FLOODLIGHTING & ELECTRICAL ARDAL SOUTHERN

MATCH DAY FOUR, 2024/25

Image: Cefn Cribwr Match Day 4, 2024-25
Image: Clydach Match Day 4, 2024-25
Image: Llwydcoed Match Day 4, 2024-25
Image: Morriston Match Day 4, 2024-25

We are on Match Day 4 already and have played a round of the JD Welsh Cup and Dragon Signs FAW Trophy. This midweek brings us 15 games in the Ardal Southern, as South Gower against Bridgend Street is postponed due to the distance between the teams for a midweek game. Evans & Williams look to extend their surprise start in the South West, while South East leaders Chepstow Town have already rattled 14 goals, as both clubs decision not to enter the Trophy have given them a head start over the 21 clubs who did enter. Only 17 clubs remain after the First Round, so last seasons fixture backlog for a lot of clubs should ease this time round.

Let’s us look at the games on offer this midweek, starting with Pontardawe Town playing host to Ynyshir Albions. Ponty were a Tier 2 side last season, but having been relegated and losing their manager Garry Taylor to Llanelli Town, have had to take on a considerable rebuild under new boss Ben Williams. They have had a mixed start to the season, losing at home to Evans & Williams before beating AFC Llwydcoed 2-0. However with a visit to Cefn Cribwr last Saturday, Pontardawe suffered a setback despite being a goal to the good at the interval, after Lithuanian Roman Legavec had scored after just two minutes. However two second half goals, gave the home side the points. Ynyshir Albions have also had a mixed start to the season, starting with a goalless draw at Treherbert and then a 2-1 defeat at Evans & Williams. After a miserable first half which saw the home side score twice and Alex Rees see Red, Albions made a strong comeback scoring through 19 year old Joseff Haig on 65 minutes and launched a gallant effort to find the equaliser, bombarding the home defence, who held strong. On the cup front Ynyshir lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff Draconians at the Ynyshir Oval, but last Saturday won 7-0 at the same venue against the Black Lion from the Merthyr Tydfil AFL League. Jacob Matthews scored a double, along with goals from Chad Goss, Leon Anstee, Mason Evans, Joseff Haig and Keelan Jennings, just 16 years of age on his First Team debut after signing from Cambrian United Under 16s.

Seven Sisters Onllwyn, take on near neighbours AFC Llwydcoed, just 13 mile between the two clubs. The home side launched a great escape last season, after wading through a backlog of games to finish comfortably in 10th place, at one point being deep in a relegation scrap, due to their run to the Quarter Finals of the FAW Trophy. They have had a decent start to the Ardal season with two draws against Ynysygerwn and at Cardiff Draconians, where they came from 2-0 down to finish 2-2 thanks to goals from Cieran Williams and Kian Herdman, despite Iestyn Clement being sent off in injury time for a second yellow. They are in the next round of the JD Welsh Cup, where they face the long journey to Monmouth Town, however they won’t be emulating last season’s Trophy exploits, as last Saturday suffered a penalty shoot out loss at home to Tata Steel 4-2, after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, Rhys Winnett scoring the Seven Sisters Onllwyn goal after his summer transfer from Ynystawe Athletic. The visitors AFC Llwydcoed have had a difficult start to the league season, losing to the Dracs and Pontardawe Town, but on the Cup front have beaten AFC Penrhiwceiber 3-0 to earn a home tie against Croesyceiliog. While on Saturday produced an impressive performance to defeat Canton Rangers 9-1, prize striker Ricky Carter scoring a hatrick, alongside goals from Dewi Abbruzzese (2), Ross Daniels, Liam Jones and Max Parry on his home debut after the 18 year old was promoted from the youth team, where he scored 10 goals in 13 games last season.

