FLOODLIGHTING & ELECTRICAL ARDAL SOUTHERN
MATCH DAY 8, 2024/25
13th & 14th September 2024
Match Day 8 now, and after four Friday games we have another ten games on Saturday, five in the South West and five in the South East. Friday evening saw two games take place apiece in the West and East.
At Llandarcy Sports Park, a local derby took place between Ynysygerwn and Pontardawe Town. With ex Manager Nick Maggs back in the home dug out to help the management of Maxx Williams and David Burrows, Pontardawe were playing their third game since parting ways with Manager Ben Williams. After a goalless first half it wasn’t until the 77th minute that Josh Doward, the ex-Wales Futsal International, put the visitors ahead after good work from Zimbabwean Arnold Ncube. However on 90 minutes the home side equalised, substitutes Joe Humphries and Charlie Farrell combining for Farrell to find the net and earn a point for Ynysygerwn. The other game in the South West saw a shock as Seven Sisters Onllwyn, won 1-0 away at high flying Cardiff Corinthians to move into 5th place, their highest ever place in the Ardal Southern League. The only goal of the game came after just six minutes when Leon Herdman, set up a goal for Jacob Sadler, to earn them just their second win of the season after last weeks 3-1 home win over Evans & Williams.
In the South East, Pen Y Pound Stadium was the venue as Abergavenny Town played host to Croesyceiliog and drew their fourth home game of the season, to go with their two home wins and extend their five game unbeaten run at home. They are still inbeaten in the league and currently sit in fifth position, with goalkeeper Ashley Morris the ex-Wales semi pro keeper only conceding four goals in seven games so far. While the other game saw a shock at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence as Risca United beat table toppers Brecon Corries 4-1 for only their second league win of the season. A Callum Hutton goal put the home side ahead, after an assist from Morgan Stead and it remained 1-0 at the interval. Brecon soon equalised in the second half, Craig Evans scoring after being set up by Joel Evans, but this just spurred on the home side who soon regained the lead, substitute Jayden Bowgen finishing after good work from Cole Greenhaf. On 74 minutes Greenhaf was at it again, setting up Lloyd Oliver, before captain Finlay Wood, set up Greenhaf himself to make it 4-1. On 86 minutes Brecon found themselves down to 10 men as Luke Roughly saw red after a second caution and it could have ended worse had Wood not seen his injury time penalty saved by visiting keeper Stephen Price.
Onto Saturday and a local derby in the South West sees Clydach visit Morriston Town, a game which sees 11th take on 13th place in the table. Morriston will be looking to make up for last Saturdays 4-3 defeat in the FAW Trophy at Tata Steel. Charlie Coates put Morriston ahead on 28 minutes but Tata Steel drew level at the interval. The second half started encouragingly for the visitors Stephen Davey scoring twice in a minute on 50 and 51 minutes after being assisted by ex-Cardiff City striker Mark Jones and ex Swansea City midfielder Jandir Zola, however two quick goals in the 55th and 57th minutes saw Tata Steel equalise. However despite Morriston looking the more likely to win the game it was not to be as Tata Steel scored the winner in the 77th minute. It was even worse the week before Pontyclun ending their Ardal Southern League Cup hopes with a 5-1 win at Ivor Park, Stephen Davey scoring the Morriston consolation. Clydach meanwhile will be looking to kick start their season which had started well with a win over Swansea University and JD Welsh Cup win over Tregaron Turfs. However since then they have gone seven games without a win and crashed out of the FAW Trophy, JD Welsh Cup and Ardal Southern Cup, where Pontardawe Town knocked them out last Saturday at Coed Gwillym Park with a 2-0 win. Manager Damien Daley will be looking for a fight back today from his side as they look to pull away from the early season relegation battle and make their mark in their first ever season at Tier 3.
At the University Sports Centre, Swansea University will be looking to overcome the absence of Noah Osborne on duty with the Southern Regions Cup side representing Wales in the Regions Cup in Serbia this week. Noah started the first game in the competition a 3-1 defeat against West Slovakia at the Serbian FA Sports Centre in Stara Pazova. The Uni are now five games unbeaten, winning on penalties, 6-5 in their last two cup games after a 1-1 draw against Caerphilly Athletic in the JD Welsh Cup thanks to a Mason Kelly goal and a 3-3 draw at Newport Corinthians in the Ardal Southern Cup, thanks to goals from Ollie Roberts, Dylan Perkins and McCauley Power, winning the shoot-out 5-3. While last Saturday ex-Llanelli Town winger Dylan Williams was the hero scoring the only goal of the game at Pontyclun, in the 11th minute after Josh Cole had assisted. The visitors Treherbert BGC will be looking for a much improved performance following their 2-1 defeat last Saturday in the FAW trophy at last seasons Ardal Southern side Penydarren BGC who are looking to bounce back this season after their relegation. Christian Bethell had equalised for Treherbert just after the hour mark after Penydarren had taken an early lead but it wasn’t to be as the home side scored the winner on 77 minutes. The week before Treherbert had produced a superb display at Baglan Field to defeat South East side Croesyceiliog 5-2 in the Ardal Southern Cup. Despite falling a goal behind, Treherbert came storming back to take the lead through Brandon Thomas and an own goal, however the visitors drew level on 56 minutes. In a thrilling finish through two goals from Christen Bethell on 77 and 82 minutes and a goal from Deacon Greening on 86 minutes, saw Treherbert earn a home tie in the next round against Abertillery Bluebirds.
