Novira Cymru South newcomers Pure Swansea continued their epic start to the season as Casey Coughlin’s hat-trick secured a 3-0 victory over Baglan Dragons at The Renewable Centre Stadium on Sunday.
Coughlin put the newly-promoted Swans ahead inside just 11 minutes as he slid in and steered the ball home from Dan Ingram’s cross.
Coughlin, who scored 29 goals in all competitions for the club last season, was in the right place at the right time again to score from Ingram’s delivery and double the advantage on 28 minutes.
The same combination worked yet again as Ingram crossed the ball into the box, allowing Coughlin to complete his hat-trick early in the second half with another composed finish.
Baglan had a chance to pull a goal back in stoppage-time, but their woes continued as Toby Jones fired over from the penalty spot. The Swans are now the early league leaders after consecutive 3-0 wins, following on from their victory at Llantwit Major on the opening weekend.
Pontypridd United staged a stunning comeback to triumph 3-2 against newly-promoted Pontardawe Town and continue their perfect start to the season at USW Sports Park on Friday.
17-year-old Jay Farrell-Alli put Pontardawe ahead with a clinical finish after meeting Liam Samuel’s through ball before Taylor Evans quickly doubled the visitors’ lead with his first goal in over a year.
Pontypridd halved the deficit before half-time through Clayton Farrah’s first goal for the club. The Dragons came flying out of the blocks in the second half and fully turned the game around as Ethan Edwards equalised in the 68th minute moments before Kofi Rowe also opened his Ponty account to complete a remarkable comeback and give Matt Driscoll’s side two wins from two matches.
Carmarthen Town also made it two wins from matches with a 2-1 victory away to Newport City on Saturday.
Carmarthen took the lead on 33 minutes as Luke Cummings’ strike deflected off Drew Heffernan and found its way beyond Alex Harris. Dion Phillips instantly doubled the advantage as he raced through on goal and sent a deft lob over Harris when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Newport substitute Adam Ward pulled a goal back for the hosts as he combined well with Tom Lynch before slotting home. Lynch almost equalised for the Steelmen late in the day, but his flicked header was denied by the crossbar.
Liam Griffiths scored a hat-trick as Afan Lido bounced back with an emphatic 5-0 win over Llantwit Major at The Kit Arena on Friday.
Both sides had their fair share of chances in the first half, but it was Griffiths who found the breakthrough with his first of the evening on the stroke of half-time. The Lido captain converted two penalties within the space of two minutes to complete his hat-trick shortly after the hour mark.
Further goals from Alex Giardelli and Brandon Roberts capped off the five-star performance as Lido claimed their biggest competitive win since March 2024.
Treowen Stars also returned to winning ways with a shock 2-1 victory over Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue on Saturday.
The contest remained goalless for over an hour, but the Stars were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute and captain Chris Davies stepped up to fire his side ahead. Summer signing Tom Hillman, who scored twice against Pontypridd on the opening weekend, continued his bright start to life in Treowen colours as he made it 2-0 late on.
Aberystwyth youngster Rhys Hughes tucked away the rebound from Calvin Smith’s saved free-kick to give the Seasiders a glimmer of hope in stoppage-time, but the Stars held on to claim a memorable victory and their first one of the season.
Scott Jones scored a late penalty to secure Ynyshir Albions a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw against Caerau Ely at Cwrt yr Ala Road on Friday.
Caerau opened the scoring nine minutes into the second half as Liam Bishop converted from the spot. However, Buns defender Jones cancelled Bishop’s opener out with a penalty of his own to rescue a point and maintain his side’s unbeaten start to the season.
Nothing could separate Llanelli Town and Trethomas Bluebirds in a 1-1 draw at Stebonheath on Friday.
Llanelli took the lead inside just two minutes through summer signing Calum Salter, but the Bluebirds salvaged a point thanks to Leon Jeanne’s strike shortly before the hour mark.
Novira Cymru South
Caerphilly Athletic earned their first ever Novira Cymru South point following a goalless draw with Cardiff Draconians at the CCB Centre on Friday.
The Dracs were reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time as Cole Mace was shown a straight red card for his dangerous challenge on Josh Jones.
However, Caerphilly were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage as both sides went home with a point apiece.
Weekend results in full:
Pontypridd United 3-2 Pontardawe Town
Afan Lido 5-0 Llantwit Major
Caerau Ely 1-1 Ynyshir Albions
Caerphilly Athletic 0-0 Cardiff Draconians
Llanelli Town 1-1 Trethomas Bluebirds
Aberystwyth Town 1-2 Treowen Stars
Newport City 1-2 Carmarthen Town
Baglan Dragons 0-3 Pure Swansea
