MATCH DAY 32, 2024/25

Match Day 32 and we have a program of 13 league matches this weekend, while Goytre are our sole hopes in the FAW Amateur Trophy, attempt to play their quarter final tie at Gwydir Park against Llanrwst United after last weekend’s postponement. Goytre are currently in 6th position in the South East, while Llanrwst who 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 where they would play Penygraig United, who play in the Highadmit Projects South Wales Premier League.

The South East sees 6 games on Saturday starting at Treowen Stars who host Abergavenny Town at Bush Park, 1st v 13th in the table. Treowen had an excellent 3-1 home win last weekend over Risca United, Carter Campbell opening the scoring after 9 minutes, although Risca did equalise on 13 minutes. However Chris Hartland set up Corey Jenkins on 17 minutes to make it 2-1 and Hartland himself made sure of the points on the half hour, finishing a move set up by Gavin Meacham. Abergavenny suffered a 2-0 defeat at Blaenavon Blues last weekend, their 7th loss in 8 league games as they battle to pull away from the relegation fight at the bottom of the South East. Captain and goalkeeper Ashley Morris, will be hoping for only their 6th clean sheet of the season but they face an inevitable task at the Stars, who have only lost 2 league games all season.

Larkfield Park plays host to Abercarn United as they take on Chepstow Town, 2nd v 12th place in the league. Chepstow haven’t played since the start of February, 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 Nathan Rose, David Palmer, Matthew Swann, Ryan Wheeler and Matthew Board all found the net to make it 5-3 on penalties and Chepstow now play Evans & Williams in the semi-finals in two weeks’ time. Abercarn earned a point last weekend in a thriller at home to Undy. Alex Adams was first on the score sheet for Abercarn, opening the scoring after 17 minutes at the Welfare Ground, assisted by Rhys Haines, before Undy bounced back to score twice after 19 and 26 minutes. However Abercarn came back to equalise on 32 minutes, Calum Gwillim, just 19, finding the back of the net from a Kyran Howells assist, with his 3rd Ardal Southern goal in 7 appearances since signing from Cwmbran Town last November.

Brecon Corries take on Newport Corinthians at the Rich Field, 4th v 15th in the table. Brecon haven’t played for 3 weeks, when they extended 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. Newport Corinthians meanwhile last played 2 weeks ago, when they suffered a 2-1 loss at Canton, 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.

Parc Taf Bargoed sees Treharris Athletic Western host Undy in a return of their game two weeks ago at the Causeway. Undy came out on top on that occasion with an excellent 3-0 win, 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 Treharris missed an opportunity to score a consolation when Sharief Nassoro missed a penalty in injury time. Treharris didn’t play last weekend but Undy ground out a 2-2 draw at Abercarn United. The home side opened the scoring after 17 minutes at the Welfare Ground, but Undy bounced back to score twice after 19 and 26 minutes, Oliver Smith scoring the equaliser and then Jacob Osborne assisting Dan Jarman to put Undy 2-1 ahead. However Abercarn came back to equalise on 32 minutes and this is how the game remined locked at 2-2.

Croesyceiliog host Blaenavon Blues at Woodland Road, 7th v 8th in the league. Croesyceiliog last played 3 weeks ago, losing a thriller 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 only a consolation on 74 minutes Archer assisting Jordan Hill to find the net. Meanwhile Blaenavon produced an excellent display last Saturday to win 2-0 at home to Abergavenny Town. Jacob Bull assisted with the first goal after 73 minutes, Bailey Perry scoring the first of his two goals, the second coming on 82 minutes to seal the points. This promises to be a close encounter as both clubs look to push on and cement a top 6 finish in the closing weeks of the season.

The final game in the South East this weekend sees Caldicot Town host Abertillery Bluebirds, 5th v 11th in the table. Caldicot last played 2 weeks ago against Risca United 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 suffered their second successive league defeat to dent their play-off hopes. Abertillery Bluebirds haven’t played for a month now having previously lost their two previous games, 4-0 at Croesyceiliog and 3-0 at Undy. The Bluebirds last win was a tremendous 4-3 win at Treharris Athletic Western at the end of December, a double from Ben Taylor Jnr and further goals from Ryan Meredith and 18 year old Ieuan Schwank making sure of the 3 points.