Last Seasons Play Off runners up, Cefn Cribwr, face their third home game of the season when Swansea University visit the Jewson Stadium, a repeat of last seasons Ardal Southern League Cup Final, which the Uni won 3-2 in a close final at Penybont. After not entering the FAW Trophy, Cefn Cribwr faced Pontardawe Town in an Ardal Southern game last Saturday and turned out 2-1 winners despite being a goal down at half time. Jay Ellis was the hero with two second half goals, his first league goals since August 2022, 49 games ago, when he scored in a 3-2 win over Port Talbot Town. After a bye in the first qualifying round of the JD Welsh Cup, as Cwrt Y Vil withdrew, Cefn Cribwr now travel to Built Wells for a stern challenge against one of their counterparts from the north. Swansea University meanwhile will be looking to get a disastrous league campaign up and running after two defeats against Clydach and Cardiff Corinthians. A better start in the JD Welsh Cup saw a 5-1 win over AFC Wattstown, Josh Cole, Harry Huddart, an own goal and a double from Jake Ferguson, setting up a home tie against Caerphilly Athletic. However their attempt of a run in the FAW Trophy suffered a catastrophe last Saturday with a 3-2 defeat to Blaenymaes at Cadle Mill. 3-1 down at the interval, the Uni failed to find a way back into the game despite Josh Cole adding to his first half goal with a 50th minute penalty. Jon Beale will be hoping his side is strengthen soon, with players to come back in as they look to climb the league table as they did last season, after a similar start which saw three defeats in the first five games.

A big test for Clydach this week, as early surprise league leaders, Evans & Williams visit Coed Gwilym Park. Last season, this fixture was a West Wales Premier League game, Evans & Williams winning 3-1 in March, Matthew Williams (2) and Richard Lewis on the scoresheet, with Stephen Hughes scoring for the home side. All three remain key players for the two sides, with Clydach looking to bounce back from defeats in the last two games 2-0 at Treherbert last Tuesday, while a shock 1-0 defeat at Mumbles Rangers on Saturday in the FAW Trophy. Manager Damien Daley will be look for a reaction on Tuesday, with Captain and ex Pontardawe Town keeper Steven Reeve, looking at a good defensive display against the pace that Evans & Williams will bring. Evans & Willams have had another excellent week, building on their 2-1 home win over Pontyclun with a hard working 2-0 win over Pontyclun last Friday at Stebonheath Park. After a goalless first half, when both teams had good chances to score, it was Evans & Williams who finally had the breakthrough on 57 minutes, Rhys Watson forcing home the ball, after Pontyclun failed to deal effectively with a free kick. Substitutes Bruno Forkuoh and Jac Walters, brought a fresh imputus to the home attack, and Pontyclun struggled to cope with their pace. Liam Samuel adding a second on 77 minutes after good work from Owain Phillips-Taylor, much to the delight of Liam’s fan club of friends in the Stebonheath Hospitality. They remain four games unbeaten and face a trip to New Inn in the JD Welsh Cup later this month.

Pontyclun will be hoping for better luck on their travels on Tuesday when they face Ynysygerwn at Landarcy Park. After a promising draw at Cefn Cribwr to kick off their season, then a Welsh Cup win against Penygraig, their last two games has seen 2-0 defeats against South Gower and Evans & Williams. Peter Banks side, were unlucky not to take an interval lead last Friday against Evans & Williams, the home keeper making a double save to keep out two efforts shortly before half time. However in the second half, Pontyclun could only hold out so long and Evans & Williams, created more in the final third of the game, to earn a 2-0 win. Ynysygerwn will be looking to get their Ardal season back on track after an opening draw with Seven Sisters Onllwyn and a narrow defeat at rivals Morriston Town. They have looked potent on the cup front with a 4-1 win against Pontardulais to set up a second qualifying round tie at home to Cardiff Airport. They also had an excellent 6-0 win in the FAW Trophy at the weekend at Garw, Ethan Wright (2), Bradley Crooks, Adam Rees, Charlie Farrell and Callum Wright on the scoresheet. It was a cleansheet on his debut for new signing Sam L’Homme, signed for a second time from their opponents Pontyclun for the former Trebanog keeper. Sam left Pontyclun last season to make 9 Ardal appearances before returning to Pontyclun where he made a total of 64 appearances in two spells.

The last game on Tuesday in the South West, is Cardiff Draconians against Morriston, two of last seasons inform teams towards the run in. The Dracs have had an unbeaten start to the season with wins over AFC Llwydcoed (3-0) and a draw with Seven Sisters Onllwyn in the Ardal League, while they had an excellent 2-1 JD Welsh Cup win at Ynyshir Albions to set up a home time with Bettws in the next round. Last weekend they ground out a hard fought 1-0 win over Tonyrefail BGC, in the FAW Trophy, Sam Crawley scoring the only goal from the penalty spot in first half injury time. Manager Nana Baah, will be looking for three points from this game, with both teams in 4th (Dracs) and 3rd place (Morriston) respectively at present. The visitors will be looking to build on their unbeaten start to the season, wins at South Gower and Ynysygerwn in the Ardal League and a JD Wesh Cup win at Clase, bringing an exciting home tie against Port Talbot Town in the next round. While last weekend, Morriston were tested to the full, when Porthcawl Town came visiting to the Dingle in the FAW Trophy. After a goalless first half, Ben Lowe put Morriston ahead almost on the hour mark, but the visitors drew level on 78 minutes to force penalties, which they won in a thriller 5-4. Manager Jonny Martin, will be looking again at new signing Luke Harris from Ammanford to provide some experience in the Morriston midfield and help quell the enthusiasm of the home crowd.

