MATCH DAY 38, 2024/25

Match Day 38 and we have a program of 14 league matches this weekend, 4 on Friday, 9 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Starting with Friday night in the South East, Abergavenny Town host Abertillery Bluebirds, 12th v 10th in the table. Abergavenny need at least one win in their remaining two games to have a chance of staying up with teams having games in hand below them. They pulled off a priceless win last Saturday 1-0 at Croesyceiliog, Curtis Methven scoring the all important goal after 30 minutes. It was only their second win in the last 13 games but couldn’t have come at a better time in their fight to stay out of the bottom 3. Abertillery Bluebirds, last played 2 weeks ago suffering a 1-0 home defeat to the league leaders Treowen Stars. It brought to an end a 3 game unbeaten run which had yielded two wins against Abercarn United (1-0) away and Treharris Athletic Western (3-1) at home. With 5 games remaining the Bluebirds should obtain enough points not to caught up in the relegation zone.

Risca United take on Treowen Stars at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, 8th v 1st in the table. Risca had a great win last Saturday, 4-2 winners at home to Treharris Athletic Western. Finley Skiverton set up the opener for Lloyd Oliver after 18 minutes, but Treharris equalised on 27 minutes. However Oliver added his second on 35 minutes after good work from Morgan Stead, before Skiverton made it 3-1 in first half injury time assisted by Callum Hutton. It was all but over on 55 minutes as the same combination came together for Skiverton to score his second of the game. Treharris pulled a goal back on 68 minutes but that was all they would muster as the game petered out into a win for Risca. Treowen Stars meanwhile were in a goalless stalemate with rivals Chepstow Town last weekend at Bush Park and they now need 8 points from their last 4 games to clinch the title. Manager Ben Murphy will be confident of clinching his second South East title in 3 years after his previous success with Abertillery Bluebirds two years ago.

Over to the South West and AFC Llwydcoed take on Cardiff Draconians, 16th v 1st in the table. AFC Llwydcoed have 8 games left to save their Tier 3 status, 7 home games though after earlier season postponement at the Ron Jones Stadium. Now playing at Rhiw Dda’r in Taffs Well, AFC Llwydcoed have suffered 2 defeats over the last 2 weeks, 2-0 at Cefn Cribwr and 3-0 against Swansea University. However they still have games against relegation rivals Seven Sisters Onllwyn and Clydach, but will probably need a minimum of 4 wins from their remaining games to reach safety. Cardiff Draconians have the title in sights but have Ynyshir Albions closing on them and need a minimum of 7 points for the championship. Last weekend they drew 1-1 at Treherbert BGC, having a great start when Sam Crawley put the Dracs ahead from the spot after just 9 minutes. However Trehebert came back to equalise on 37 minutes and this is how the game remained at 1-1. Nana Baah will be looking for a win tonight to have the finishing post in sight.

The final agme in the South West sees Evans & Williams host Morriston Town at Stebonheath Park. They sprung a surprise this week by naming Jonny Perrott, aged 45, in the squad and he is likely to make his Ardal Southern debut from the bench, a former trialist at Nottm. Forest in his younger years and scorer of over 200 goals for Evans & Williams, in over 20 years with the club. Last weekend they suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Ynysgerwn, a goal down in the first minute but equalising on 8 minutes from Liam Samuel. However 2 goals before half time saw Ynysygerwn take a 3-1 lead with goals on 14 and 39 minutes. Dylan Ashford pulled a goal back on 61 minutes assisted by Matthew Hughes, but with 5 minutes left Liam Samuel missed from the spot in what would have been his 19th goal of the season, a great return from an old fashioned winger. Morriston suffered a disappointing defeat last weekend at local rivals Clydach, going down to a goal after 55 minutes. However they will now have to win at least 2 of their last 3 games and hope Ynyshir Albions drop points in their remaining 3 games to clinch a play-off place.

Moving onto Saturday and starting in the South East, Newport Corinthians host Abercarn United at Coronation Park, 13th v 14th in the table. This is a massive game for both clubs in the fight to starve off relegation, with only a point between them at present although the Corinthians have a game in hand. Last weekend They suffered a 2-1 defeat at Undy, despite taking a 22nd minute lead through Captain Nathan Perkins assisted by Kris Leek. However on a stroke of half time they were reduced to 10 men when Luke Verren received his marching orders for a second caution and Undy equalised in the 76th minute. However Newport Corinthians looked like hanging on for a useful point until Undy scored a dramatic winner in the 90th minute. Abercarn also suffered a loss last weekend, losing 3-1 at Caldicot Town. They were a goal down in the first minute at Jubilee Way and conceded again on 19 minutes. Abercarn pulled a goal back though on 21 minutes through Noa Barry, after good work from Sam Thomas. It was the first goal for Noa in Abercarn colours after recently signing from Trethomas Bluebirds. However a 68th minute penalty from Caldicot sealed the 3 points for the home side.

