MATCH DAY 33, 2024/25

Match Day 33 and we have a program of 13 league matches this weekend, 7 in the South East and 6 in the South West. Starting at The CCB Centre of Sporting Excellence, Risca United host Tredegar Town, 9th v 15th in the table. Risca sat out last weekend due to Goytre being involved in the FAW Amateur Trophy, and lost 3-1 at Treowen Stars two weeks ago, Finley Skiverton scoring the Risca goal after 13 minutes to equalise Treowen Stars opener but the Stars went on to score two further goals on 17 and 30 minutes to take the points. The previous week Risca had won 3-1 against Caldicot Town. 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 in injury time. Tredegar Town haven’t played for a month when they travelled to 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.

Abercarn United take on Abertillery Bluebirds at the Welfare Ground, 13th v 12th in the table. The home side travelled to Chepstow Town last weekend and were unlucky to lose 1-0 to a goal on 67 minutes. Abercarn earned a point two weeks ago 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. Abertillery Bluebirds meanwhile lost 4-0 last weekend at Caldicot Town, their first game for a month 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.

At Coronation Park, Newport Corinthians take on Chepstow Town 11th v 2nd in the table. Last weekend Newport had a superb win at high flying Brecon Corries, Sam Broadribb laying on Captain Nathan Perkins to find the net for the only goal of the game. This was their 5th win in 6 games after their blip three weeks ago losing 2-1 to 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. Chepstow ground out a hard fought 1-0 win last weekend at home to Abercarn United. After a goalless first half, Captain Harry Waterhouse assisted Iestyn Davies to find the net and earn the promotion hopefuls 3 priceless points.

Brecon Corries take on Treharris Athletic Western at the Rich Field, 5th v 16th in the table. Brecon suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat last Saturday which brought to an end a 3 game unbeaten run, Newport Corinthians scoring the only goal of the game after 23 minutes. Their last win was a month ago, 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. Treharris are fighting for their status at Tier 3 and did themselves no harm last weekend with a 1-0 win over Undy at Parc Taf Bargoed. It brought an end to a 9 game streak without a win, Gavin Robins setting up Saul Tanhai for the only goal just after the break. It keeps them within 7 points of safety and with 9 games left who would bet against them achieving this with Wales Intermediate coach Richard Williams joining the coaching team, the ex-Millwall player who played for Treharris in the 80s.

Caldicot Town are at Jubilee Way against league leaders Treowen Stars with the home side aiming to join the race for promotion from 4th place. Last weekend they were in hot form winning 4-0 at home to Abertillery Bluebirds. George Holand set up the first after 24 minutes for Algerian striker Lyes Mihoubi and it wasn’t until the second half when they scored the second Sam Watkins assisting Ben Donoghue on 51 minutes. The visitors were down to 10 men on 68 minutes after a second yellow and the game was almost over on 87 minutes as Donoghue set up substitute Laurent Ngunjoh. Deep into injury time Holland was again on hand to assist Donoghue for his second of the game. The visitors also kept a clean sheet last weekend, winning 3-0 at home to Abergavenny Town. Chris Hartland scored the opener after just 3 minutes from the penalty spot, while he was on hand to set up Corey Jenkins on the verge of half time to make it 2-0. Jenkins then provided the assist himself for the final goal Captain Christian Davies applying the finishing touch.

Blaenavon Blues host Goytre at the Memorial Ground, 7th v 6th in the table. Blaenavon produced a thrilling win last weekend 3-2 at Croesyceiliog, taking the lead from the penalty spot after 13 minutes through Matthew Burns. They suffered a setback though in the second half Croesyceiliog scoring twice in close succession after 70 and 72 minutes but on 74 minutes Burns was on hand for his second after good work from Bailey Perry. Fittingly it was Burns who scored the winner and his hattrick on 82 minutes finishing off an assist from Scottish midfield star Kai Burton. Goytre suffered disappointment last weekend on their long trip now to face Llanrwst United in the quarter finals of the FAW Amateur Trophy. They were 3-0 down at the interval after goals on 27, 36 and 45 minutes but could only score a consolation a minute from time, Connor Hanford assisting Lewis Green to find the net. They haven’t played in the league for a month when they won 4-1 at home to Canton and Captain Chris Ham is now just 2 goals away from being the first player to score 100 Ardal Southern goals.

Canton play host to Abergavenny Town in the final South East game this weekend, 3rd v 14th in the table. Canton haven’t played for 3 weeks, their last game being a 2-1 win over Newport Corinthians. Gambian born Sanna Jawo set up the opening goal for John Clark on 24 minutes and despite the visitors equalising on 56 minutes it was left to substitute Elliot Humphries to set up the winning goal for Caylem Palmer on 74 minutes. Abergavenny Town will be looking to stop a 7 game losing streak that saw them lose 3-0 at Treowen Stars last weekend. They haven’t won since beating Newport Corinthians in November, 1-0 Adam Davies setting up Harri Moyle for the only goal of the game.