Onto the South West and we have 7 league games this weekend. Starting at Pontardawe Town against Swansea University at Parc Ynysderw, 4th v 7th in the table. Pontardawe have hit a difficult patch recently after previous winning 7 games on the bounce to propel them up the table. The last 4 games have seen 3 draws and a defeat in the league while they also went out of the Ardal Southern Cup to this weekends opponents Swansea University. Last weekend they travelled to Bridgend Street and came away with a 2-2 draw, battling back from 2-0 down after just 13 minutes after the home side had taken the lead after just 3 minutes. Pontardawe left it late for a comeback, Captain Craig Davies setting up Eliott Thomas to pull a goal back on 83 minutes and Roman Legavec coolly firing home from the penalty spot deep into injury time to earn a share of the spoils. Swansea University didn’t play last weekend, but the previous week they came away with a 2-2 draw at the Dingle. The Uni took the lead 1-0 on 8 minutes, Josh Cole scoring from the penalty spot before Morriston equalised through a penalty of their own on 27 minutes. Five minutes later Morriston were ahead, but the Uni came back midway through the second half to equalise Lewis Brooks setting up Ronan Templeton on 77 minutes to earn the draw.

Scurlidge sees South Gower host Ynysygerwn in a West Wales derby, 10th v 11th in the table. South Gower earned a point last weekend at Cefn Cribwr coming from a goal behind on 44 minutes to equalise on 84 minutes, Owen Evans setting up 16 year old substitute Finlay Harris for his 3rd Ardal Southern goal in just 7 appearances since turning 16 earlier this season. The home side went down to 10 men as full time approached with a sending off, but no further goals were scored to leave both sides frustrated with just a point. Ynysygerwn meanwhile produced a performance last weekend, winning 4-2 at Cardiff Corinthians. Ynysygerwn had a great start, Bradley Crooks scoring after just 11 minutes after an assist from Jamie Walsh. The Corries were soon level though on 16 minutes, before Crooks proved to be the provider for Ethan Wright to put the visitors ahead again with his first Ardal Southern goal. Brooks was again on hand to assist Josh Davies to make it 3-1 on 51 minutes, before Brooks scored his second of the game on 76 minutes, assisted by keeper Sam L’Homme. The Corries scored on 87 minutes but it proved to be just a consolation as the final scored ended 4-2 to Ynysygerwn.

Morriston Town host Ynyshir Albions at the Dingle with 2nd v 5th and both clubs on unbeaten runs, the home side, unbeaten in 6 and the visitors unbeaten in 5 games. Morriston won 3-1 last Saturday at home to Treherbert BGC, depauite going a goal down after just 9 minutes. They were back on level terms a minute later though Matthew Bennett setting up Charlie Coates to equalise and on 19 minutes Sam Wilson put Morriston ahead. Coates sealed the points on 35 minutes slotting home from the penalty spot, with the second half remaining goalless. Ynyshir Albions also won convincingly last weekend beating AFC Llwydcoed 4-2 at the M&P Group Stadium home of Cambrian United. Cory Morgan set up Jorrie-Blue Griffiths for the opener on 16 minutes, but AFC Llwydcoed came back and equalised on 31 minutes and even could have taken an interval lead had they not missed a penalty on the stroke of half time. The second half saw substitute Mason Evans assist 17 year old Logan Perris to put the Albions ahead on 58 minutes, before Captain Jacob Matthews provided the opportunity to Cory Morgan to make it 3-1 a minute later. It was all but over on 79 minutes as Josh Owen was on hand to assist Perris for his second and despite AFC Llwydcoed scoring in injury time it was just a consolation as the game ended 4-2 to the Albions.