Chepstow Town take on Brecon Corries at Larkfield Park, 2nd v 7th in the table. It is a must win game for Chepstow if they retain any hope of catching leaders Treowen Stars, after last weekend’s goalless draw at Bush Park. They also have Caldicot Town breathing down their necks for the play-off spot, so they have 6 high pressure games to finish the season before they have their Ardal Southern Cup Final with Cardiff Corinthians on the 16th May. Brecon Corries will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing 5-1 defeat last weekend at Blaenavon Blues. Despite equalising after falling behind in the 5th minute at the Memorial Ground, Corey Evans 10th minute goal proved to be all they had to show as a frustrating second half saw goals in the 71st, 75th, 82nd and injury time proving their downfall.

Treharris Athletic Western play Goytre at Parc Taf Bargoed, 16th v 5th in the table. Treharris will have to win all four of their remaining games in all likelihood to have a chance of staying in the division. However have lost their last 2 games, 2-0 against Chepstow Town and 4-2 last Saturday at Risca United. A goal down after just 5 minutes, Treharris came back to equalise on 27 minutes, Seun Oduwaiye scoring from an assist by Will Adlam-Perry. However by half time they were 3-1 down as the home side scored in the 35th and 45th minutes. It was all but over on 55 minutes as Risca went into a 4-1 lead and despite Treharris pulling a goal back on 68 minutes as Gavin Robins provided the assist for Joel Queni, it was all they could muster in the second half as Risca claimed the points. Goytre won last weekend in a thrilling game at Canton. Chris Ham opened the scoring after receiving a special award for being the first player in Wales to score 100 Ardal League goals, firing home following an assist from Mason Keepin-Davies. However Canton equalised on 34 minutes. Ham scored his second goal of the game on 69 minutes through after good work from substitute Jac Evans, but it looked like Canton had earned a point when they equalised again in injury time. However Chris Ham would return the favour deep into injury time, with Jac Evans scoring the winner.

Blaenavon Blues host Undy at the Memorial Ground, 6th v 11th in the table. Last weekend Blaenavon continued their excellent run of form with their third win on the bounce, 5-1 at home to Brecon Corries. Matthew Burns opened the scoring after 11 minutes, assisted by L Bullock, however Corries equalised on 11 minutes. However an excellent second half showing from the Blues saw them score four times with no reply, Burns scoring his second of the game on 71 minutes after good work from Alex Berrow. An own goal on 75 minutes gave them a 2 goal cushion, before further goals from Jacob Bull, assisted by Jordan Cromie on 82 minutes and Bull providing the assist for Burns to complete his hattrick in injury time. Matthew Burns is now in contention for the Golden Boot as he chases down Ben Donoghue of Caldicot Town and Chris Hartland of Treowen Stars ahead of him, his 18 goals this season giving him a career record of 47 Ardal League goals. Undy meanwhile have won their last two games, 3-0 against Risca and 2-1 last weekend against Newport Corinthians. Despite being a goal down after 22 minutes, Undy came back to equalise on 76 minutes through Louis Lawrence after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men as half time approached. With the game looking like it would end in a draw Scott Rodway had other ideas as he found a winner after an assist by substitute Daniel Morgan.

Staying in the South East, the final game this weekend see Canton take on Tredegar Town on Sunday at the House of Sport in Cardiff, 4th v 15th in the table. Last weekend Caton suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Goytre after winning their two previous games against Abercarn United and Risca United. A goal down after 31 minutes Canton came back to equalise om 34 minutes, Norton Ferreira scoring from an assist from Jordan Carey. Goytre ragained the lead on 69 minutes but Canton looked like they had earned a draw when the equalised in injury time Abdoulie Tunkara scoring after good work from substitute Curtis Griffin. However Goytre broke Canton hearts as they grabbed a winner with almost the last kick of the game. Tredegar Town had a massive 3-0 win over Abergavenny last weekend in their bid to remain in the Division. After a goalless first half, Tredegar took the lead at the Leisure Centre through Tye Duggan on 56 minutes assisted by Aarran Caffell and on 68 minutes Duggan returned the favour for Caffell to score the second of the game for Tredegar. The points were sealed in injury time as substitute Lewis Parfitt scored from an assist from fellow substitute Owen Thomas.

