FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Over the years Newcastle Emlyn Football Club has brought credit on the lower Teifi Valley with spells in the Welsh League and turning in first-rate performances.

The Reds are currently third in the Costcutter League behind leaders St Dogmaels and Cardigan Town and on the evidence of recent performances could be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.

It is an entirely different scenario this weekend when Radnor Valley of the Spar Mid Wales League come calling.

The Powys aristocrats, currently in the lower half of Division One, are firm favourites to overcome opponents who are two tiers below them in the Welsh pyramid. and go through to the next stage of the Central Wales Cup, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious competition in mid Wales football.

After a blank period over the festive season Emlyn are gearing up for Saturday’s cup tie with everyone in the squad reporting fit and rearing to go.

Looking forward to a tough test Emlyn player/manager Owain Thomas said: “We have been playing well but Saturday is a very big test.

“All the lads are looking forward to the game and it will be interesting to see how we perform against opponents from a higher league,” he said.

The big local derby between the league top two St Dogmaels and Cardigan Town was postponed due to the unplayable state of School Field and the Crannog versus Aberporth game was also called off.

Returning to the straight and narrow understrength Llandysul sprang a 3-0 away win over basement boys Ffostrasol at Troedyrhiw Park.

The Swallows were in front before the interval, the goal a well-rehearsed move at a corner when left-winger Daf Hazelby picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired into the top corner of the net.

Wanderers had their moments during both halves but were denied by a quite brilliant goalkeeping display by Dafydd Jones.

During the second half right-winger Niall Millband doubled his sides advantage and central midfielder Dan Sears wrapped up the points with a third goal.

Lampeter Town came out on top for the fourth time when emerging 3-1 winners over Felinfach at North Road.

Gethin Hunter, Jason Jones and Christy Gale were on target for Town with Owain Evans replying for the Milkmen.

Maesglas put themselves firmly in the Division Two promotion picture with a 7-2 win over Bargod Rangers at Parc Puw.

The Cardigan-based visitors Mathew Williams led the scoring with a well-taken hat-trick and the other marksmen were Rhodri George, Tom Gardner, John Midgley and John Williams with Rhydian Davies and Lyndon Robinson netting for Rangers.

Leaders New Quay suffered a setback when going down 5-4 at home against Aberaeron Reserves who moved into third.