Onto the South West and South Gower host Bridgend Street 9th v 13th, in good form after their 2-1 home win over Ynysygerwn last weekend. Jack Jones was on hand to assist Alexander Arnold to open the scoring after 18 minutes and it was 2-0 on 68 minutes, Captain Bruno Morris assisting Owen Evans. Ynysygerwn did pull a goal back with a penalty after 78 minutes but South Gower run the game out to make it unbeaten in three games since their 3-0 defeat at Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Bridgend Street produced a great win last weekend 3-2 at home to Treherbrt BGC at Willows Avenue. Conor Cusack opened the scoring after 17 minutes, but 2 minutes last Treherbert were level. Cusack then set up Jeff White to put the Street back in front on 23 minutes, however just after the interval the visitors were back level on 48 minutes. 56 minutes saw Bridgend Street Manager Joey Rees dismissed, but this didn’t effect their performance as Abdul Mohsin was on hand to assist Jeff White for his second of the game and his 9th league goal of the season on 70 minutes to clinch the 5 goal thriller and a priceless three points in their relegation fight.

Ynysygerwn face a West Wales Derby for the second week in succession when they host Swansea University at Llandarcy Park 11th v 7th in the table. They last played on Tuesday when they went down 2-1 at home to Cefn Cribwr, who took the lead from the penalty spot after 34 minutes. Ynysygerwn equalised on 37 minutes, Jamie Walsh setting up Bradley Crooks, his 13th league goal of the season, but the visitors clinched the points deep into injury time to break the home sides hearts. Swansea University drew 1-1 last weekend at Pontardawe Town, taking the lead after 22 minutes through Casey Coughlin. However Pontardawe were back on level terms after 52 minutes and this is how the game remained, a 1-1 stalemate as both clubs lost ground in their hunt for a play-off place.

Seven Sisters host Morriston Town at the Welfare Ground, 12th v 2nd in the table. Seven Sisters Onllwyn haven’t played for two weeks when they lost a fiery game 3-2 at Evans & Williams. The home side were 2-0 up at half time, but Seven Sisters Onllwyn pulled a goal back on 55 minutes Harri Powell assisting Daniel Evans. However it looked like the home side had clinched the points when they went 3-1 up on 58 minutes, however the visitors made it 3-2 after 81 minutes Captain Shay Isaac scoring from the penalty spot. However they failed to find the equaliser despite lengthy injury time being played with Emyr James sent off for a second caution for Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Morriston Town are in the middle of a purple patch unbeaten in 7 league games. They won 1-0 at home to Ynyshir Albions last weekend, thanks to an own goal from the visitors after just 15 minutes. The previous week they had beaten Treherbert BGC 3-1 despite 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 host Cardiff Corinthians at the Ynyshir Oval, 6th v 8th in the table. Ynyshir were unlucky to lose 1-0 last Saturday at Morriston Town, to dent their previous good form of two wins, including a 4-2 home win against AFC Llwydcoed 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. Cardiff Corinthians meanwhile had an excellent 2-0 home win last Saturday against AFC Llwydcoed at the Riverside Ground. Captain Aron Davies set up the opening goal for Chris Worsley just before the interval and the points were sealed when substitute Jac Jones assisted fellow substitute Elijah Chilekwa on 83 minutes to find the net after the visitors had gone down to 10 men on 74 minutes for a straight red.

AFC Llwydcoed host Pontyclun at Rhiw Dda’r home of Taffs Well, 16th v 14th in the table. Both sides suffered setbacks last weekend, AFC Llwydcoed losing 2-0 at Cardiff Corinthians their 4th league defeat on the bounce. Pontyclun had been in good form before hosting Evans & Williams last Saturday at Ivor Park, but suffered a 3-1 setback going a goal down after 61 minutes from a penalty. Despite pulling a goal back on 78 minutes substitute James Gronow setting up 19 year old Arjen Matthews to equalise, two late goals on 88 minutes and 7 minutes into injury time, saw the visitors end Pontyclun hopes of continuing their two game unbeaten record. With four games remaining Pontyclun face four cup finals in their bid to beat the drop, while AFC Llwydcoed still have 13 games left but having only won 3 games all season, they need to start finding some form.

The final game this weekend in the South West sees Cardiff Draconians host Treherbert BGC at Lydstep Park, 1st v 10th in the table. Cardiff Draconians had a 2-0 win last Saturday at home to Clydach, Clayton Farrah setting up Dylan Amin for the opener and an own goal on 53 minutes by Clydach making it 2-0. It was an important win for the Dracs, with Morriston on the chase for the title but with 10 games to go, Dracs have 2 games in hand on their rivals as they look for their 3rd in in 6 games, armed with new signing Haben Samson from Caerau (Ely). Treherbert meanwhile have suffered two defeats since their 2-0 win against AFC Llwydcoed. Last Saturday they went down to a 3-2 defeat at Bridgend Street, despite coming from a goal down after 17 minutes to equalise on 19 minutes Riley Hughes assisting Brandon Thomas to find the net. However the home side were soon back in front on 23 minutes before Treherbert equalised for the second time on 48 minutes Brandion Thomas scoring his second. However the home side clinched the points on 70 minutes to leave Treherbert empty handed.