FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

By Tivy-Side reporter

TWO Costcutter League Division One clubs who have hardly set the scene alight this season sensationally grabbed the limelight in two cup ties.

There have been a number of issues behind the scenes at St Dogmaels in recent times but there has also been a growing conviction that on their day the north Pembrokeshire villagers are more than capable of beating the best around.

This was evident in a quarter-final tie of the centrepiece Easter Monday League Cup competition as the Greens produced a superb all-round team performance in springing a 2-0 win over high-flying visitors Lampeter Town.

Another unfashionable outfit Dewi Stars did the league proud with a stunning performance in coming back from a seemingly hopeless situation to emerge 4-3 winners in deepest Powys against JT Hughes Montgomeryshire Amateur League Division One outfit Caersws Reserves.

After St Dogmaels turned it on at School Field delighted manager Steve Jerry Williams said: "It all came together today and if we continue to play in that way I don't think we have to be afraid of anyone."

It really was a first-rate showing from the homesters and at the final whistle Lampeter supporters conceded that their favourites had been outplayed virtually throughout the 90 minutes.

Although it was essentially a superb all-round team performance that saw Saints reach the semi-final and a clash with old adversaries Newcastle Emlyn, special mention should be made of defender Mindoga Simkevicius who effectively shackled Lampeter danger man Luke Lovell.

The Saints domination was such that goalkeeper Aarron Walters was a spectator for lengthy periods.

After Chris Morgan was brought down inside the penalty area just before half time Saints were awarded a penalty and Adam Williams blasted the spot kick into the roof of the net.

Despite controlling the tempo of the game, Justin Williams and colleagues did not get the clinching goal until the final quarter when Chris Jones fired home.

Dewi Stars, who included a crop of teenagers made their trek to take on Caersws Reserves but made the journey worthwhile by rising magnificently to the occasion and returning to Ceredigion with a 4-3 win under their belts.

The reward for the Llanddewi Brefi heroes is a home quarter-final clash with Berriew Reserves who went through without kicking a ball in anger after winners two seasons ago Cardigan Town failed to raise a team for the journey to the banks of the Montgomeryshire Canal.

A number of eyebrows were raised in league circles after the Magpies pulled out of tie after a pitch inspection in Powys on Saturday morning.

But it was all about Stars in Mid Wales after a truly memorable performance.

Striker Steffan Owens gave the visitors an early lead which was cancelled out after half an hour when Charlie Jallakke netted for the homesters.

Stars again took the lead when Liam Jones headed home but back came Caersws when Tomos Evans squared matters again.

When Craig Stephens nudged the Powys side ahead for the first time with barely eight minutes remaining that seemed to be that.

But the Ceredigion cup fighters would not concede and sprang two goals when midfielder William Williams fired home from the edge of area and a Williams cross was met by 18-year-old Ifan Thomas who found the bottom corner of the net.

In the same competition Division One leaders Llandysul were made to pull out the stops by neighbours Pencader of the Second Division, the 3-0 result rather flattering last season's beaten finalists.

The tie was switched from a waterlogged Pencader Parc but even with home advantage the Swallows could not stamp their authority on the game.

Afterwards Llandysul manager Chris Coco Davies was full of praise for Pencader when he said: "I have to concede that we were lucky. Pencader must be given a lot of praise for a superb performance. They had more chances than we did and I am relieved to get through."

Llandysul led by a solitary goal at the interval after a Ben Thomas effort was deflected past Chris Stevens and a second half strike by substitute Mathew Newbold and a Dean Jones volley saw the favourites prevail.

The Swallows are at home against Division One rivals Crannog in the quarter-final on February 11.

On the league front Crannog warmed up for the clash in the last eight with a 5-2 win over Felinfach at the Urdd Centre in Llangrannog where Gary Davies bagged a brace of goals, George Colven and Mathew Smith were also on target and a visiting defender put through his own goal.

Cilgerran Rovers won 6-1 at home against New Quay while bottom of the pile Bargod Rangers got a first win when coming out on top 3-1 against fellow strugglers Aberaeron Reserves at Parc Puw.