Soccer round-up

11:41am Monday 14th April 2008

Costcutter Ceredigion Football League It is nail-biting time in the St Dogmaels and Maesglas camps as the championship race reaches boiling point.

With Saints on Bay Cup duty the Blues took advantage and closed within five points of their neighbours with a 1-0 win over Aberporth at Maes Radley.

Maesglas could make up further ground tomorrow (Wednesday) when Darren Williams and Co take on Cardigan Town in a game likely to attract a sizeable crowd at King George V Playing Field.

The Blues made hard work of staying in contention as the Airmen, who are fighting for their Division One lives, defended resolutely and very nearly sprang a last gasp equaliser.

There was a blow for Maesglas before the start when central defender and skipper Darren Williams failed to make an appearance for the second time this season.

In his absence Mathew Smith and second team regular David Kirk fitted in at the heart of the defence and both had big games as they snuffed out the threat posed by Mathew Newbold Jones until the final minute when the striker went close to salvaging a point for his side.

The game was marred by two players being sent off - referee Andy Evans showed the red card to Mathew Wilton of Aberporth for dissent and dismissed Dominic Williams of Maesglas for deliberate hand ball.

Although Maesglas dominated from the first whistle they became more and more frustrated as shots thumped the woodwork and others were cleared off the line.

The all-important goal came in the 73rd minute when Phil Furney released captain for the day Chris Hope' Jones who poked the ball past the advancing John Banks.

With the referee looking at his watch Mathew Newbold Jones must have thought he'd pulled the game out of the fire but goalkeeper Rhodri Jones produced a stunning save in turning the ball round an upright.

On the Bay Cup front St Dogmaels turned in a below par performance for the second week in succession as they defeated second division Felinfach 2-0 at the School Field.

But despite not being at their best Saints never looked like slipping up against the young visitors who managed just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Playing up the slope during the opening 45minutes the Teifi Estuary villagers went ahead when central defender Chris Thomas poked the ball home at a corner and the lead was doubled when Lee Burrows rifled a 25-yarder into the bottom corner of the net.

Division One high-flyers Aberaeron were given an early fright against Llanboidy of Division Two at Cae Dandre when the home side took an early lead.

Gareth Evans netted an equaliser for the visitors who had a great opportunity to take the lead when awarded a penalty for a handling offence but Steffan Griffiths blasted the spot kick over the crossbar.

Midfielder Louis Hunt netted from long range to nudge the Black and Ambers in front and Iestyn Thomas set up Gareth Evans for the third goal.

New Quay reached round two with a comfortable 4-0 win over Llanybydder at Parc Arthur. After a goalless opening 45minutes front-runner Bryn Evans fired the Seasiders ahead, co-striker Jonion Evans doubled the advantage, midfielder Jamie Thompson hit the third and a cracking goal by central midfielder Mathew Mousley made it plain sailing for his side.

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