Aberystwyth Town moved up to third in the Novira Cymru South table after Dillon Browne’s brace helped secure a convincing 4-0 victory over Llanelli Town at Park Avenue on Monday.
Neither goalkeeper was really tested for the majority of the first half, but the breakthrough eventually arrived two minutes before half time as Dan Owen jinxed the Llanelli defence and produced a powerful finish beyond Joe Massaro.
Llanelli hit the post within the opening minute of the second half, so Aberystwyth responded and doubled their lead close to the hour mark as Dillon Browne sent a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Owen and Tom Evans were both denied by the woodwork for the Seasiders within the space of four minutes, but a third goal soon arrived as substitute Richie Ricketts, who had only been on the pitch for a minute, slotted home on his first appearance this season.
Browne capped off a wonderful afternoon for Aber on 73 minutes by rounding Massaro and poking into an empty net to complete his brace as Craig Williams’ side moved to within a point of current top two Pure Swansea and Pontypridd United.
Ben Stait earned his first Novira Cymru South victory as new Caerau Ely manager as Josh Graham scored a late winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Treowen Stars at Cwrt yr Ala Road.
It was the worst possible start for Stait in his first home game in charge of Caerau as Treowen forward Isaac volleyed his side ahead inside the first minute.
Liam Bishop continued his epic form in front of goal for the Young Guns by equalising shortly before the hour mark, but the Stars edged back in front thanks to Lloyd Oliver’s curling effort into the top corner – his third goal in two games.
Dan Griffiths ensured Caerau would not be heading towards another shock defeat as he made it two apiece by turning home Zack Maher’s cross before Graham received George Sheppard’s pass, drove forward, cut inside past Callum Hodges and curled into the far corner to give Stait’s side a much needed three points.
Trethomas Bluebirds made it a bank holiday weekend to remember as they beat Carmarthen Town 3-2 at the LHP Stadium.
The Bluebirds travelled to Carmarthen after earning a 5-2 win over Afan Lido three days prior, and they continued to show their quality in front of goal as Jay Thomas put the visitors ahead with just four minutes on the clock.
Carmarthen forward Lewis Reed equalised with a low finish on 25 minutes, but the Old Gold were not level for long as Norton Ferreira added to his hat-trick from the win over Afan Lido by restoring the Bluebirds’ advantage. John Clarke gave Paul Evans’ side a healthy two-goal lead heading into half time with his finish seven minutes before the break.
Liam Thomas scored a late penalty for Carmarthen as the match entered the 93rd minute, but it was too late for the home side to have any real chance of completing a comeback. The Bluebirds rise into the top half with another impressive win, while Carmarthen remain winless from their last three matches.
Novira Cymru South
Caerphilly Athletic claimed back-to-back wins as Jordan Thomas’ second half strike sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Baglan Dragons.
Thomas scored the only goal of the contest in the 64th minute as he found the net for the first time competitively in 18 months to earn Caerphilly back-to-back wins.
Afan Lido and Ynyshir Albions both kept their third clean sheet of the season after both sides played out a goalless draw at The Kit Arena.
There may have been no goals throughout the 90 minutes, but there was still drama as Lido’s Sean Cronin was shown a straight red card before Ynyshir defender Dion Facey was also sent off after he received a second yellow card.
Lido were reduced to nine men in the closing stages as Callum Jones was also shown a straight red card, but the Buns could not make their numerical advantage as Lido kept their third consecutive home clean sheet, while Ynyshir kept their second consecutive clean sheet on the road.
Monday results in full:
Aberystwyth Town 4-0 Llanelli Town
Caerau Ely 3-2 Treowen Stars
Baglan Dragons 0-1 Caerphilly Athletic
Carmarthen Town 2-3 Trethomas Bluebirds
Afan Lido 0-0 Ynyshir Albions
