Saturday 17 and 24 March
"As someone commented to me just this week: "you've gotten lazy in your reporting", so once again I must ask readers to cast their minds back over a week for the round-up of results, in this case back to the 17th March.
The cup competitions are coming thick and fast now, the Len & Julia Newman Memorial Trophy was the one getting into gear this week with Round 2, and the big surprise was at Machynlleth, where the home team defeated Aberystwyth Town Thirds (undefeated in the league) by a sole Duncan Vaughan goal.
Elsewhere the surprises were less evident, although a correspondent on our 'fixtures' page has assured us Tywyn/Bryncrug were just 10 minutes from causing an upset at Cae Piod against Bow Street. Chris Jordan was the Tywyn goalscorer, but late goals from Peter James and Gerwyn Loosely saw the Magpies to a 2-1 win.
Llanrhystud's poor run continued, as they were unceremoniously dumped out by Bont 6-0. Damon Smith, Sion Meredith, Trefor Jenkins, Ben Jenkins, Peter Horton and Owen Schiavone were the Bont scorers. Penparcau won the round's most interesting battle, overwhelming Penrhyncoch Reserves 4-1. Marty Kupis, Ishmael Abberton, Martin Davies and Lee Jones were the scorers for Penparcau, with Griff Lewis getting the Penrhyn consolation.
The other two games in round 2 were closely fought affairs; Llanilar began a nightmare week for them with a 1-0 defeat at home to Aberdyfi, Sam Evans getting the only goal. Dolgellau also progressed to round 3 with a 1-0 victory over Padarn, Darren Jones being the match winner.
In the sole league fixture, Tregaron closed the gap on Bow Street to just three points with a 4-1 win over UWA Reserves at Blaendolau. Two goals from Dorian Coleman, together with strikes from Caradog Daniel and David Weir (I assume this isn't the ex-Everton defender) were enough for the Turfs, the students' reply coming via Matt Rimmer.
In Division Two, Corris did well to hold Penrhyn Thirds to a 1-1 draw, Llanon sustained a heavy defeat at home to Bow Street Reserves, Penparcau Res won a clear victory over Dolgellau Res 2-0, while UWA Thirds thrashed Trawsgoed 4-0.
And so on to two very big games on Wednesday night, and at Penrhyn's Cae Baker ground Penparcau booked their place in the Cambrian Tyres League Cup final with a 4-2 victory over Padarn. Goals from Ishmael Abberton, Matthew Davies, Lee Jones and Steve Wellsby booked the final date with Tregaron, Padarn's replies coming via an own goal and a Jason Davies strike. The final will be an interesting one, Penparcau rarely leave the season without some silverware, while Tregaron are still in the hunt for nearly every trophy going so the stakes will be high.
In the Emrys Morgan Cup semi-final, Rhosgoch and Llanilar were also competing to meet Tregaron in the final of the competition, and unfortunately it was Rhosgoch who ended Llanilar's run with a 3-1 victory. The result is a shame as it would have been nice to see an all Aber League final, but I'm sure we'll all wish Tregaron well. The final itself should be a good game as both teams are excellent attacking sides (so I've been told).
So onto last weekend, and Tregaron pushed themselves to the top of the table on goal difference with a 7-0 annihilation of Llanilar at Castle Hill Park. This game was the first chance I've had to see Tregaron in action, and I must say they didn't disappoint, serving up some fluent forward play, though some poor defending from the home side did not help the overall result.
The day itself was bright, but what felt like a force 5 arctic gale (something that seems to be ever-present in Llanilar) blew across the pitch. Tregaron showed they were serious from the start, forming a Celtic-style huddle before kick-off, leaving the onlooking Llanilar players baffled by such team unity.
Tregaron played into the wind in the first half, which may explain why the half-time scoreline was merely 2-0. After the break though, the Turfs took control and the goals began to fly in.
The scoreline could have been higher but for some good saves from Llanilar keeper Nathan Bennett, who after 70 minutes of berating his defenders to little effect seemed to lose heart with the whole affair and resorted to picking the ball out of the net with a stony silence.
For the record, the Tregaron scorers were Rhydian Garner (hat-trick), Dorian Coleman, Alun Evans, Cledan Davies, and Brynmor Jones. I was suitably impressed by Tregaron, and can see why they have made such an impact this season with their good attacking football.
Elsewhere Llanrhystud continued to watch the season drift by with little to show for it, as they went down 4-2 to a UWA Res side which has been equally as poor in recent weeks. Both sides have not had the best of seasons, which is reflected by their lower mid-table positions.
The two sides above them, Dolgellau and Talybont, fought out a 2-2 draw, Robbie Southgate and Jamie Barron getting the goals for the Tigers, with Gareth Lloyd and Darren Jones replying for Dolgellau.
In Division 2, it was business as usual as Aber Thirds defeated Trawsgoed 8-1, Tywyn Res, defeated Talybont Res 10-1, Llanilar Res lost by 2 goals to 1 against Penparcau Res, while Dolgellau Res defeated UWA Thirds 3-1.
Predictions this week:
Aberdyfi v. Llanilar
Home advantage will tell in this crucial relegation battle. Llanilar need to pick themselves up after a bad week, but Aberdyfi have the edge after a cup victory in the previous tie between these teams, and I think they'll edge it.
Aberdyfi 2-1 Llanilar
Dolgellau v. Penrhyn Res.
Dolgellau have a lot of ground to make up in the league, having only played 12 games, but I think this one will be close. Penrhyn have been on good form since Xmas, but the loss to Penparcau shows they are not immune to the odd defeat. I'll back a draw here.
Dolgellau 2-2 Penrhyn Res.
Padarn v. Llanrhystud
Two teams on a downer, Padarn have just seen their season evaporate with that semi-final loss in the league cup; Llanrhystud have been on a bad run. Really, Llanrhystud should win, but Padarn's desperation may make them want the victory more, and I think they could edge it if they have the luck in this game.
Padarn 3-2 Llanrhystud
Talybont v. Bont
Bont bounced back with a big win over Llanrhystud, showing they are still capable of producing their excellent early season form. Victory here will confirm they are out of their slump, and I can see them getting the win.
Talybont 1-3 Bont.
Tregaron v. Bow Street
Indisputably the biggest game this week, perhaps the biggest game of the season. Looking at it, you would have to favour Tregaron, given their victory over Bow Street in the Emrys Morgan semi, but perhaps Bow Street will be anxious for revenge in this game. Whichever side wins will gain the upper hand in what is proving an interesting title race, but home advantage just swings it for me here, though not by much.
Tregaron 1-0 Bow Street.
Written by Lee Taylor from Aberystwyth.
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