THE Costcutter League Division One title race has become a procession and taken on a look of inevitability after champions-elect Llandysul soared 12 points clear of their rivals.

The Swallows with 13 wins and a draw under their belts have eight games outstanding, six of those at home versus bottom of the pile Bargod Rangers, relegation-haunted Aberaeron Reserves, St Dogmaels, Dewi Stars, second-placed Newcastle Emlyn and New Quay. The away schedule for Chris 'Coco' Davies' charges feature Cilgerran Rovers and Cardigan Town.

As the Teifisiders completed a league double over visitors Crannog with a 5-2 win, third-placed Lampeter Town, who held the Swallows to a draw on Boxing Day, had their hopes of lifting the title for the first time since season 2008-09 severely dented when crashing 5-1 against reigning champions Cardigan Town.

The old cliché 'a game of two halves' was never more apt than at Llandysul Park where Crannog ran the high-flyers ragged for the first 20 minutes and the two goals they sprang was no more than their efforts deserved as George Colven and Gary Davies caused problems galore.

Colven and Rhydian Roberts were on target for the coastal villagers who could have been five goals clear before the break but were denied by the heroics of goalkeeper Jonathan Durbridge and had their advantage halved by Adrian Hazzelby.

After a half-time team talk the homesters were transformed during the second period as they controlled the game in midfield where Terry Maynard and Ian Barrett were outstanding.

Hazzelby went on to complete a hat-trick, Lewis Jones was also on target and a visiting defender put through his own goal.

After a quality performance against Llandysul it was understandable that hopes were high in the Lampeter camp for the visit to King George V Playing Field, but in the event the visitors were outplayed virtually throughout by a Cardigan outfit oozing class and confidence and playing some of the best football seen at the ground since the Magpies lifted five trophies two seasons ago.

A late addition to the Cardigan side striker John Lumb was a constant threat and he helped himself to a couple of goals.

But it was a superb all-round team showing that carried the day with a number of youngsters, including diminutive right back Sam Everton showing their obvious potential.

In addition to Lumb's brace, skipper Iestyn Evans, impressive Ewan Jones and Joost Burki were also on the scoresheet for Cardigan while Jason Jones replied for Lampeter.

Basement boys Bargod Rangers and St Dogmaels shared two goals after the first 45 minutes at Parc Puw but the Teifi

Estuary villagers raised the tempo during the second period and netted a further eight without reply.

Marcus Dean, Adam Williams and Rhys Jones all netted twice for Saints with Craig Williams, Chris Morgan and John Midgely the other marksmen while Luke Grant and Steff Evans replied for Rangers.

Dewi Stars improved their league standing with a hard-earned 3-2 win over Cilgerran Rovers at Parc Y-Dre where Marc Jones, Steffan Owens and Deian Williams netted for the north Ceredigion outfit with Dan Bellis and Dan Phillips on target for the Coraclemen.

Proceedings were brought to a half after 20 minutes of the game between Aberaeron Reserves and Newcastle Emlyn at Square Field after Emlyn midfielder John Curran suffered a serious knee injury.

Following a lengthy delay an ambulance first responder unit arrived and after treatment on the scene the player was conveyed to hospital.

After consulting both teams the referee decided to abandon the game as it would not have been completed before the onset of darkness.

Curran, who has also had spells with Cardigan Town and St Dogmaels, was released from hospital on Saturday evening and was to undergo further treatment this week. Everyone connected with the sport will join in wishing the popular player a speedy recovery.