FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Rising magnificently to the occasion Newcastle Emlyn did the Costcutter League proud with a thrilling 3-2 win over visitors Radnor Valley of the Spar Mid Wales League Division One to reach the last 16 of the Central Wales Cup.

It looked ominous for the Reds early on when Callum Mathews fired the Powys big guns ahead but Emlyn levelled within ten minutes through Dorian Davies who turned on the six-yard line and fired into the bottom corner of the net.

Valley regained the lead midway through the opening 45 minutes when Lewis Morris netted from the edge of the penalty area but again Emlyn responded positively and it was the scorer of their opening goal Davies who came up trumps again when cutting in from the left and firing a right-foot shot into the roof of the net.

There were chances at both ends during the second period and the one that counted went to the Teifisiders when defender Sam Hall blasted home from 20 yards.

The visitors had their central defender and skipper sent off after a foul on Jake Kelly while home midfielder Sam Skinner was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Afterwards delighted Emlyn manager Owain Thomas said: “The lads played really well and got what they deserved.”

Perhaps it was an inactive festive period that contributed to sluggishness on the part of Division One leaders and reigning champions St Dogmaels during the early stages against Felinfach in the Aeron Valley.

But despite trailing by a solitary goal at the break Jason Williams and team-mates shook off the cobwebs and reverted to their stylish brand of football to net five times without reply and emerge 5-1 winners.

A turning point was undoubtedly a substitution by boss Steve Jerry Williams who switched players about and brought on 16-year-old central midfielder Harvey Williams.

The introduction of the youngster was like a breath of fresh air as he dominated with a five-star performance that could alert clubs further up the line.

The Milkmen, who could muster only a bare 11 players, took the lead early on through Huw Davies and appeared capable of causing a major upset.

After a half time rollicking from boss Williams and an immensely shrewd substitution everything changed as Saints took over and could well have swamped their opponents under a goal avalanche.

With the Greens in virtual total control goals were struck by Rhys Jones who bagged a brace, Peter Almond, Adam Williams and the outstanding Harvey Williams.

Unbeaten neighbours Cardigan Town also turned on the style with a 4-0 win over full-of-fight Dewi Stars at Llanddewi Brefi.

After Stars had an effort rebound from the crossbar in the opening quarter the Magpies asserted and went ahead with a cracking strike by midfielder James Evans who unleashed an unstoppable 25-yarder.

The advantage was doubled before the interval at a corner taken by John Curran and met by John Lumb whose header was a bit special.

During the second period young striker Liam Doherty came out on top in a one-to-one situation and midfielder Ben Davies rounded off the scoring.

In the third league encounter Lampeter Town sprang a 2-0 win over visitors Llandysul at North Road where Robert Slawkowski and Christy Gale were the home marksmen.

Division Two newcomers Crymych are causing a few ripples with quality showings and the Preselimen sounded a further warning to rivals by reaching the semi-final of the Easter Monday League Cup after brushing aside Aberporth of Division One 6-0 at Tegryn.

For the superb north Pembrokeshire side Llifon Howell netted twice and the other marksmen were Sion Vaughan, Osian Wynne, Gethin Evans and Owain Richards.

In round one Llanboidy of Division One were far too strong for Second Division Maesglas at Maes Radley in Cardigan where the west Carmarthenshire visitors dominated for lengthy periods.

Central midfielder Chris Bowen led the way for the Cae Dandre side with a brilliant hat-trick, striker Ewan Jones got two goals and the other scorer was midfielder Celt Jones.