Match Day 5 is upon us after a great mid-week with Match Day 4 where we had 28 goals in the South East and 17 in the South West. With some great games this weekend, none were bigger than a Cardiff derby in the South West on Friday night where Cardiff Corinthians drew 2-2 with Cardiff Draconians, while there were two games in the South East on the same night, Goytre v Undy, which finished 2-2 and Risca United v Abertillery Bluebirds, with the Bluebirds winning 8-2.

Cwrt yr Ala Road was the venue, where Cardiff Corinthians faced Cardiff Draconians, 2nd v 3rd place in the league, both with identical playing records after three games, but the Corries having a greater goal difference. They faced newly promoted Treherbert BGC on Wednesday night and came away from Baglan Field, with a hard fought 2-2 draw, thanks to two goals from 17 year old Thierry Otu, signed in pre-season from Canton, where he scored 7 goals last season in 25 Ardal games, but already had 4 goals already in just 3 games. Otu put the Corries ahead after just 5 minutes on Wednesday, but the home side came back to equalise before Otu scored again shortly before the hour mark, only to see Treherbert equalise once again midway through the second half to share the spoils. Cardiff Draconians were home against Morriston Town in midweek, coming out 1-0 winners in a tight affair, Dylan Amin scoring the winner on 27 minutes. Onto Friday night and the Corries took the lead after just 4 minutes, Thierry Otu scoring again, before the Dracs fought back with a Sam Roberts penalty on 25 minutes, before taking the lead ten minutes later through Efu Kazadi. The Corries equalised though from the spot shortly before half time through Aaron Davies, his 6th of the season. Neither side could break each other down after the interval and the game finished 2-2, substitute Mo Djalo sent off for the Corries near the end for two cautions.

Over to the South East on Friday and Goytre welcomed Undy to Plough Road. Two league wins and a defeat saw them look to cement a top six place this weekend, after a confident 3-1 win over Treharris Athletic Western on Tuesday evening despite missing top scorer Chris Ham. Bradley Hanbury opened the Goytre scoring midway through the first half, but the visitors equalised just before the break. Ten minutes into the second half, 18 year old Alfie Young, the former Newport County Youth forward fired Goytre ahead after good work from Blake Tovey, while just after the hour mark it was Tovey again setting up the third goal for Elias Youssef, to leave captain Dan Barnard the final half hour to marshal his defence to prevent a Treharris comeback. Deep into injury time the game exploded with referee Jack Stuckey, sending off Treharris goalkeeper Elisangelo Queni and Joel Queni, before Goytre substitute Nathan Davies and Assistant Manager Eston Chiverton also saw red. The visitors Undy were looking to get their season back on track as the only game they had won to date was a 3-1 win over Tredegar Town. On Tuesday they hosted neighbors Caldicot Town at the Causeway, but went down to a 3-1 defeat after a closely fought first half. Caldicot took the lead after just 7 minutes from the spot, but Undy soon equalised two minutes later after good work from Harris Thomas set up Daniel Morgan to find the net. However two second half goals from Caldicot, ended Undy hopes of picking up a home win. Onto Friday and Goytre had a dream start Jon Evans, putting them a goal up before Bradbury Hanbury popped up with the second. Hanbury had been looking forward to facing his old club for whom he scored 7 times last season in 26 league games. However a goal just before half time brought Undy hope through Lovelle Barrett, before they found an equaliser late into the game, substitute Kieran Harris scoring on 82 minutes to earn a share of the spoils.

Our other Friday game in the South East was a mouthwatering game between Risca United and Abertillery Bluebirds, two sides who have tasted Cymru South Football in the last three seasons. Risca had a decent recovery to their season after the disappointing start with defeat at Treharris. On Tuesday they won a thriller at Croesyceiliog 4-3, to move up to 9th place, just 3 points behind early leaders Abertillery Bluebirds. Risca opened the scoring, Lloyd Oliver scoring the first of what would be a hattrick on the night, the 19 year old having broken through from the academy last season. It remained 1-0 until ten minutes into the second half when Oliver scored his second for Risca, before he scored his third on the hour mark, to give the away side a commanding 3-0 lead. It was to get worse ten minutes later for Croesyceiliog as Cole Greenhaf, signed from Croesyceiliog Athletic in the close season, scored a fourth to surely clinch the points for Risca. However a quadruple substitution on 73 minutes gave Croesyceiliog hope and an own goal from keeper Kavan Williams along with two other goals, led to a last few nervy minutes for Risca. Abertillery, apart from a defeat against Chepstow and a draw with Brecon, sat at the top of the South East table, after wins against Tredegar Town and Blaenavon Blues. The Blues were the visitors to Cwm Nant Y Groes on Tuesday, as the home side came out comfortably with a 3-1 win, despite finding themselves a goal down midway through the first half. However the Bluebirds equalised on the stroke of half time through Ryan Meredith after good work from Brandon Withers. Abertillery found the breakthrough on the hour mark as Tom Beynon scored their second of the evening, but failed from the spot to seal the three points five minutes from time. However deep into injury time, he made amends, setting up 20 year old substitute Cameron Williams, to make the final score 3-1. It turned out to be a shock scoreline on Friday, the Bluebirds winning 8-2, with goals from Ben Taylor (3), Tom Beynon (2), Iwan John from a penalty and Ryan Meredith (2). Cole Greenhalf and an own goal, giving Risca their two goal consolation.

