Welsh League Round-Up – D2 title becomes a four-horse race; Trefelin boost D3 promotion bid; Ynysygerwn chairman makes WL debut
Sam Snaith continued his recent fine form with another hat-trick as Llantwit Major bounced back being 2-0 down at Aberbargoed Buds to win 4-2 and maintain their Division Two promotion push.
The teenage striker has scored ten goals in his last five appearances including hat-tricks on successive weekends. This defeat – alongside a midweek defeat to Pontypridd Town – practically ends Aberbargoed Buds’ interest in the Division Two title this season.
Division Two leaders STM Sports were held to a 0-0 draw at AFC Llwydcoed, which means they drop to second behind Pontypridd Town following their 1-0 win over managerless Aberdare Town at Aberaman Park. Andrew Smith the matchwinner for The Dragons.
Fellow promotion and title chasers Ammanford were also playing in Rhondda Cynon Taf this weekend, romping to a 7-1 win at AFC Porth with Craig Frater hitting the back of the net five times at Dinas Park. It is realistically now a four-horse race for the title as Garden Village’s bid unravelled further with another defeat, this weekend losing 3-1 at home to Abergavenny Town.
Caldicot Town finished their season on a high and guaranteed a top-seven finish with a 3-2 win at Pontardawe Town on Saturday.
In Division Three Swansea University secured promotion and the league title with a win at Caerau on Thursday night, it’s now a question of whether Trefelin BGC or Bridgend Street join them in Division Two next season.
Second-placed Trefelin extended their lead over third-placed Bridgend Street to six points with a 5-0 win at Tredegar Town, giving a healthy boost to their goal difference. There were braces for Jordan Edwards and Damon Thomas, as well as a goal for captain Ceri Williams. Bridgend Street have two games in hand and a superior goal difference and both sides still have to play Swansea University in their remaining fixtures.
Neuadd Wen’s battle to survive took a blow as they were beaten 3-2 at Pontyclun. The Aberbargoed-based club trail Ely Rangers by four points with two games in hand, but the games are running out for the club in their bid to avoid relegation from the Welsh League during their debut season.
Elsewhere, Treharris Athletic Western won 1-0 at resurgent Treowen Stars. The win that means Treharris will almost certainly finish fourth. Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Trethomas Bluebirds met at Glasbrook Field in a match between two sides trying to secure a top-five finish, the home side finishing 2-1 winners. Ynysygerwn and Panteg also remain within mathematical reach of fifth place and met on Friday night, playing out a 1-1 draw.
The match at Panteg House also produced one of the stories of the weekend. A patched-up Ynysygerwn side were forced to call upon two members of their committee as substitutes. Among them was chairman Barrie Davies, who three years ago suffered a heart attack and required a double bypass operation yet proudly made his Welsh League debut on Friday night.
In Division One there is very little at stake in the remaining fixtures except a bit of jockeying for position. Haverfordwest County secured second-place behind promoted champions Llanelli Town thanks to a 3-1 win at relegated Caerau Ely. It’s been a strong season for the Pembrokeshire side whose squad of mostly local players has an average age of a little over 21 years old.
Afan Lido’s 2-2 draw at bottom club Ton Pentre also meant fourth-placed was confirmed for another youthful outfit, Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC. The Rhondda club have improved immensely under Craig Hughes this season and he leaves in place very sound foundations for successor Dane Williams to build upon.
Llanelli Town completed their league campaign with a 3-1 win at Cwmbran Celtic, Jordan Follows bagging a hat-trick. The Reds’ final tally of 75 points is the highest since ENTO Aberaman Athletic (78) in the 2008/09 season.
The final game this weekend was a 1-0 win for Goytre over Cwmamman United at Plough Road.
(Featured Image: Steve Roberts)
