Caerphilly Athletic claimed their first ever Novira Cymru South win with a narrow 2-1 triumph over Ynyshir Albions at the CCB Centre on Saturday.
Strike partners Liam Reed and Drew Perrett both found the net to open up a two-goal lead for Caerphilly after 50 minutes played. Ynyshir substitute Jorrie Griffiths halved the deficit late on, but the hosts saw out the final few moments to earn a monumental three points.
Pure Swansea earned yet another statement victory in the Novira Cymru South as they stormed to a 5-1 win over Caerau Ely at Cwrt yr Ala Road on Friday.
Caerau took the lead with 17 minutes on the clock as Liam Bishop’s cross-turned-shot flew over Kane Draper and nestled into the bottom corner. Bishop’s fourth goal in as many games remained the difference up until the 57th minute, where the Swans equalised through Jordan Hughes’ looping header from Dan Ingram’s diagonal ball.
Pure Swansea’s talisman Casey Coughlin completed the turnaround 10 minutes later as he tapped the ball in from close range after Caerau goalkeeper Joe Baker spilled Ingram’s cross.
Jack Midwinter’s side then took firm control of the contest in the closing stages as Bradley Gibbings sent a sweetly struck effort into the net via the underside of the crossbar before he produced another clinical finish when one-on-one with Baker to make it four.
Caerau’s woes increased when defender Joe Woodiwiss was sent off for two quick yellow cards within the space of a minute. Kyle Copp wrapped up a convincing display from the visitors in stoppage time as he received Gibbings’ through ball and slotted beneath Baker. The Swans continue their stellar start to the season since their promotion to the second tier with maximum points so far, while a heavy defeat for Caerau led to Dean Wheeler’s departure as manager.
Pontypridd United also maintained their perfect record with a 2-1 victory over Trethomas Bluebirds at USW Sports Park on Saturday.
Pontypridd found the net twice inside the opening 21 minutes thanks to former Cymru U19 international Liam Angel and in-form striker Ethan Edwards, who scored against his former club to bag his fifth league goal of the season already.
Jay Thomas gave the Bluebirds a lifeline with his goal in the 85th minute, but Ponty survived that late scare to join Pure Swansea on 12 points at the top of the table.
Luke Gullick scored a hat-trick to help 10-man Cardiff Draconians secure a 4-2 victory over Llanelli Town at Lydstep Park on Saturday.
Carlos Indjai put the Dracs ahead with a towering header, but the defender was shown a straight red card on the half-hour mark. Llanelli made the numerical advantage count for a short period as Calum Salter equalised, but two quick goals from Gullick at the end of the half gave the hosts a healthy lead against the odds.
Gullick then completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute to give Nana Baah’s side breathing space. Nathan Crisan scored just two minutes after coming on as a substitute to pull a goal back for Llanelli, but the Dracs held on to claim three points for the first time this season.
Aberystwyth Town returned to winning ways in style with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Llantwit Major at Park Avenue on Saturday.
Gruff Sedgwick set up Aaron Williams and Tomos Evans, who both scored from close range to put Aberystwyth two goals to the good at the break.
Sedgwick grabbed his third assist of the afternoon as he went on a solo run and found Rhys Hughes, who scored for the third consecutive weekend with a clinical finish past Adam Caswell.
Connor Goldsworthy immediately pulled a goal back for Major with a deft lob over Luke Evans, but Liam Walsh’s strike from the edge of the area restored Aber’s three-goal cushion before Williams completed a fun afternoon for the Seasiders by finishing the rebound from his own saved effort. The result also marked the first time Aber have scored five goals in a competitive fixture at home since April 2022.
Treowen Stars moved up to third in the table with a stunning 4-2 victory away to Carmarthen Town, who suffered their first loss of the season at the LHP Stadium on Saturday.
Carmarthen captain Tyler Aylward scored for the second week in a row to give his side a narrow lead in the first half, but the Stars drew level on 65 minutes as Morgan Evans netted from close range in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.
There was a moment to savour for teenager Jaiden Foxwell, who scored his first ever Treowen goal to complete the turnaround by rounding Lee Idzi and tapping home. Lloyd Oliver then scored a quickfire double to put the game to bed as the substitute met Evans’ cross and guided his header beyond Idzi before he raced down the byline and slotted in from a tight angle.
Carmarthen’s 17-year-old summer signing Hari Jones, who scored 20 goals in the fourth tier for Lampeter Town last season, found the net for the first time Old Gold colours late on, but that only proved to be a consolation as the Stars won their third consecutive game.
Novira Cymru South
Baglan Dragons continued their bright start to the new campaign with an impressive 1-0 win away to Newport City on Friday.
Jonah Williams and Tyrell Kenton both went close for Newport in the first half, but it was Baglan who broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart as Alex Garland met Kieran Pason’s cross and sent a diving header into the bottom corner.
Andzejs Dubjaga nearly doubled the Dragons’ advantage late on, but his effort was cleared off the line at the last second. A strong defensive display ensured Carl Clement’s side took home all three points and kept their third consecutive clean sheet away from home.
Jack Pascoe scored the only goal as Afan Lido edged past newly-promoted Pontardawe Town with a 1-0 win at The Kit Arena on Friday.
Pontardawe had a great chance to take an early lead as Liam Samuel stood over a penalty, but his spot kick was saved well by Exauce Dimonekene.
Pascoe then scored his second goal of the season in the 64th minute to secure all three points for Lido, who kept back-to-back clean sheets on home turf for the first time in almost 18 months.
Weekend results in full:
Caerphilly Athletic 2-1 Ynyshir Albions
Aberystwyth Town 5-1 Llantwit Major
Carmarthen Town 2-4 Treowen Stars
Cardiff Draconians 4-2 Llanelli Town
Caerau Ely 1-5 Pure Swansea
Pontypridd United 2-1 Trethomas Bluebirds
Afan Lido 1-0 Pontardawe Town
Newport City 0-1 Baglan Dragons
