Saturday 28 October
This week most league action was suspended as Round 2 of the Cwpan Ceredigion got underway. This competition, involving clubs from all across Ceredigion can therefore mean longer than normal away trips for teams from the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League. Bearing this in mind, I decided to travel with one of the teams from the Aberystwyth area to get a taste of what happens on these trips.
Llanilar offered me a spot on their minibus for their long journey to Aberporth, and I accepted. Feeling slightly worse for wear on Saturday morning, and seeing the poor weather, I almost changed my mind, but I duly turned up at the bus stop on the main street in Aber for noon and our journey began.
Having been informed by friends that Aberporth was "only half an hour away", I was expecting a shorter journey, therefore I was surprised when an hour went by with no signs of a stop. Eventually (after a good hour and 30 minutes) we arrived at Aberporth. The Sports and Social Club there is quite comfortable, and the Ospreys were playing on the TV. I debated whether to miss the football and settle for watching the rugby in the warmth.
Perhaps foolishly, I decided to go out into the intermittent drizzle and watch the game. My first thought upon seeing the pitch was that the slope was quite prominent; also the pitch was quite open, allowing the fairly strong wind to blast across. Fortunately, there was a convenient shelter for any fans (something yet to be installed at many other grounds).
Aberporth currently rank in a mid-table position in the Costcutter Ceredigion League, while Llanilar occupy the second from bottom spot in the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League. Ignoring any debate into the relative merits of the respective leagues (and there are some) the advantage therefore appeared to be with the home side.
Aberporth, playing down the slope in the first half, immediately set about proving this, as a corner after 5 minutes was headed into the Llanilar goal, with not one Llanilar defender rising to challenge, allowing the home side to take the lead.
Llanilar goalkeeper Nathan Bennett proved he has got over conceding a 30-yard goal last weekend, as he was in fine voice, blasting his defenders for their laxness. The rest of the first half was quite poor, as Aberporth attacked repeatedly, but some disappointing finishing and some desperate defending denied them. Llanilar had one good penalty shout turned down, a moment that prompted some debate between the Llanilar fans who had made the journey down and the Aberporth supporters on the sidelines.
The second half got underway much the same, as Aberporth scored early. Things therefore looked bleak for Llanilar, who were fielding a new 4-5-1 formation and didn't appear comfortable. Striker Richard Pugh in particular seemed to be lacking support.
Therefore it was something of a surprise when Llanilar scored two quick goals, both from Richard Pugh, to haul them into the match. The game all of a sudden became quite interesting as the 90 minutes moved closer, especially as Aberporth took the lead again, until Richard Pugh scored his hat-trick goal to send the game into extra time.
To be fair, I don't think extra time was wanted by either team, especially not the Aberporth player who, when the subject was mentioned on the sidelines, said "I hope it doesn't go into extra time, I've got work at 5".
Nevertheless, extra time was what we got, and Aberporth were put at a heavy disadvantage as, having used all their substitutes, one of their players had to leave the field due to injury. Llanilar, using this advantage to maximum effect, quickly gained the upper hand and proceeded to run away with the game courtesy of two more goals from Richard Pugh and a strike from substitute Martin Davies.
6-3 was therefore the final score, perhaps a slightly harsh result for Aberporth, who had looked the better side for much of the first half. All of the players then eventually drifted back to the club, and after an excellent meal in the club the return journey began.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the return journey took longer, considering most of the Llanilar players wanted to stop in every pub along the way. Most of the discussion centred around Richard Pugh's five goals, one Llanilar player (who will go unnamed) stated "it's the worst thing that could happen, we'll never hear the end of it". I was also congratulated on my report of the UWA/Llanilar game by keeper Nathan Bennett, who commented "thanks for saying that chip was from 30 yards, I thought it was 40 or more".
By the time the bus reached Aberaeron, spirits were quite high, though perhaps that should not come as a shock considering this was only Llanilar's second official win of the season. Following a long stop there the bus driver began to insist it was time for everyone to return to the bright lights of Aberystwyth.
In other Cwpan Ceredigion matches taking place in the Aberystwyth League area, Bow Street secured a win over a brave Aberdyfi side, Gerwyn Evans and Peter James getting the goals for the Magpies, John Horton getting Aberdyfi's reply.
League leaders Bont sustained a surprising 5-4 loss at home to Padarn, Paul Griffiths and Anthony Griffiths both getting a brace for Padarn, which coupled with a goal from David Jones was enough to see them through to Round 3. Bont's goals came via Warren Sedgewick (2), Trystan Jones and Michael Lowe.
<>Llanrhystud demolished Corris at home, their goals in the 9-1 rout coming through Clint Middleton (2), a Darren Davies hat-trick, Anthony Tedaldi (2), Dean Tinsley and Darren Thomas. Wyn Roberts got Corris' consolation.
Penrhycoch Reserves' season went from bad to worse, as Crannog, who are second bottom in the Ceredigion League, dumped the bottom side in Division One out of the cup. The game finished 0-0 after extra time, with Crannog winning 6-5 on penalties.
For information on all other games in the Cwpan Ceredigion, please see the report by Aled Davies on the Ceredigion League section on this site.
There was only one game in Division One, as Tregaron claimed top spot in the league with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over UWA Reserves. Rhydian Garner, Gethin Jones and Gareth Davies got the goals. Tregaron now lead Bont by a single point in Division One, both teams having played 9 games.
Division Two had a number of games, Tywyn/Bryncrug Reserves getting their season back on track with a 3-2 win at UWA Thirds, Machynlleth remained in third with a 2-2 draw at Llanon, Trawgoed moved into fifth with a 5-3 win at home to Talybont Reserves, Bow Street Reserves drew 1-1 with Penrhyncoch Thirds, and Llanilar Reserves gained a comfortable 3-0 win over Dolgellau Reserves.
This weekend sees just two games in Division Two, both at Blaendolau, as Aberystwyth Town Thirds take on Penparcau Reserves, while UWA Thirds play Dolgellau Reserves. Many of the other teams in the league are in Emrys Morgan Cup action, as that competition also reaches its second round phase.
Written by Lee Taylor from Aberystwyth. Lee Taylor's Match Reports Index...Fixtures...Division 1 Table... Division 2 Table...
