"Yet another spread of games in this week's round-up, as the third round of the Emrys Morgan Cup took place, together with a couple of games in the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League.

We begin with the Emrys Morgan Cup Round 3, as the interesting clash between Bont and Tregaron Turfs took place. With both these teams occupying the top two spots in the league Division One, the game promised to have some significant pointers as to who would have the edge in the battle for the title.

In the end, the game was less close than expected. Tregaron seemed to realise that in order to get a victory they needed to boss the game from the outset and they did that successfully. Their frequent attacks were however broken up by a solid Bont defence, and it was not until that defence began to tire that Tregaron took one of their opportunities with a Jonathan Evans goal.

The goal was just reward and when Caradog Daniel scored for Tregaron soon after Bont looked ready to capitulate. But they hung in there and a late consolation from Dewi Sion Evans raised the spectre of extra-time, but the scoreline ended 2-1 to the Turfs.

To be fair, the game obviously has no consequence for the league, but I wonder whether Bont's defeat at home gives us an indication that, if the league comes down to these two teams, the Turfs may have the slight edge. Bont were certainly not at their best, but if they can produce the form that saw them make the pace in the league this season, they are capable of reversing this result when the sides next meet. In any event, the Turfs march on to the last 16.

Joining them are Llanilar, who defeated Llanrhystud 1-0 at Castle Hill Park. Both teams were missing players, Llanilar in particular were without leading scorer Richard Pugh, who confidently predicted Llanilar would not score without him in the side. Despite this apparent lack of confidence, a lone Dylan Davies goal saw Llanilar through.

Cup holders Bow Street also went through, a brace apiece from Gerwyn Loosely and Peter James and a single Mark Evans goal saw the Magpies record a 5-0 win over Newcastle Emlyn at Cae Piod.

Dolgellau progressed thanks to Ian Jones Morris, Sion Williams, Darren Jones and an own goal to record an excellent win over Kerry. Sadly a number of our teams also exited the competition: Penrhyncoch Reserves were beaten 3-2 at Gwernyfed, Llanon suffered a 5-0 reverse at the hands of Llanfair United, Penparcau departed via a 2-1 loss at Rhosgoch, while Trawsgoed were annihilated 12-1 by Llandrindod Wells.

In Division One, Talybont scored an important victory over Padarn, two Sam Penfold goals and a James Fox strike seeing them win by 3 goals to 1 over Padarn, whose consolation came via Paul Griffiths. The victory keeps Talybont in fourth place, a position they would surely have been happy with at the start of the season. Padarn have however slipped into the wrong half of the table, and will need to improve their performances in order to hope for more than a mid-table finish.

One team for who a mid-table finish would be a dream is Aberdyfi, who fell to another defeat this week with a 2-1 loss to UWA Reserves. Yushi Hirose and John Parry got the students' goals, with Phil Betts getting Aberdyfi's reply. They have now played 12 games (more than any club around them) and shipped 51 goals. Only Penrhyn Res with their points deduction are below them. Nevertheless, they are still in touch in points terms with the teams around them, and a good second half of the season could see them escape trouble. The students meanwhile move into fifth, and they are certainly a much improved side from last season.

In Division Two, the top two sides played. Aberystwyth Town Thirds secured a routine 5-1 victory over Penrhyncoch Thirds, two goals apiece from Peter Hughes and Carl Gittins, together with a David Blair strike was more than enough, Penrhyn's goal coming via Deian Thomas.

Judging by the scoreline, Tywyn/Bryncrug Reserves were made to work hard at home by Corris, securing a slim 1-0 victory through a Gareth Griffiths goal. The Thirds and Tywyn are still locked together at the top on points, with the Thirds having a game in hand.

Next week sees three games in the Cambrian Tyres League Cup Round 2: Machynlleth play Dolgellau, Llanrhystud host Padarn, while UWA Res play Bont at Blaendolau. In Division One, Aberdyfi have a difficult home tie with Tregaron, Bow Street seek to keep pace with the top two as they host Llanilar, while Penrhyn Res need to start making up serious ground in the table as they welcome Penparcau."