Saturday 3 February and Saturday 10 February

"The plentiful snow of last week ensured I did not fall too far behind with reports, as all but one game was called off. The hardy players were at Llanon, where the home team gained a welcome 6-2 victory over Llanilar Reserves to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

For the majority of this week's report therefore, we must cast our minds further back, more precisely to Saturday 3rd February, for our league and cup action. I'll begin in the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League Division One, where Aberdyfi sprang the biggest surprise as they defeated Bont by 3 goals to 2 via a Phil Betts brace and a Dan Williams strike. Bont's goals came via Rhydian Davies and Warren Sedgwick. Aberdyfi climb out of the bottom two thanks to the superb result, while Bont's title challenge seems to be fading fast.

The team seemingly taking their place in the race for Division One is Penparcau, who travelled to Llanrhystud and outmuscled the home team by 5 goals to 3. A Lee Jones hat-trick, together with goals from Michael Gornall and Ishmael Abberton saw Penparcau cut Bow Street's lead at the top to five points. Llanrhystud's goals came via Anthony Tedaldi, Darren Davies and Dafydd Davies; they remain anchored in mid-table.

Catching them up fast are Penrhyncoch Reserves, who furthered Padarn's misery by defeating them by a goal to nil. Joe Sherwood got the game's only strike; Penrhyn continue their climb up the table, while Padarn must find points from somewhere or they risk being cast adrift at the foot of the table.

Meanwhile at Blaendolau, UWA Reserves and Talybont battled to a 2-2 draw. Robbie Southgate and Dylan Lewis were on the mark for the away side, with the students replying through an own goal and a Yusuke Hirose strike. The result does little for UWA, who must now be growing concerned about their position, while it's a useful point for Tally, as they remain top of the mid-table sides.

In Division Two, both the top sides ensured the situation remained unchanged by recording identical 9-0 victories. Tywyn/Bryncrug Reserves' win came against Llanilar Reserves, the highlight being four goals for Chris Jordan, while Aberystwyth Town Thirds' demolition of Llanon kept them in touch, thanks to standout performances by Jason Rees (five goals) and Dai Blair (hat-trick).

Elsewhere Penrhyn Thirds stayed in third with a 1-1 draw at Trawsgoed, Penparcau Reserves defeated UWA Thirds 3-2, and Bow Street Reserves held Talybont Reserves to a 2-all draw.

The quarter finals of the Emrys Morgan Cup were also played this weekend, and while I've not been furnished with the scorers in these ties, I can report that Bow Street gained a upset victory against much-fancied Bishops Castle by 4 goals to nil. Tregaron also progressed with a 4-0 victory, though their opponents were Crannog. It was Llanilar however, who sprang the biggest surprise, as they made a mockery of their league placing with an excellent 1-0 victory over Spar Mid-Wales South side Llandrindod Wells.

Therefore, the Aberystwyth League has three out of the four semi-finalists in the Emrys Morgan, surely a sign of the league's strength. In the semi-finals, Bow Street will play Tregaron, most probably at Penrhyn's Cae Baker ground, while Llanilar will probably have to travel to Rhyader for their date with Rhosgoch Rangers.

And so, on to the predictions for this week's Division One ties:

Aberdyfi v. Talybont

I've had a fair bit of stick from the virulent Aberdyfi support regarding my predictions for the Bont game (see the fixtures page). If they are on the up (which their win at Bont seems to suggest) then they should get a victory over Talybont, who have seemingly secured their place in the top flight for next season. Aberdyfi will therefore probably want the victory that bit more, so 'Mr I don't watch Aberdyfi but I'll predict against them anyway' will predict an Aberdyfi win this week. Prediction: Aberdyfi 2-1 Talybont.

Result:Aberdyfi 2 Talybont 2

Bont v Penrhyncoch Reserves

This is the classic fixture: a team in superb form against a team on a bad run. In theory, Penrhyn should win: Bont have sustained several reverses since New Year and look like being cut adrift of the title race; Penrhyn have risen from rock-bottom to mid-table. But ties like this are a nightmare to predict because I can see the form-book flying out the window. So, quite logically, I'll run for the coward's exit and back a draw. Prediction: Bont 2-2 Penrhyn Res.

Result:Bont 0 Penrhyncoch Res 3

Padarn v. UWA Reserves

Both teams need a win here. Padarn need to get away from that bottom spot as soon as possible or they'll just get stuck there. The students have also been on a bad run as of late, and they are now being drawn into the murky bottom of the table. Home advantage just wins out for me here, but it's a close call. Prediction: Padarn 1-0 UWA Res.

Result:Padarn 2 UWA Res 2

Elsewhere, there's a number of cup games. Dolgellau travel to Llanybydder in the Cwpan Ceredigion Round 2, while in Round 3 of the same competition Llanilar face Bow Street, and in Round 4 Tregaron make the journey to Aberaeron. Penparcau face Newbridge at Min-y-Ddol in the Central Wales Cup Round 4, and there is also a full programme of games in Division Two this week."

Written by Lee Taylor from Aberystwyth.