Briton Ferry Llansawel leapfrogged Llanelli Town and moved two points clear at the top of the JD Cymru South table after a crucial 3-2 victory over Cwmbran Celtic, with Llanelli failing to defeat Cambrian and Clydach Vale to maintain top spot.
Luke Bowen starred once again for Ferry as his 15th goal in his 14 league games opened the floodgates at Old Road. Celtic’s star striker Alex Bonthron equalised in the 18th minute, but the hosts were instantly back in front through Connor Goldsworthy.
Luis Bates received a red card for Ferry on the half hour mark, but even with a man down, Andy Dyer’s side still managed to find a way through the visitors’ defence as Tyler Brock opened up a two-goal lead.
Substitute Josh Rippon pulled a goal back for Celtic, but it was too little too late as Ferry clinched all three points on home soil.
Their position at the summit was confirmed when Lee John’s Llanelli Town failed to defeat Cambrian & Clydach Vale away from home.
The Cam Army were rewarded for their bright start as Jay Woodford put them ahead in the 16th minute. However, Kyle Jones’ red card on the half hour mark meant the home side would have to play the remainder of the match with ten players.
It was a gutsy performance from the Rhondda side, but their resistance was broken late on as Louis Gerrard rescued a point for The Reds in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Carmarthen Town moved up to third in the table with a comfortable 2-0 victory away at bottom side Abergavenny Town as Trystan Jones and Will Rickard got their names on the scoresheet.
Although it was a much more spirited performance from the struggling hosts, the Old Gold just had the extra edge as Jones danced through a number of defenders to slot home into the bottom corner in the 16th minute.
Rickard then doubled the lead shortly before the half hour mark by heading home from Jordan Langley’s cross, and Carmarthen held on for all three points to reach a four-game unbeaten streak in the Cymru South.
The victory sees Mark Aizlewood’s side overtake Afan Lido, who let a two goal lead slip against Taffs Well as both sides shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Princess Margaret Way.
Liam McCreesh found the net twice for Lido at the beginning of each half, but they were unable to hold onto their two goal lead as Harry Treharne and Vaughn Fowler completed a dramatic comeback for the Wellmen to come away with a point.
Caerau Ely returned to winning ways in emphatic style by thrashing Abertillery Bluebirds 6-1 at Cwrt yr Ala Road.
Jack Ashford’s penalty was cancelled out by Rhys Thomas’ finish early on, but goals from Dan Bowen and Clayton Farrah restored the Young Guns’ lead and gave them a two goal cushion at the interval.
The home side maintained the same momentum as they did in the first half as Ashford and Farrah both completed their braces either side of substitute Brandon Griffiths’ strike.
The evening got even worse for the Bluebirds when Tom Rees was shown two yellow cards in the same minute late on, meaning he will miss a crucial clash at the bottom of the table with Abergavenny Town.
Pontardawe Town scored twice In the final half hour as they completed a comeback to defeat Llantwit Major 3-2 at Parc Ynysderw.
Tyler Aylward’s spot kick was cancelled out by Tom Tweedy’s cool finish in a level first half before the Major began the second period in the same way they finished the first by finding the back of the net as Tweedy set up Joel Woodington to make it 2-1.
However, the away side were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Sam Goodwin was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the area. Aylward then completed his double by firing home from the resulting free kick.
Ponty finally got the goal to edge back in front as Aylward’s corner was steered home by Rio Booth in the 83rdminute to earn a first home league win of the season for Garry Taylor’s side.
There were no goalscoring heroics from Baglan Dragons goalkeeper Mathew Stanton this weekend as Carl Clement’s side lost 3-2 away to Goytre United.
Goytre stormed into a three goal lead thanks to goals from Cameron Harris, Keane Watts and an own-goal from Dragons captain Lewis Holmes.
The visitors fought back in the final ten minutes with Tom Davies netting a brace, but Goytre were able to hold onto their lead to continue their recent resurgence.
Ammanford had to settle for a point on home turf for the second week in succession as they drew 1-1 with Trefelin at the Rec.
Teenage striker Jack Bevan opened the scoring in the 16th minute for the visitors, but Ammanford’s top scorer Lewis Reed netted his 12th goal of the campaign to bring them level early in the second period.
JD Cymru South results
Abergavenny Town 0-2 Carmarthen Town
Afan Lido 2-2 Taffs Well
Ammanford 1-1 Trefelin
Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-2 Cwmbran Celtic
Caerau Ely 6-1 Abertillery Bluebirds
Cambrian & Clydach Vale 1-1 Llanelli Town
Goytre United 3-2 Baglan Dragons
Pontardawe Town 3-2 Llantwit Major