The final game in the South West this midweek, takes place on Wednesday as newcomers Treherbert BGC host their third home game in a row in the Ardal Southern. After the euphoria of their 0-0 draw with Ynyshir Albions and 2-0 win over Clydach, an excellent 5-3 win at Abergavenny gives them a home tie against Pantyscallog Village in the JD Welsh Cup. While last Saturday in the FAW Trophy, Liam Goatson and his side ground out a 1-0 win over Barry Athletic, ex Ynyshir Albions forward Joe Eason scoring the games only goal. It was goalkeeper James Bailey’s third clean sheet of the season, which bodes well for the rest of the campaign as it looks Treherbert will be a difficult place to go. To test this theory out Cardiff Corinthians will be a perfect this week as they have won all three of their games to date convincingly. After a superb start at Bridgend Street (6-2), they followed this up with a 4-0 win at Swansea University, Aaron Davies, back from Goytre scoring 5 goals in these first two league games. With Ferndale BGC withdrawing from the JD Welsh Cup to leave the Corries with a tie at Blaenavon Blues in the next round, last weekend saw the Corries take on The Baglan FC in the FAW Trophy and they came out 3-0 winners, against the Rhondda & District side. Aaron Davies was again scoring for fun, with a double to take his seasons tally to 7 in just 3 games, while Mo Djalo was also on the mark.

Image: Chepstow Town Match Day 4, 2024-25
Image: Abertillery Bluebirds Match Day 4, 2024-25

Over to the South East and Tuesday sees a full quota of fixtures. Starting at the Causeway, Undy face local rivals Caldicot Town, looking to improve on their disappointing start to the season, the heavy early defeat at home against Chepstow Town. Despite a 3-1 win over Tredegar Town last Tuesday, thanks to a Gareth Cullimore hatrick, taking him to 5 for the season and top of the scoring charts in the league, Undy suffered a surprise defeat last Saturday in the FAW Trophy. Travelling to Cwmbrach Royal Stars who play in the South Wales Alliance League, Undy scored first through a Harris Thomas penalty, before the home side equalised, before taking the lead after 35 minutes. Harris Thomas was again on the mark though to equalise shortly before the interval. The second half saw Sam Thomas score an early goal to put Undy 3-2 ahead, but an own goal on 67 minutes by Louis Pearson, sent the tie to penalties. It was not to be for Undy as missed penalties from Sam Thomas and then Thomas Barraclough, led to a 4-2 defeat, Cwmbach scoring all their four penalties. Meanwhile Caldicot gained a superb win at league leaders Chepstow Town last Tuesday, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sam Watkins. They will be well rested having had no fixture at the weekend as they did not enter the FAW Trophy and proved the odd team out with four others not entering in the East. The Caldicot management of Tony Wallis and Mark Williams, will be intent on at least a clean sheet from this game, with a difficult game to come at Penlan, victors over Undy in the previous round.