Elsewhere in the South West on Saturday is a mouthwatering game between two former West Wales Premier sides, Morriston Town and Evans & Williams, while in the South East, Abercarn United host Treowen Stars, just 3.5 mile between the grounds, all Saturday games kicking off at 2.30.

Starting with league leaders Evans & Williams, they visit the Dingle for a game last played here, two seasons ago Evans & Williams winning 3-0 on that occasion. Evans & Williams faced another former West Wales rival on Tuesday when they travelled to Coed Gwillym Park, to face Clydach. A large crowd of 210 assembled to see Evans & Williams take an early lead through Dylan Ashford after just 6 minutes, before the home side equalised on 19 minutes. It remained at 1-1 until the 80th minute when ex Llanelli Town winger Bruno Forkuoh, put Evans & Williams ahead and it looked like another crucial three points, despite Clydach piling on the pressure and hitting the bar. However almost on the full time whistle, Clydach found the back on the net to leave Evans & Wiliams ruing two points dropped so late in the day, with the game tied at 2-2. Meanwhile Morriston Town were unlucky not to pick up any points with a tough encounter against Cardiff Draconians at Lydstep Park on Tuesday. The home side settled the game with a goal on 27 minutes, but Morriston, came close to grabbing an equaliser in battling display, with Coach Jonathan Coates and Manager Jonny Martin finding themselves in the book. Morriston have a strong spine in their team and its unlikely they will concede many goals this season with Steve Cann, Christian Evans, Luke Harris, Kieran Howard and Captain Samm Harrison in the side forming the back bone of what Manager Jonny Martin hopes to see a promotion push.

Another two West Wales sides face each other in Scurlidge, as South Gower play host to Pontardawe Town, in what will be an intriguing encounter, given the approach of both sides. Pontardawe are only left with around half a dozen players from last season, with new manager Ben Williams, bringing in a large number of new players, South Gower on the other hand have yet to make a signing, despite manager Ben Leahy looking to reinforce his squad which finished in seventh place last season, their first ever in the Ardal Southern although they are a former Welsh League side, albeit for two seasons between in 2009 and 2011. On Tuesday South Gower had a free date due to Bridgend Street not travelling down to the Gower due to distance, and sit in 9th place but having only played two league games so far. Meanwhile Pontardawe ground out a respectable 0-0 draw with Ynyshir at Parc Ynysderw and now sit in 8th position in the table as they look to bounce back with a promotion push to regain their place in the Cymru South. A lot will be expected of the experience in their side, captain Craig Davies who lifted the Ardal Southern trophy in 2021-22, Roman Legavec, a skillful Lithuanian, who has been nurtured into the first team plans over the last three seasons and Alex Aldrich, experienced at this level with 53 games for Port Talbot Town over the last two seasons at this level.

Ynyshir Albions are on their travels again this weekend as they travel to face Seven Sisters Onllwyn at the Welfare Ground. The home side will be looking at redeeming themselves after their 4-1 defeat at home to AFC Llwydcoed on Tuesday, the visitors finding themselves three goals to the good at the interval. There was no way back for Seven Sisters Onllwyn, as Llwydcoed scored a fourth on 53 minutes and a Jonathan Douglas effort deep in injury time after good work from Ethan Taylor was just a consolation. Seven Sisters Onllwyn will be looking for a win after just picking up two draws in the previous games this season. Simon Isaac, will be looking for goals from summer signings Rhys Winnett from Ynystawe and Jacob Sadler from Cwm Wanderers to supplement local talent, including Captain Shay Isaac, who has only missed 3 league games since they won promotion to the Ardal Southern at the end of 2021-22. Ynyshir on the other hand have played a lot better than their results suggest, two draws, both goalless and a narrow 2-1 defeat at Evans & Williams. On Tuesday they visited Pontardawe and again failed to find the net but proved they will be hard to beat again this season. Once they find their goalscoring ability, they will soon be moving up the table as they look to build on last season’s 5th place finish.

