weeks ago when they fought out a tough 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff Corinthians. Jack Teisar opened the scoring for Cefn Cribwr after 10 minutes, but on 66 minutes the Corries were level. Arron Weaver was sent off in injury time for Cefn Cribwr and they were let off when Corries missed a penalty deep into injury time, coach Tom Warren also receiving his marching orders. South Gower received a timely boost last weekend when they came back to beat Clydach 4-2 at home after 3 straight defeats. Finley Harris opened the scoring for South Gower after an assist from Owen Evans, but Clydach hit back equalise on the stroke of half time after South Gower star Jefferson Brown-Pinheiro had been sent off on 39 minutes. The visitors then took the lead in the 55th minute and it was looking bleak for South Gower until Captain Toby Link-Jones found the net, assisted again by Evans. It was Owen Evans himself who put South Gower ahead on 86 minutes and he provided the assist to clinch the game in injury times substitute Liam Bennett scoring the final goal to make it South Gower 4 Clydach 2.

The Dingle sees home side Morriston Town host Treherbert BGC, 3rd v 9th respectively. Morriston had a hard fought 2-2 draw with rivals Swansea University last weekend, going 1-0 behind on 8 minutes to a Uni penalty but equalising through a penalty of their own on 27 minutes Samm Harrison making no mistake from the spot. Five minutes later Morriston were ahead, Charlie Coates finding the net, but the Uni came back midway through the second half to equalise and earn a share of the spoils. Treherbert BGC will be looking for their third win on the bounce after excellent wins at Evans & Williams (2-0) three weeks ago, and 2-0 at home to AFC Llwydcoed last weekend. They opened the scoring after 26 minutes against AFC Llwydcoed, 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 consecutive week.

Bridgend Street host Pontardawe Town at Willows Avenue, 15th v 2nd in the table. Street suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Morriston Town two weeks ago 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. Pontardawe lost 1-0 at Pontyclun two weeks ago and the previous week had drawn 2-2 at home to Cardiff Draconians. Pontardawe 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.

The Riverside Ground in Cardiff, sees Cardiff Corinthians play host to Ynysygerwn 8th v 12th in the table. Cardiff Corinthians have drawn their last four games 1-1, albeit they won one of them on penalties in the Ardal Southern League Cup where they will face Swansea University in the semi-finals. Last weekend they travelled to Cefn Cribwr, where they were a goal down after 10 minutes but came back to equalise on 66 minutes Thierry Out setting up Chris Worsley for the equaliser. They were unable to find the winner though despite Cefn Cribwr having a player sent off in injury time and top scorer Aron Davies having a great opportunity to clinch the win, with a penalty soon afterwards but he wasn’t able to add to his 22 league goals this season. Ynysygerwn meanwhile also drew 1-1 last time out, drawing with Ynyshir Albions two weeks ago 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.

The final game this weekend is at Stebonheath Park, as Evans & Williams take on Seven Sisters Onllwyn, 4th v 11th in the table. Evans & Williams won 3-0 at home to AFC Llwydcoed last weekend, opening the scoring on 31 minutes, Matthew Williams setting up top scorer Liam Samuel to find the net. It was 2-0 on 67 minutes, Dylan Ashford on hand assisting Rhys Watson to find the net, The icing on the cake came on 79 minutes Chris Ferrier on hand to set up Samuel for his second of the game, his 11 in 20 games this season in the South West. Leo Williams, just 16 then entered the fray to make his first team debut for Evans & Williams, after 11 goals in 7 games in reserve team football. Seven Sisters Onllwyn last played 2 weeks ago, a disappointing 5-0 defeat at Swansea University. 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.