Plough Road will see Goytre take on Treharris Athletic Western, the home side having started well with a 2-1 win over Blaenavon Blues, before a 2-1 defeat against Newport Corinthians last Tuesday. Chris Ham opened the scoring with his 92nd Ardal Southern goal, but second half goals from the Corries bought the first home defeat of the season for Goytre. While last Saturday saw Rogerstone from the Gwent Premier League face Goytre in the FAW Trophy, with the game ending in a 3-3 draw. Chris Ham scored twice for the home side along with Alfie Young, with James Goodfellow scoring twice for Rogerstone, one from the spot as well as Josh Thomas against the 10 men of Goytre who saw Ieaun Evans sent off after 40 minutes. Onto the dreaded penalty shootout and Goytre held their nerve to win 5-4, the visitors missing the last penalty before sudden death. Treharris have had a mixed start to the season in the Ardal league, winning the first game 1-0 against Risca United but losing their second game last Tuesday 1-0 at home to Abercarn United. Last Saturday though, Treharris travelled to Brynna who play in the Mid Glamorgan Provisions Premier Division and came away with a clean sheet and a 2-0 win in the FAW Trophy. On the mark for Treharris were Seun Oduwaiye from Saudi Arabia and Munyaradzi Mabwe from Zimbabwe, two of six nationalities in the multi-national Treharris squad, with other players representing Wales, Angola, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tredegar Town face Brecon Corries at the Leisure Centre in Tredegar, the home side looking for their first win of the season, after four defeats to date. Last Tuesday saw Tredegar lose 3-1 at Undy, Dafydd Jones scoring the consolation, while on Saturday the club were knocked out of the FAW Trophy albeit with a narrow 2-1 defeat at Abergavenny Town. Tredegar found themselves 2-0 down at the interval, but rallied well in the second half, a 72nd minute penalty by Dafydd Jones giving hope of an equaliser. But despite throwing on several substitutes it was not to be and Harrie Griffiths received a second yellow with minutes remaining. However its still early days and the club will be looking for some of the spirit of 2022-23 season, when a superb late run saw Tredegar stay up winning a tough final game at Goytre. The visitors Brecon have had a mixed start to the season, Damien Daniels team producing good Ardal performances so far to pick up 4 points with a win over Treowen Stars and a draw at Abertillery Bluebirds, captain Dale Evans equalisng after the home side had taken the lead. Corries even had a great chance to take the 3 points but on 84 minutes Corey Evans failed to convert from the spot. However Brecon have been knocked out of both the JD Welsh Cup and FAW Trophy, a 4-2 defeat at Nantyglo of Gwent Division One, seeing an end to the aspirations in the latter last Saturday. A goal down at half time, Brecon equalised through Nyle Slade on 48 minutes but were 3-1 down after 70 minutes. An injury time goal from Jack Biggs gave hope of taking the game to penalties, but the home team sealed it at Dyffryn Park, with the fourth a minute later.

An interesting clash at Larkfield Park, where Chepstow Town play host to Canton, newly transferred from South West to South East. Chepstow will be looking to build on their superb 3-0 win at Abertillery Bluebirds on Saturday, thanks to goals from Iestyn Davies and substitutes Harry Waterhouse and Sonny Lewis. This made up for their 1-0 home defeat against rivals Caldicot Town last Tuesday. It has been a good start for Chepstow though apart from this blip, with the opening 11-2 win at Undy and the JD Welsh Cup win against Vale United setting up a trip down to Neath to face Bryn Rovers. Captain Adam Wakley will be keen this week to add to his 5 goal haul so far, while Jack Pearson-Brown will be looking to add to his account this week after his solitary goal so far at Undy. Canton meanwhile are unbeaten so far, winning every game since their 0-0 opener at Abergavenny. The JD Welsh Cup saw a 2-1 win at Abercarn United, to set up an intriguing tie at Penydarren BGC. While last Tuesday Canton travelled to Croesyceiliog and came away with a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Jack Whetten, a signing from Caerau (Ely) and Elliott Humphries, a signing from Cardiff Met, where he played in 5 Welsh Premier games last season. Last Saturday saw Canton, look to progress in the FAW Trophy and they certainly did that, the right end of a 8-0 win over Aberfan Rangers. Jordan Carey helped himself to 4 goals, alongside goals from Isaac Wigley (2), Curtis Griffin and Jack Whetten.

Treowen Stars host newcomers Newport Corinthians at Bush Park, with Ben Murphy looking for his side to continue their recovery after losing the opening two games of the season. Brecon won the opener in the Ardal league 2-0, while Llangeinor shocked the Stars in the JD Welsh Cup 5-2 winners at Lewistown. A much improved performance last Tuesday resulted in Treowen winning 3-1 against Blaenavon Blues. Corey Jenkins opened the scoring after just 9 minutes, before Chris Colvin added a second on 35 minutes. The Blues pulled a goal back on 87 minutes before Jordan Needs sealed the win from the penalty spot for Treowen in injury time. Last Saturday Treowen travelled to Shaftsbury Park, to face Riverside Rovers, who play in the Autocentre Gwent Division Two. On the scoresheet for the Stars were Chris Colvin, Christian Davies, Corey Jenkins, Leigh Sharp (2) and Aaron Thomas in a 6-0 win. Newport Corinthians, will be looking to build on their excellent start to the season, where they have drawn at Abercarn United and won at Goytre in the Ardal Southern. Last Tuesday at Plough Road, the Corries came from a goal down, to equalise just after the hour mark when Sam Beckett found the net, before grabbing a dramatic winner in injury time from Declan Grant. While on the JD Welsh Cup front, a 4-2 win at Sifil, has been rewarded with an away tie in the next round at Aberdare Town.