Bridgend Street face bottom club Swansea University having just played two games so far, a defeat at home to Cardiff Corries and a 1-0 win over Cefn Cribwr, veteran striker Jeff White scoring the winner on 71 minutes, after being set up by substitute Conor Cook. White made his name at Bridgend Street after playing for Rhoose in his early days and went on to be a Welsh Premier success at Port Talbot Town, Llanelli Town, Carmarthen Town and Newtown. Manager Criag Dale will be looking to make Willows Avenue a fortress this season on their return to football at this level after a three year absence. Swansea University find themselves bottom of the table with three defeats so far, but on paper they are still the same team that finished last season in 4th place and won the Ardal Southern Cup with a 3-2 victory over Cefn Cribwr, who they lost to on Tuesday in a closely fought game at the Jewson Stadium. Jon Beale will be looking at last seasons top scorer Josh Cole to add to his four goals so far, but he needs support from other players such as Aaron Rees and Mason Kelly, added to the experience of Warren Hudson. It is only a matter of time before they start winning but if they leave it much longer a promotion push will be difficult with the teams at the top showing it will be a tough division this season, with competition at a high level.

Clydach face a big game against AFC Llwydcoed at Coed Gwilym Park and confidence will be high after their last gasp equaliser against Evans & Williams on Tuesday evening. Twice Clydach came from behind to draw level, first through Cai Thomas, set up by the experienced Ryan Thomas and then the hero of the game Joe Farthing after good work from substitute Cody Tinkler-Key, both goal scorers key signings from Seven Sisters Onllwyn during the close season. Clydach will be looking at this game as winnable, to add to their only win to date against Swansea University on the opening day of the season. In goal is former Potardawe Town keeper Steve Reeve, who at 37 also captains the team. While a new signing given an opportunity of first team football at full back is former Llanelli Town Development player Dan Swinford. AFC Llwydcoed will also be full of confidence after their 4-1 win at Seven Sisters Onllwyn on Tuesday, thanks to goals from Ricky Carter (2), Dewi Abbruzzese and Owen Jeffries. New Manager Lewis Holder will be looking for another win now that they seem to have found their scoring boots, the win at Seven Sisters Onllwyn following a 9-1 win against Canton Rangers, with last seasons top scorer and Golden Boot winner outright in 2022-23 and shared in 2023-24, Ricky Carter having scored 5 goals over these last two games.

If games go their way Cefn Cribwr could be looking to go top at the end of the day as they take on Ynysgerwn at the Jewson Stadium. After an indifferent start to the season with a 2-2 draw with Pontyclun, then a surprise 1-0 defeat against Bridgend Street, Manager Scott Dryden, will be looking for his side to build on their wins over the last two games against Pontardawe Town and Swansea University. On Tuesday at the Jewson Stadium in a re-run of the Ardal Southern Cup Final in May, it was the turn of Cefn Cribwr to come out on top, with Ioan Clatworthy scoring the only goal of the game after just 24 minutes. It was the first time this season that the Symons triplets had featured in a first team squad, with Ben and Matt starting and Rob coming on as substitute for Matt on 68 minutes. Ynysygerwn have had a frustrating start to their league campaign, drawing two home games against Seven Sisters Onllwyn and Pontyclun, while losing 2-1 also at home to Morriston. This will be their first away game of the season and they are still reeling after the equaliser by Pontyclun on Tuesday, prevented their first win after last seasons top scorer, Bradley Cooks had put Ynysgerwn ahead. Crooks will be looking at beating his total of 16 goals in 29 games last season and challenge again for the Golden Boot, after missing out by just 3 goals in 2023-24.

Our final game in the South West sees Pontyclun face newcomers Treherbert BGC at Ivor Park. On Tuesday Pontyclun picked up a useful point at Llandarcy Park against Ynysygerwn, Cameron Thomas equalising after 69 minutes after the home side had taken a lead mid-way through the first half. It was the second point of the season for the side managed by Peter Banks, after two defeats against South Gower and Evans & Williams and he will be looking for a win in the first home game to kick start the season and move towards making sure the season doesn’t develop into a relegation battle. A lot will be expected this season from 25 year old Australian shot stopper Ryan Fleming, signed from Dinas Powys during the summer break, who has also played at Goytre United and Llanrumney United. Treherbert are still living the dream after a great start to life in Tier 3 of Welsh Football. Only formed in 2017, the side managed by Liam Goatson, have come a long way from the Rhondda League, achieving four back to back promotions since 2021. They remain unbeaten this season and on Tuesday held high riding Cardiff Corinthians to a 2-2 draw at Baglan Field their home in Treorchy, coming from 1-0 and 2-1 down on the hour mark, to draw 2-2, thanks to goals from 19 year old Brandon Thomas, signed from Ton Pentre last season for the run in, the goal after 15 minutes and substitute Harry Jones who scored after 71 minutes. The other results have seen a 0-0 draw with Rhondda rivals Ynyshir Albions and a 2-0 win over Clydach. The club is also unbeaten in the cups defeating Abergavenny in the JD Welsh Cup and Barry Athletic in the FAW Trophy.