FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Firing on all cylinders from the start of the season, Cardigan Town of the Costcutter League could understandably be perceived as strong contenders for honours.

Three months into the campaign and the unbeaten Magpies are blessed with a talented and at this stage injury-free squad.

The latest to be vanquished by Alun Williams and colleagues were visitors Dewi Stars – brushed aside 9-2 at King George V Playing Field in round one of the Easter Monday League Cup.

Town are extremely fortunate in having the services of teenage striker Liam Doherty who last term plied his trade with Penrhyncoch in the Cymru Alliance.

Young raider Doherty is scoring goals for fun in the local league, the speedy front-runner increasing his tally by four as the Llanddewi Brefi visitors were outclassed.

The other goals came via midfielder Ben Davies – who returned to the fold after an absence and bagged a brace – Llion Williams, Joust Burki and an own goal.

To their credit inexperienced Stars stuck to their task and netted two cracking goals through Bryn Jones and Rhodri Morgan.

Holders Llandysul, who recently lost the services of manager Gwynfor Edwards to Carno of the Mid Wales League, were walloped 6-0 at Newcastle Emlyn where both sides were significantly understrength.

Without the services of prolific goal-getter Jake Kelly, who returns for the Emrys Morgan round three away tie against Crannog this weekend, the Reds switched defender Sam Hall to a striking role and he came up trumps with a hat-trick.

It was 3-0 and all over bar the shouting after 45 minutes as Hall, Corey Davies and Scott Lote-Williams found the net.

Davies and Hall (2) got second half goals

Aberporth reached the next stage after a 4-2 win against Bargod Rangers at Parc Puw where Mathew Smith (2), Liam James and James King netted for the Airmen with Gethin Rees and Robbie Jenkins replying for the Drefach/Felindre side.

Division One basement boys Ffostrasol belied their league position by making the long trek to Welshpool in Powys pay off with a 2-1 win over Waterloo Rovers Reserves of the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League in round two of the J Emrys Morgan Cup.

It was a tight contest at the end of 90 minutes but the visitors could and should have won comfortably after dominating for lengthy periods.

Wanderers led by two goals at the break thanks to left-sided midfielder Gwynfor Bowen and Steffan Lloyd Evans and although the Powys side halved the deficit midway through the second period the visitors held out and will meet holders Penparcau Reserves in round three at Troedyrhiw Park this weekend.

In a real thriller at the Urdd Centre in Llangrannog home striker George Colven was undoubtedly the star of the show as Crannog earned a home tie against former winners Newcastle Emlyn after emerging 4-3 winners against Llanrhaeadr Reserves.

It was 3-3 after 90 minutes with all the home goals coming via ace marksman Colven and the front-runner grabbed more glory in extra time by slotting home the clinching goal.

Winners five years ago Lampeter Town visit Division Two pacesetters New Quay in round three after the mid county battlers brushed aside visitors Newtown Wanderers 4-1 at North Road.

Despite a testing surface Town played some neat football and the final scoreline rather flattered the visitors from Powys.

Lampeter fell behind in the opening 15 minutes but deservedly drew level on the stroke of half time through Gareth Evans.

As the homesters got on top during the second period Gethin Hunter nudged them ahead in the 73rd minute, Scott Davies increased the advantage and Liam Jones netted the fourth in the dying moments.

The only club to win the tournament in successive seasons Maesglas went through without kicking a ball in anger after Maesyrhandir of Powys failed to fulfil the tie at Maes Radley in Cardigan. The Blues host Llandysul in the third round.