An exciting clash takes place at Ivor Park, a rerun of the last game of the season in 2021-22, when Ynyshir won 2-0 to clinch a play off spot and deny Pontyclun. Today sees Ynyshir in 7th place while Pontyclun are languishing in 16th spot and desperate for a change of luck for their first win of the season and narrowly losing 1-0 to Swansea University last week at home. It was a different story the previous week when Pontyclun produced their best performance of the season to date to defeat Morriston Town 5-1 in the Ardal Southern Cup, Matthew Jacka, Jackson Acreman, George Shrewing, Arjen Matthews and Iestyn Stone all on the scoresheet. Ynyshir meanwhile are in good form, unbeaten in their last six league and cup games. Last time out in the league they beat Clydach 1-0 at the Ynyshir Oval, Joseff Haig finding the net, while the last two weeks has seen cup wins in both the Ardal Southern Cup and FAW Trophy against Bridgend Street and Pencoed Athletic respectively. Joseff Haig continued his good form against Bridgend street, scoring alongside a goal from Jorrie-Blue Griffiths to clinch a 2-1 win, while Haig scored from the spot last week as the Albions won 4-1 against Pencoed, also providing three assists to Mason Evans, Leon Anstee and Chad Goss. Pontyclun will do well to break down the visitors defence after they have only conceded 3 goals in 5 games so far in the league.
The Willows will see the first ever game between Bridgend Street and Evans & Williams, with their first visit to the capital for a competitive game since their defeat to Cardiff Institute of Higher Education in 1968 in the Welsh Amateur Cup. Bridgend Street turned the corner last Saturday after a poor run of form which had seen them lose 3-1 at Ynysygerwn last time out in the league, Osian Actie on the scoresheet and 2-1 at Ynyshir Albions two weeks ago in the Ardal Southern League Cup, Dan Noyes finding the net after an assist from Jeff White gave the Street hope after their had found themselves 2-0 down at half time, but it proved to be just a consolation in the end. However with Llanrumney United the visitors to the Willows last Saturday in the FAW Trophy, Bridgend Street produced a polished all round display to win 3-0. A goal up on the interval thanks to Jeff White who was assisted by Mike Murphy, goalkeeper Aaron Fettah produced his first clean sheet of the season in the second half in only his second first team start after signing from Canton in the close season. Further goals from Dan Noyes on 56 minutes from the penalty spot and Mike Murphy at the death after good work from Abdul Mohsin, saw Bridgend Street progress in the Trophy. Evans & Williams currently in second place after an encouraging start to life in Tier 3, will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous send half last Saturday at Seven Sisters Onllwyn. A goal up after just 12 minutes thanks to Owain Taylor-Phillips after Bruno Forkuoh provided the chance, Evans & Williams found themselves level deep in first half injury time. However the second half saw an own goal from Sion Williams provide the home side with the lead and they clinched what was their first league win of the season on 88 minutes to condemn the visitors to their second defeat of the season in the League.
The final game in the South West sees Cefn Cribwr host Cardiff Draconians in a top of the table clash, 1st v 4th in the league. Since returning to their home pitch at Cae Gof, now called the Jewson Stadium, Cefn Cribwr are unbeaten in the league with four wins and a draw to date. Two weeks ago they produced a 3-0 win over Seven Sisters Onllwyn in the Ardal Southern League Cup, Ioan Clatworthy, Elis Matthews and substitute James Carrington on the scoresheet. However last Saturday in the FAW Trophy Cefn Cribwr lost on penalties to Ynysygerwn after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Kyle Evans had opened the scoring for Cefn Cribwr after just 10 minutes but they failed to capitalize on possession and conceded an equaliser just after the interval Ioan Clatworthy finding his own net. This is how it stayed and despite penalties from Clatworthy, Ben Symons, Mark Evans, Matthew Symons, Ross Hooper and Arron Weaver, Kal Mere failed to convert to give Ynysygerwn a 7-6 penalty win. Cardiff Draconians are also in a similar run of form, although they lost in the Ardal Southern league Cup two weeks ago, 2-0 at Canton. However last Saturday Nana Baah saw his side produced a confident display at home to Ton Pentre in the FAW Trophy winning 4-1. Ibraim Sani opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 13 minutes, before Callum Beckett added a second after good work from Ben Vincent on 24 minutes. It was all but over on 39 minutes when Beckett added his second, assisted by Jamal Roberts. Ibraim Sani scored his second of the game on 72 minutes, assisted by Marinho Manga, before the visitors scored a consolation on 90 minutes to make the final score 4-1.