Onto the South West and Saturday sees 5 games in this Division. Starting with Cefn Cribwr against Bridgend Street at the Jewson Stadium, 6th v 14th in the table. Cefn Cribwr are two games unbeaten and followed up their 2-0 win over AFC Llwydcoed with a goalless draw last weekend at South Gower. The win over AFC Llwydcoed had seen Matthew Symons open the scoring just after the interval after an assist from Jonathan Tiffin before Ross Hopper set up the second on 54 minutes for Mark Evans. Bridgend Street earned a valuable point last weekend with a 2-2 draw at Cardiff Corinthians. A goal down after 11 minutes, Bridgend Street came back to equalise on 17 minutes, Cian Hales finding the net after good work from Mike Murphy. The Corries regained the lead though on 19 minutes but Bridgend Street weren’t beaten yet as Murphy earned a share of the spoils with the second equaliser on 49 minutes after an assist from Jeff White.
Cardiff Corinthians take on Swansea University in a rerun of the recent Ardal Southern Semi-Final, which Corries where triumphed 1-0, thanks to a goal from 35 goal top scorer Aron Davies. Last weekend Cardiff Corinthians drew 2-2 against Bridgend Street taking the lead after 11 minutes through C Caton after an assist from C Worsley. Bridgend Street equalised on 17 minutes, but the Corries regained the lead on 19 minutes Bobbie Fowler scoring from an Thierry Out assist. However Bridgend Street struck back with their second equaliser on 49 minutes to earn a point. Swansea University, out for revenge for their Cup defeat, won 3-0 last weekend against AFC Llwydcoed. Harvey Baxter opened the scoring after 8 minutes, assisted by Josh Cole, the only goal in a tight first period. However the Uni struck again on 71 minutes through Lewis Brooks and Ethan Dix sealed the points with the decisive third in injury time.

Pontardawe Town host South Gower at Parc Ynysderw, 5th v 9th in the table. Pontardawe lost 1-0 last weekend at Ynyshir Albions to bring to an end a 4 match unbeaten run which had seen 2 draws and 2 wins against Cardiff Corinthians and Morriston Town. South Gower have had a managerial restructuring over recent weeks with Manager Ben Leavy and coach Rhys Evans moving on with Craig Gore coming in as Manager to be assisted by Kyle Powney, Callum Davies and Jon Rogers. South Gower drew last weekend 0-0 at home to Cefn Cribwr.

Seven Sisters Onllwyn take on Treherbert BGC at the Welfare Ground, 13th v 10th in the table. The home side have lost their last 4 games as they have been dragged into the relegation fight in the South West and went down to a 1-0 defeat last weekend at Pontyclun. Treherbert are unbeaten in 2 games, both 1-1 draws with Pontyclun and Cardiff Draconians. Last weekend they went a goal down to the league leaders in the 9th minute but came storming back to earn a point with a goal on 37 minutes by deacon Greening after an assist by Joe Eason.

The final game this weekend in the South West sees Clydach play Ynysgerwn in a local derby at Coed Gwilym Park, 12th v 11th in the table. Clydach have hit form at exactly the right time as they bid to retain their status in what is their first season at this level. Last weekend they produced a 1-0 win against Morriston Town, with Chakkri Phromchanta scoring the all important goal after 55 minutes. Ynysygerwn had slipped towards the relegation zone after 4 straight defeats but 4 points against Evans & Williams in the last 3 weeks has given them hope they will not be dragged into the fight in the closing weeks. Last weekend they took the lead against Evans & Williams at Llandarcy park after just a minute, Bradley Crooks assisting N Davies to open the scoring. The visitors equalised from the spot after 8 minutes but Ynysgerwn were back in front on 14 minutes as Captain Joe Humphries scored from their own penalty. Ynysygerwn had some breathing space as half time approached when Davies scored his second of the game after an assist from Alex Williams. Despite Evans & Williams pulling a goal back just after the hour period, Ynysgerwn were given a lifeline when Evans & Williams missed what would have been an equaliser from their second spot kick of the game, as Ynysgerwn saw the game out for a priceless three points.