FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

WHAT a difference a week can make in football.

Just ask Costcutter League runaway leaders Llandysul who walloped Crannog to reach the semi-final of the J Emrys Morgan Cup but seven days later went down 1-0 against the same opponents in an Easter Monday League Cup quarter-final showdown on their own Llandysul Park stamping ground.

Remarkably it was the first time the Swallows had failed to score in 21 league and cup encounters and after a bad day at the office manager Chris 'Coco' Davies said: "I don't think we would have scored if we'd been there for a week."

But not taking anything away from the visitors, Davies said: "Fair play to them. They deserved to win and we wish them the best in defending the cup."

Llandysul were without inspirational midfielder Terry Maynard and attacking livespark Scott Thomas and they were sorely missed.

The game that never reached any heights was decided in the final quarter when prolific Crannog marksman George Colven, who was kept relatively quiet in the Emrys Morgan tie, was put through and slipped the ball past Jonathan Durbridge.

Some followers of Dewi Stars felt aggrieved after the J Emrys Morgan Cup quarter-final clash with Montgomeryshire Amateur League visitors Berriew Reserves was called off on Thursday.

Berriew contended that three weeks previously they requested their entitlement to a once a season blank weekend but despite not verifying the request, the league decided to grant it.

Several Stars fans were far from happy at the turn of events especially as the north Ceredigion club had a full squad to choose from but will be without four key players for the re-arranged tie this coming Saturday.

On the league front St Dogmaels must still be wondering how they threw away three points in a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Cardigan Town after dominating for lengthy periods.

After producing some attractive football and outplaying the visitors especially during the opening 45 minutes Saints will be hoping to get back to winning ways tomorrow when they clash with Newcastle Emlyn in a League Cup semi-final tie at Lampeter.

With slope advantage during the first half the Teifi Estuary villagers went ahead when Chris Jones cut in from the flank and fired past Carl Woodhouse.

Rhys Jones continued his scoring exploits with a second Saints goal and with more steadiness in the final third of the field the Greens could have put the issue beyond doubt.

To their credit the young visitors fought back strongly during the second period with Ewan Jones netting twice to square matters and when home goalkeeper Aarron Walters parried an effort Cardigan skipper Iestyn Evans tapped home the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.

Cardigan were indebted to veteran goalkeeper Carl Woodhouse who turned back the years with a superb performance including three stunning one-on-one stops.

Lampeter Town put themselves in pole position to take the runners-up spot behind champions-elect Llandysul by notching a 2-0 win over visitors Cilgerran Rovers at North Road. Scott Davies was the hero of the hour for the mid-county side with two well-taken goals.

A week after being held to an away goalless draw by relegation-threatened Aberaeron Reserves third in the table Newcastle Emlyn emerged 3-0 winners over the same opponents at Parc Emlyn and put themselves in the right frame of mind for their semi-final date tomorrow (Wednesday) with Saints.

Leading marksman peter Almond led the Emlyn assault with two goals and Robbie Jenkins was also on target.