Onto the South East and Treowen Stars face Undy at Bush Park looking to go top of the league with what would be their sixth win out of eight games and they are seven inbeaten since their opening day defeat against Brecon Corries. Two weeks ago however they suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat against AFC Llwydcoed in the Ardal Southern League Cup, but they were back in form last Saturday with a 6-0 win at AFC Pontymister as Manager Ben Murphy progressed in the FAW Trophy at Longbridge Fields. On the Stars scoresheet was Corey Jenkins, Christian Davies, Chris Colvin, Chris Hartland, and two goals from substitute Carter Campbell, as goalkeeper Cael Jones kept his fourth clean sheet of the season in just five games, the only goal he has conceded was in the 6-1 win over Abercarn United. The visitors Undy are looking to find some decent form having only won one game so far this season against Tredegar. Two weeks ago they travelled to Llanelli to face Evans & Williams in the Ardal Southern league Cup and suffered a 4-0 defeat, while the previous week they had lost 3-1 to Abergavenny Town, Dan Jarman scoring the Undy consolation from the penalty spot. Undy have showed glimpses of last season’s form when they finished in 8th place when they travelled to Goytre and came away with a useful 2-2 draw. However they will need to solve their defensive problems soon if they are not to be involved in a relegation battle this season after conceding 24 goals so far in just 6 league games, providing a headache for manager Lewis Thomas.
At Plough Road, Goytre host visiting Abertillery Bluebirds with 9th place v 4th place in the league. Goytre will be looking to kick start some consistency in their league form having won two, drawn one and lost two of the five league games so far. Last time out in the league they lost 2-0 at Abergavenny but have played three cup ties since then winning JD Welsh Cup and Dragon Signs FAW Trophy games but losing in the Ardal Southern League Cup. In the Welsh Cip they produced a penalty shoot out win against Pontylcun after a 1-1 draw, Chris Ham equalising an early goal by Pontyclun on 55 minutes, enabling a 4-2 penalty win. The following week saw the exit from the League Cup, losing 3-1 away to Caldicot Town, Josh Richardson scoring the consolation for Goytre. While last Saturday Goytre won 3-1 away at Nelson Cavaliers at Wern Park in the Trophy, coming from a goal down thanks to Chris Ham, Jac Evans and Daniel Barnard finding the net. Striker Chris Ham needs just eight more goals to become the first player to score 100 goals in the Ardal Southern League and will be hoping to bring that target down this weekend. The Bluebirds, looking to bounce back after last seasons season in the sun in the Cymru South, have only lost twice this season, both league games against Chepstow and Canton, their last league game. They are unbeaten on their travels, and have won their last three games in the cup. In the JD Welsh Cup they dispatched Cascade YC 3-2, Ben Taylor, Nathan Tunley and Cameron Burgham on the scoresheet. Two weeks ago they faced a trip down West to Ynysygerwn in the Ardal Southern League Cup and won 5-1 thanks to goals from Tom Beynon, Ben Taylor and a hattrick from Iwan John. While last Saturday in the FAW Trophy the Bluebirds won 7-1 at Cwm Nant-Y-Groes, Ryan Meredith scoring four times, Tom Beynon twice and Iwan John also finding the net.