Abertillery Bluebirds face Blaenavon Blues at Cwm Nant Y Groes, both clubs having had indifferent starts to the season. Despite an excellent start to the season by the Bluebirds saw a 7-3 win over Tredegar, followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Brecon Corries last Tuesday, Curtis Methven opening the scoring in first half injury time, before the Corries equalised on 73 minutes. It could have been worse as Brecon missed a golden chance to win the game but failed from the spot after 83 minutes. While last Saturday, the Bluebirds faced Chepstow Town, having not applied to enter the FAW Trophy, but this backfired with the visitors coming away with a 3-0 victory. While in the JD Welsh Cup, the Bluebirds have a home game with Cascade to look forward to in the second qualifying round. Blaenavon meanwhile will be looking to build on their 2-1 win against Croesyceiliog last Friday at The Memorial Ground. The Blues had a dream first half scoring twice through Alex Berrow, a summer signing from New Inn and despite Croesyceiliog pulling a goal back after 55 minutes, managed to hold on for a vital 3 points. However last Tuesday Blaenavon had suffered a 3-1 defeat at Treowen Stars, Matthew Burns scoring the Blues goal. In the JD Welsh Cup Blaenavon won a tense tie with Treharris Athletic Western on penalties after a 2-2 draw and now face Cardiff Corthinians at the Memorial Ground in the next round.

Croesyceiliog face Risca United at Woodland Road, with both clubs suffering indifferent results so far this season. Croesyceiliog had an excellent start to the season with a 5-0 win over Caldicot Town and then a JD Welsh Cup win over Pentwynmawr Athletic by a 6-1 scoreline, the reward an away tie at AFC Llwydcoed. However they have faltered over the last two games, a 2-0 defeat home to Canton and a 2-1 defeat away at Blaenavon Blues, with top scorer Owen Llewellyn absent. On Saturday at the Memorial Ground Ryan Saunders scored early in the second half, but it wasn’t to provide any dividends. Meanwhile Risca who have lived near the top of the South East table for the last two seasons, play off losers to Baglan in 2023, didn’t get off to the best starts with a 1-0 defeat at Treharris to open the season. However the side under the management of Nathan Bracegirdle have bounced back since with a Welsh Cup win at Marshfield, 4-2 with a tie in the next round at home to Seaside awaiting. Last Tuesday they travelled to Abergavenny Town and came away with a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw, captain Finlay Wood putting Risca ahead before a late equaliser for the home side. While on Saturday, Risca dispatched of Gwent Premier side New Inn in the FAW Trophy by a scoreline of 6-1, the goals shared by Lloyd Oliver (2), Cole Greenhaf (2), Callum Hutton and Bradley Jenkins.

Our final game in our last midweek of the early season, sees Abercarn travel to Abergavenny for a 745pm kick off, all our other games kick off at 645pm. Abergavenny are still looking for their first home win on their return to the Ardal Southern but remain unbeaten after two draws to date. After a 0-0 opener against Canton, the home side drew 1-1 last Tuesday against Risca United with an equaliser after 83 minutes by Jack Evans. While last Saturday in the FAW Trophy Abergavenny beat rival South East side Tredgar Town 2-1. Mason Keepin-Davies opened the scoring after just 5 minutes from the spot before a second on 18 minutes by Rudi Griffiths gave the home side a comfortable cushion. However Tredegar scored a penalty themselves on 72 minutes to give the home side several nervy minutes but they held out to reach the draw on Wednesday. Abercarn are also unbeaten in their Ardal Southern season, drawing 1-1 in the opener at home to Newport Corthinians, before winning last Tuesday at Treharris Athletic Western 2-1, thanks to a goal from Calwyn Fry after 69 minutes. Last Saturday Abercarn faced Ponthir from Gwent Division Two, at home in the FAW Trophy and came out 7-2 winners, Alex Adams scoring 4 times, along with goals from Drew Davies, Harrison Jones and Xavier Jones, just 18 and a summer signing from Wattsville.