Welsh League Round-Up – Trundle helps Llanelli Town extend WFL1 lead; Ponty suffer Major slip-up; Swansea Uni and Trefelin tighten grip on promotion
Llanelli Town extended their lead at the top of Welsh Football League Division One with a 2-0 victory over Goytre at Stebonheath Park on Friday night.
Lee Trundle and Liam Samuel with goals for The Reds. Penybont remain second despite losing 3-0 at Cwmbran Celtic, as well as having three points deducted in midweek for fielding an ineligible player on the opening weekend of the season. Despite their position, Rhys Griffiths’ side’s challenge for the title is all but over this season.
Haverfordwest County do retain realistic hopes of beating Llanelli Town to the trophy, however. Sean Cresser’s side ended a run of three consecutive wins with an impressive 2-1 victory over fellow title chasers Afan Lido at Marston’s Stadium. Greg Walters’ spectacular halfway line goal and a calm finish from Danny Williams gave The Bluebirds the points and moves them above Afan Lido into 3rd.
The Pembrokeshire outfit are six points adrift of Llanelli Town with a game in hand; the sides are due to meet at Stebonheath Park on March 27th in a match that will probably go a long way to deciding where the title ends up.
At the bottom, there were defeats for Ton Pentre and Caerau Ely. The Rhondda Bulldogs were beaten 2-0 at Port Talbot Town through a Cortez Belle double and Caerau Ely were beaten 1-0 at Goyte United (Tom Ateyo the scorer). Their prospects for survival were not helped by wins for rivals Cwmamman United, who beat Taffs Well 4-2 at Grenig Park, and Monmouth Town (4-1 winners at home to 5th placed Cambrian & Clydach Vale).
In Division One’s remaining fixture Undy Athletic and Briton Ferry Llansawel drew 2-2 at The Causeway.
There were more twists and turns in the ever-confusing title and promotion pictures in Division Two. Leaders STM Sports thrashed promotion rivals Garden Village 6-2 at Stafford Common. Lamin Conteh was back in the side for STM after injury and scored twice; his return to fitness no doubt a welcome boost for the Cardiff-based outfit.
STM Sports’ lead at the top was increased to four points following Pontypridd Town’s 1-0 home defeat to another promotion hopeful, Llantwit Major. Connor Goldsworthy’s goal direct from a corner kick the difference between the two sides on the day. Pontypridd Town do have three games in hand on STM Sports however.
In another promotion clash, Ammanford maintained their hopes at the expense of 4th placed Caldicot Town, winning 3-1 at Ammanford Recreation Ground. Jake Hammond (twice) and Matt Fisher the Ammanford scorers; Ben Smith replied for Caldicot Town.
Porth suffered a 19th consecutive league defeat of the season, beaten narrowly at Aberdare Town. Miles Case’s first for Aberdare was the only goal of the game. The win pushes Aberdare Town further away from their relegation threat and they may now begin to look at clubs they can catch further up the table. West End also gave their survival bid a massive boost thanks to a 2-1 away win at Croesyceiliog. Dinas Powys’ fixture at Aberbargoed Buds was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.
To complete the Division Two round-up, AFC Llwydcoed beat Abergavenny Town 2-1 at the Welfare Ground in a mid-table clash.
In Division Three, Swansea Uni and Trefelin BGC took another step towards promotion. Leaders Swansea Uni were 2-0 winners at home to Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Nick Hyden once again among the scorers. Trefelin BGC beat Chepstow Town 4-1 at Ynys Park, Jordan Edwards scoring a hat-trick for Richard Ryan’s side.
The top two’s prospects were increased by Bridgend Street’s 3-1 defeat at Trethomas Bluebirds. Bridgend Street are now 14 points behind second-placed Trefelin BGC. The Cardiff-side do have two games in hand (three over Swansea Uni) and still have to play both sides, but there’s a lot of ground to make on two sides that have lost just once between them in the league this season.
Of the bottom three, only Ely Rangers played this weekend and they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Newport City. Treowen Stars’ home fixture with Pontyclun and Neuadd Wen’s fixture at Treharris Athletic Western were both postponed due to unplayable pitches. Ynysygerwn gained a point from a 1-1 home draw with Tredegar Town, moving them up one position to 11th and eight points clear of the drop zone.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