The Memorial Ground sees Blaenavon Blues host Canton, with 12th v 3rd positions in the league. Blaenavon Blues have lost their last three games, since their last success a 1-0 win at Tredegar. In the JD Welsh Cup three weeks ago, Cardiff Corinthians were 4-1 winners at the Memorial Ground, despite 18 year old Kian Cook equalising early in the second half. However the visitors scored three further goals for a comfortable win in the end. While two weeks ago Cardiff Corinthians were also the opponents in the Ardal Southern League Cup, this time triumphing 2-1 at Cwrt yr Ala Road, home of Caerau (Ely) with their ground unavailable. The Corries scored just before half time to go in 1-0 at the interval, despite the Blues being well in the game. However the Corries started to stamp their authority on the game in the second half, but it wasn’t until a further goal on 88 minutes seemed to seal the game despite the Blues having a great chance to go 2-1 up themselves. An own goal in injury time gave Blaenavon hope but it proved to be just a consolation in the end. Last Saturday saw a return to league action with a trip to Brecon but the home side triumphed 6-1, Ben Williams putting the Blues ahead after just 10 minutes, but the home side soon regained control and were 3-1 up at the interval, before three late goals painted a harsh picture for the Blues. Caton meanwhile who have switched this season to the South East have only lost once in seven league games this season. Their last three games though have all been in cups, a JD Welsh Cup game at Penydarren saw the game cancelled by the referee with Canton 5-0 down and this game is currently under a disciplinary charge. Two weeks ago Canton produced an excellent display to beat Cardiff Draconians 2-0, in the Ardal Southern Cup, ex Wales Futsal star Tyrell Webbe and substitute Jack Wheten on the scoresheet. While last Saturday saw Canton travel to face Heolgerrig Red Lion Community FC at Pentrebach in the FAW Trophy. A hattrick from Norton Ferreira set Canton on the way to a comprehensive 5-1 win, Tyrelle Webbe and Yonis Hussien also finding the net.
Newport Corinthians face Caldicot Town at Coronation Park, 13thplace against 10th place. Since the Corries 2-1 defeat to Abertillery Bluebirds in the league they have faced three cup ties, the first a 1-0 win at Aberdare town in the JD Welsh Cup, Lewis Brown the goalscoring hero. Two weeks ago in the Ardal Southern League Cup Newport Corinthians produced a good display, to hold last seasons Cup winners Swansea University to a 3-3 draw at Coronation Park. After finding themselves a goal down after 3 minutes, excellent play from Max Holley, resulted in an equaliser from Sam Beckett after 6 minutes, before Swansea regained the lead on 13 minutes. However deep in first half injury time Nathan Perkins equalised from the penalty spit to leave it all square at the interval. It was to be the home side who scored next, good work from Jake Dymond, setting up Lewis Brown on the hour, but the Uni came back to equaliser after 78 minutes and force a penalty shoot-out. Despite Sam Beckett, Jake Clark and Luke White scoring, Nathan Perkins saw his shot fail and Swansea University progressed with a 5-3 penalty win. However last Saturday saw Newport Corinthians successful in a penalty shoot out after drawing 2-2 at Cwmbach Royal Stars in the FAW Trophy at Cwmbach Recreation Ground. Harrison Shelley and Niall Yeates, scored the goals in 90 minutes before Sam Broadribb, Joe Beckett, Jake Dymond, Declan Grant were successful from the spot to clinch a 4-3 win. Caldicot Town meanwhile won their own penalty shoot-out three weeks ago in the JD Welsh Cup after a 2-2 draw at Penlan. A double from Ben Donoghue, saw the game go to penalties with Caldicot clinching a 6-5 win in the shootout. Two weeks ago at Jubliee Way in the Ardal Southern League Cup, Caldicot dispatched visitors Goytre 3-1 in comprehensive style, goals from Lewis Grant, Ben Donoghue and Jake Davies, helping Caldicot recover from going a goal down after 31 minutes to take control of the second half after an equaliser shortly before the interval. However last Saturday they suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat by Tredegar Town finding themselves a goal down after just 6 minutes. Jake Davies set up Laurent Ngunjoh to equaliser after 20 minutes, however the visitors scored twice on 60 and 61 minutes to take a 3-1 lead. Despite a 76th minute penalty from Sam Swann, Caldicot could not find another equaliser to go down to their first home defeat of the season.
The final game in the South East sees Abercarn United host Tredegar Town, 8th v 16th. Last Saturday Abercarn produced an excellent 6-2 home win in the Dragon Signs FAW Trophy against Mardy, Drew Davies, Alex Adams, Sam Thomas, David Griffiths (2) and an own goal seeing the home side sail comfortably into the next round. The week before though saw Abercarn exit the Ardal Southern Cup at the hands of this weekends visitors Tredegar although the game was played at Tredegar Leisure Centre. The home side took the lead after just 8 minutes, Andrew Martin setting up Luke Morgan to open the scoring. However on 21 minutes Abercarn were back on level terms Alex Adams scoring from the penalty spot for his ninth goal of the season. On the verge of half time Tredegar took the lead again, Connor Evans setting up Tye Duggan, for what would prove to be the last goal of the game and give Tredegar a priceless first win of the season. They added to it last week in the Ardal Southern with a 3-2 win at Caldicot, Travis Crompton, Oliver Bruton and Ian Petitt from the penalty spot giving Tredegar their first win of the season in the South East. So this game will be massive for both teams and an early six pointer as teams look to climb the table.
