Friday 18 August

The new Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League season began with a bang at Llanrhystud, where the home side faced Bont. Llanrhystud apparently used my pre-season assessment of them as a motivational tool before the match, and it initially appeared to work, as they fired themselves into a 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately Bont, after recovering from the shock of that opening salvo, recovered through a brace of goals apiece from Warren Sedgwick and Michael Lowe, and additional goals from Trevor Jones and Peter Horton to run out 6-4 winners.

Darren Davies of Llanrhystud deserves a honourable mention for his opening day hat-trick; while Clint Middleton was both hero and villain for the home side, with both a goal and a penalty miss.

Saturday 19 August

Llanilar made the trip to Talybont. I saw Llanilar take on Penparcau in a warm-up game on Thursday and they were, to be honest, absolutely terrible. Sadly their form had not improved by Saturday, and a lone Simon Walker goal was enough to secure the three points for the newly promoted side.

Penparcau also secured an important victory in the always-difficult away fixture at Dolgellau, goals from Danny Whiteway and Matthew Davies seeing them past the home side.

Last year's Emrys Morgan Cup winners Bow Street survived a goal-fest against a brave Aberdyfi side, running out 6-4 winners. Newly promoted Tregaron Turfs also got their season off to a winning start as they convincingly defeated Padarn Utd. by three goals to nil.

Wednesday night sees a number of interesting fixtures, as reigning champions Penrhyncoch Reserves begin their campaign with a home fixture against Tregaron. I may brave the wrath of Llanrhystud to view their away game at Penparcau-my appearance at one of their fixtures may be about as welcome as Cristiano Ronaldo's at an England supporters club convention.