Bridgend Street have a home game against Treherbert BGC at Willows Avenue, 15th v 9th in the league. Bridgend Street had a well earned point last weekend against Pontardawe, going 2-0 up after 13 minutes, Mike Murphy assisting Andre Phillips for the opener on 3 minutes and then Phillips returning the favour for Murphy to score the second. However when it looked like the 3 points was within their grasp, Pontardawe scored two late goals after 83 and deep into injury time to leave Bridgend Street frustrated, Kark Evans sent off after the final whistle for a second caution. Treherbert suffered a 3-1 loss last weekend at Morriston, despite taking an early lead when Riley Hughes set up Deacon Greening to open the scoring after just 9 minutes. But goals from Morriston on 10, 19 and 35 ensured a disappointing trip down to Swansea for the boys from the valleys. Previous to this game Treherbert had produced two excellent performances at home to AFC Llwydcoed and away at Evans & Williams winning both games 2-0.

Cardiff Corinthians play AFC Llwydcoed at the Riverside Ground8th v 16th in the table. Both clubs suffered disappointing defeats last weekend by the same scoreline, 4-2 against Ynysygerwn and Ynyshir Albions respectively. The Corries didn’t have the best of starts against Ynysygerwn who scored after just 11 minutes, however they were soon level though, Marco Truel assisting his fellow Frenchman Ryan Hamitouche on 16 minutes to equalise. The visitors were ahead again though on 29 minutes and went 3-1 ahead on 51 minutes, before scoring their fourth of the game on 76 minutes. Thierry Otu scored for the Corries on 87 minutes but it proved to be just a consolation as the final scored ended 4-2 to Ynysgerwn. AFC Llwydcoed faced Ynyshir Albions last week at the M&P Group Stadium home of Cambrian United. The Albions opened the scoring on 16 minutes, but AFC Llwydcoed came back and equalised on 31 minutes, Ricky Carter providing the assist for Ross Daniels to level the scores. They could have even taken an interval lead had they not missed a penalty on the stroke of half time by Ricky Carter. The second half saw Albions take the lead again on 58 minutes, before they made it 3-1 a minute later. It was all but over on 79 minutes as Ynyshir scored a fourth and despite AFC Llwydcoed scoring in injury time, 17 year old substitute Caleb Bowley setting up fellow substitute 18 year old Ellis Williams, it was just a consolation as the game ended 4-2 to the Albions.

Pontyclun host Evans & Williams at Ivor Park, the first ever visit for the club from Llanelli, as 13th host 3rd place in the league. Pontyclun haven’t played for 3 weeks, when they produced an excellent 1-0 win against Pontardawe Town. Matthew Jacka scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 11 minutes to clinch the result to build on their excellent 1-1 draw at Cardiff Corinthians the previous weekend, Daniel Roderick setting up the equaliser for George Shewring to earn a valuable point. Evans & Williams meanwhile were involved in a five goal thriller last weekend, winning 3-2 against Seven Sisters Onllwyn at Stebonheath Park. Matthew Williams opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Chris Ferrier made it 2-0 after good work by Dylan Ashford on 32 minutes. The second half saw the visitors pull a goal back on 55 minutes, before Liam Samuel seemed to make the game safe for Evans & Williams three minutes later assisting Llywelyn James for his first goal in the Ardal League. However Seven Sisters Onllwyn provided several anxious moments after pulling a goal back on 81 minutes, but with a player and coach sent off in injury time, it proved only to be a consolation.

The final game this weekend sees Cardiff Draconians host Clydach at Lydstep Park, 1st v 14th in the table. The Dracs will be looking to get back on song after they lost last time out 1-0 at Ynyshir Albions. Previous to that they had beaten Evans & Williams and drawn with both Pontardawe Town and Ynysygerwn. The Dracs are still in a great position 2 points ahead with 2 games in hand, but Morriston Town are now looking at putting pressure on them with all to play for. Clydach will also be looking to get back on track after two defeats earlier in the month, 4-2 at South Gower and 2-0 at home to Bridgend Street. Against South Gower after going goal down, Clydach came back to lead after goals from Cameron Jones on the stroke of half time and Ryan Thomas on 55 minutes, Thomas and Cody Tinkler-Key assisting respectively.