Briton Ferry Llansawel’s JD Cymru South title hopes were dealt a blow as they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Caerau Ely on Friday night.
Things appeared to be going smoothly for Ferry as Tom Walters netted twice inside the first 31 minutes, but Liam Bishop halved the deficit instantly after Walters’ second goal. The Caerau forward then netted again in the second half to equalise and extend his side’s unbeaten run to five matches.
Ferry still have a game in hand over league leaders Llanelli Town, but they are now five points adrift of Lee John’s side, who came from behind to beat Llantwit Major 2-1 at Stebonheath on Friday.
Rob Jones stunned the hosts as he scored directly from a corner to put Major ahead in the 17th minute, while Llanelli missed a glorious opportunity to draw level as Sean Cronin smashed a penalty against the post on the half hour mark.
The veteran defender made amends in first half stoppage time, as his looping header fell kindly to Jamie Baker, who tapped in the leveller.
The decisive moment then came in the 63rd minute as Ethan Cann, called up to the Cymru C squad for the first time two days earlier, sent a deft finish beyond the oncoming Jack Lansdown to secure a precious three points for the Reds.
Third-place Ammanford are also still in the hunt for the title following their narrow 1-0 away win over Abergavenny Town, whose relegation was confirmed as a result of defeat.
The Pennies put up a good fight in their bid to stay in the division, but their resistance was broken in the 66thminute as Adam John’s cross found an unmarked Lewis Reed, who headed past Josh Winstone for his 21stleague goal of the campaign.
Llantwit Major’s defeat at Llanelli allowed Pontardawe Town to leapfrog them and climb out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory away at Taffs Well.
Both goals were scored by Ryan Kostromin from the penalty spot in the first half, as Ponty secured their first win in seven matches. It was a third consecutive defeat for Taffs Well, who are now embroiled in the relegation battle too.
Cambrian & Clydach Vale leapfrogged Afan Lido into fifth place in the JD Cymru South with an impressive 5-2 win at Princess Margaret Way on Friday.
Lido defender Cai Owens cancelled out David Thomas’ penalty, but the away side edged back in front instantly through Liam Eason. Ioan Evans made things all square once again at the beginning of the second half, but Tim Parker scored a six-minute brace to give Vale daylight.
The Cam Army made it five as Parker turned provider for Cameron Keetch, who sent a superb finish into the back of the net via the post to sink Lido, who saw their manager Paul Evans sent off after the final whistle.
Abertillery Bluebirds suffered a setback in their fight for survival as they were beaten 4-0 at home by Goytre United on Saturday afternoon.
Teenager Connor Smith found the breakthrough in the 32nd minute, before Goyt captain doubled the advantage in first half stoppage time. Keane Watts and Ben Cripps then found the net in the first 20 minutes of the second half to seal the points. It means that the Bluebirds are 11 points adrift of safety with six matches remaining.
Tom Krauze rescued a late point for Trefelin as they drew 1-1 with fourth-place Carmarthen Town at Ynys Park on Friday.
Gavin Jones scored his first goal for the Old Gold to put the away side ahead just before the break, but Krauze popped up with a crucial equaliser for Trefelin in the 86th minute.
There was another late equaliser at Celtic Park on Saturday as Callum Hodges salvaged a 1-1 draw for Cwmbran Celtic against Baglan Dragons.
Paolo Marenghi joined the Dragons in January and he scored his first goal for the club seven minutes before half-time, which looked to be enough to earn his side the three points until Hodges buried a shot past Mathew Stanton in the 93rd minute.
JD Cymru South results
Abergavenny Town 0-1 Ammanford
Afan Lido 2-5 Cambrian & Clydach Vale
Caerau Ely 2-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Llanelli Town 2-1 Llantwit Major
Taffs Well 0-2 Pontardawe Town
Trefelin 1-1 Carmarthen Town
Abertillery Bluebirds 0-4 Goytre United
Cwmbran Celtic 1-1 Baglan Dragons
