MATCH DAY 35, 2024/25

Match Day 35 and we have a program of 14 league matches this weekend, 7 in the South East, 7 in the South West. Starting on Friday evening, AFC Llwydcoed play host to Bridgend Street at Rhiw Dda’r, home of Taffs Well, with the clubs 16th v 13th in the league respectively. AFC Llwydcoed were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Morriston last weekend, losing out to a 47th minute penalty and will be looking to regain the form of the previous week when they defeated Pontyclun 1-0 thank to a goal from Cian Cable after 38 minutes, set up by Owen Jeffries. Bridgend Street are on a high after their 3-0 away victory last weekend at Seven Sisters Onllwyn. Conor Jones broke the deadlock after 41 minutes assisted by Conor Cusack, before Jeff White made it 2-0 on 65 minutes, Dylan Chapman providing the assist. Conor Cook provided the opportunity to White to complete a perfect Saturday and score his second of the game deep into injury time for the Street, to make it 3-0 and earn 3 valuable points.

Onto Saturday and the South West sees another 6 games, starting at Morriston Town as Pontardwe Town come to the Dingle, 2nd v 6th in the table. Morriston earned a hard fought 1-0 win last weekend against AFC Llwydcoed, Charlie Coates scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 47th minute. Pontardawe Town haven’t played for 3 weeks since drawing 1-1 at home to Swansea University in their last game. They found themselves a goal down after 22 minutes but came back to earn a point with a goal from Ben Scannell on 52 minutes. It was the 4th draw by Pontardawe in their last 6 games and they now have 6 must win games remaining if they are to earn a play-off place.

South Gower face Cardiff Draconians at Scurlidge, 8th v 1st in the table. South Gower had a 2-0 loss at Ynyshir Albions last Saturday and will be looking to regain the form of the previous week when they won 3-0 at home to Bridgend Street. Goals from Owen Evans on 36 minutes assisted by Louis Jackson, Bruno Morris assisted by Evans on 53 minutes and Jack Jones making it 3-0 on the hour, assisted by Alexander Arnold gave South Gower the points. Cardiff Draconians earned another 3 last weekend with a 1-0 home win over Swansea University at Lydstep Park. Jamal Roberts scored the only goal of the game after an assist from Captain Luke Bridgeman and are now only 13 points away from winning the title.

Evans & Williams host Ynysygerwn at Stebonheath Park, 4th v 12th in the table. Evans & Williams will be looking to get over their heartbreaking Ardal Southern Semi-Final defeat last weekend against Chepstow Town, losing on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Matthew Williams, Nick Glendon missed the first two penalties, before Dylan Ashford gave hope, but a miss from Bruno Forkuoh gave Chepstow a 3-1 win on penalties. Ynysygerwn suffered a 3-2 defeat themselves last weekend at Treherbert BGC finding themselves 2-0 down after goals on 4 and 57 minutes. Back they came though with a goal on 75 minutes through Captain Joe Humphries and an equaliser on 83 minutes Stephen Morris assisted by Humphries. However Treherbert scored just into injury time to win a five goal thriller at Baglan Field.

Cardiff Corinthians take on Cefn Cribwr at the Riverside Ground, 9th v 5th in the table. Last weekend saw the Corries lose 1-0 away at Clydach and this was their second defeat on the bounce with no goals scored after their 3-0 defeat at Ynyshir Albions the previous week. Cefn Cribwr meanwhile were winning 2-1 at Ynysgerwn last weekend, taking the lead on 34 minutes through a Ben Keen penalty, on his Cribwr debut after signing from Afan Lido. Ynysygerwn equalised on 37 minutes but Cefn Cribwr scored the winner in injury time, Shaun Williams providing the opportunity for Jamie Isidoro-Marlowe to find the back of the net.

Seven Sisters Onllwyn play host to Swansea University at the Welfare Ground, 11th v 7th in the league. The home side suffered shock 3-0 loss to Bridgend Street last weekend, conceding after 41, 65 and 93 minutes. The week before they had beaten Morriston Town 3-0 on the same ground, with the damage done in the first 14 minutes. Firstly Evan Williams set up Leon Herdman for the opener after just 5 minutes, it was 2-0 on 11 minutes, Iestyn Clement assisting Evan Williams for a goal himself. While on 14 minutes it was all but over, Herdman setting up Clement to make it 3-0. Swansea University will be looking to make amends after their defeat at leaders Cardiff Draconians last Saturday going down 1-0 top a goal after just 8 minutes. The previous week the Uni had won 4-1 at Ynysygerwn Mason Kelly opening the scoring after just 9 minutes. Casey Coughlin assisted Kelly to make it 2-0 on 18 minutes, before Ynysygerwn pulled a goal back on the half hour mark. In first half injury time though the Uni scored again Morgan Wright laying on a chance for Lewis Brooks to make it 3-1. The final goal of the game was scored not long after the restart, Wright assisting Josh Cole.

The final game in the South West sees Ynyshir Albions play host to Treherbert BGC at the Ynyshir Oval. The Albions have won their last two home games, with two clean sheets. Last weekend they beat South Gower 2-0, thanks to a goal from Scott Jones on 67 minutes assisted by Zack Philpott, while the second was scored by 19 year old substitute Mason Evans and assisted by Jago Norton deep into injury time. Treherbert had an excellent 3-2 home win last weekend over Ynysygerwn, Brandon Thomas opening the scoring after just 4 minutes assisted by Lewis Taylor. Thomas then made it 2-0 with his second when Captain Christen Bethell provided the opportunity and despite Ynysgerwn pulling two goals back on 75 and 83 minutes it was left to Brandon Thomas to clinch the 3 points with an injury time goal and complete his hattrick. He now has 14 league goals in 23 games.

Onto the South East and 7 games take place on Saturday starting with Canton against Risca United at the House of Sport in Cardiff, 4th v 8th in the table. Canton suffered a 2-0 home loss last weekend to Blaenavon Blues conceding goals in the 15th and 63rd minutes and suffering the loss of Curtis Griffin on 81 minutes due to a second caution. The previous week they had also lost at home 1-0 to Abergavenny Town. Risca meanwhile are on a good run of form, winning their last two games. Last weekend they won 4-1 at Caldicot Town despite going a goal down after 21 minutes. They equalised on 41 minutes Callum Hutton finding the net, before taking the lead on 56 minutes Hutton assisting Lloyd Oliver to put Risca ahead. Hutton then scored his second of the game on 74 minutes before he provided an assist for 18 year old brother and substitute Alfie Hutton to make it 4-1.

Abertillery Bluebirds take on Abergavenny Town at Cwm Nant Y Groes, 10th v 12th in the table. Last weekend the Bluebirds had an excellent 3-1 home win over Treharris Athletic Western to build on their victory the previous week 1-0 at Abercarn United, which arrested 3 straight defeats in a row. The Bluebirds were 2-0 up inside 32 minutes after goals from Captain Richard Crees on 13 and 32 minutes, assisted by Ben Taylor Junior and then Joel Powell, before Treharris Athletic Western pulled a goal back almost on the hour mark. However the third for the Bluebirds on 79 minutes from Ben Ward assisted by Ryan Meredith sealed the 3 points. Abergavenny Town were also successful on their travels last time out 2 weeks ago after 7 defats on the bounce, when they won 1-0 at Canton. Jack Evans set up the only goal of the game for 16 year old Harrison Reynolds on 41 minutes, his 4th Ardal Southern goal in 17 games this season.

Blaenavon Blues play host to Newport Corinthians at the Memorial Ground 7th v 11th, with both teams winning last weekend. Blaenavon won 2-0 at Canton, taking the lead with a 15th minute penalty from Matthew Burns. He then scored and the Blues second on 63 minutes after being assisted by Alex Berrow. Newport Corinthians also won on the road last weekend 2-1 at Tredegar Town. The home side struck first at the Leisure Centre and this is how it remained at the interval. But the second half saw Newport Corinthians take the 3 points after goals on 52 minutes from Jordan Poole assisted by Kris Leek and then a winner from Lewis Brown on 58 minutes assisted by Sam Beckett.

Chepstow Town take on Treowen Stars in a top of the table clash, 2nd v 1st as the home side hope to bridge the 9 point gap, although they have 2 games in hand. Chepstow were on cup duty last weekend as they reached the final of the Ardal Southern Cup with a 3-1 penalty win at Evans & Williams after a 0-0 draw on 90 minutes. Nathan Rose, David Plamer and Christian O’Donnell were successful from the spot for Chepstow with Matthew Swann missing his spot kick but it wasn’t costly as Evans & Williams missed 3 out of 4 of their kicks. Treowen won 3-0 last weekend at Brecon Corries opening the scoring in first half injury time, Corey Jenkins finding the net. The second half saw the Stars score 2 more, Carter Campbell netting the both after assists from Chris Hartland on 68 and 73 minutes.

Caldicot Town face Goytre at Jubilee Way, 3rd v 6th in the league. Last weekend Caldicot suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Risca United, despite taking the lead after just 21 minutes, Laurent Ngunjoh finding the net from a Ben Smith assist. However Risca came storming back to score after 41, 56, 74 and 83 minutes to take the points. Goytre meanwhile suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Croesyciliog despite taking a second half lead through 18 year old Alfie Young, his 4th league goal in 16 games, assisted by Thomas Meehan. However Croesyceiliog won the game with goals after 78 minutes and penalty deep into injury time.

Tredegar Town host Abercarn United at the Leisure Centre, 15th v 14th in the league as both teams fight to stay in the division. Tredegar have lost their last 2 league games, the most recent last weekend 2-1 at home to Newport Corinthians. Oliver Bruton put Tredegar ahead on 13 minutes but goals on 52 and 58 minutes gave the Corinthians three priceless points against one of their rivals near the relegation zone. Abercarn United are also on a poor run of games with only a draw in their last 7 league games, 6 defeats. Last weekend they suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Abertillery Bluebirds, the Bluebirds scoring the only goal of the game on 34 minutes.

The last game this weekend sees Treharris Athletic Western face Brecon Corries at Parc Taf Bargoed, 16th v 5th in the table. The home side are currently 6 points from safety with 7 games to go, so there won’t be much more room for error as they aim to salvage their Tier 3 status. Last weekend they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Abertillery Bluebirds, Regan Hawkins scoring the consolation on 59 minutes from a Seun Oduwaiye assist after the home side had scored 2 first half goals on 13 and 32 minutes and clinched the game with a third on 79 minutes. The week before Treharris Athletic Western won 4-1 win at Brecon Corries. They had a superb start to the game, opening the scoring after just 7 minutes at the Rich Field, Will Adlam-Perry, a January signing from Ystradgynlais assisting 16 year old Regan Hawkins. It was to be a great game from Adlam-Perry as he provide two further assists, the second to Abdi Qrabche on 17 minutes to make it 2-0 and the third on 34 minutes, Hawkins scoring his second goal of the game. Brecon pulled a goal back on 60 minutes through Joel Evans, but it was left to Regan Hawkins to have the last word and clinch his hattrick on 90 minutes, Taylor Corkrey providing the assist. Last weekend Brecon lost 3-0 at home to Treowen Stars, their third defeat in succession.