Cwmbran Celtic earned a priceless three points in the relegation battle with a 2-1 win over Caerau Ely at Cwrt yr Ala Road on Friday.
Celtic, who had lost their previous six matches, made the dream start after just two minutes when Alex McDowell latched onto Andy Larcombe’s through ball and calmly slotted past Exauce Dimonekene.
Simon Berry’s side also found the net early in the second half as Cole Doolan headed home from Tom Meechan’s corner for his third goal of the season – his last prior to this match also coming against the Young Guns in October.
Caerau Ely halved the deficit in the 84th minute through Brandon Griffiths, but they were unable to find a late equaliser as they lost on home turf for the first time since October. Celtic remain in the relegation zone but are now just two points adrift of safety.
Celtic’s win means that Taffs Well are now bottom of the table – four points adrift of safety – after their 2-0 defeat to Carmarthen Town at the LHP Stadium on Saturday.
Skipper Noah Daley put the hosts in front on 21 minutes with a neat finish, before Liam Reed volleyed home midway through the second half for his first Carmarthen goal. The Old Gold are now up to sixth after starting 2025 with back-to-back wins.
Trethomas Bluebirds returned to the top of the JD Cymru South table with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Newport City on Friday.
The Bluebirds wasted no time against their Gwent derby opponents as Kallum Thomas’ teasing corner sailed through a number of bodies and squirmed into the net after just 10 minutes played.
Gareth Tedstone doubled the advantage for the visitors on 38 minutes as he smartly tucked away a quick free-kick after Newport goalkeeper Cohen Riella handled the ball outside the area.
Josh Graham gave Newport a glimmer of hope just before the hour mark with his second league goal of the season, but the Bluebirds were able to see out the remainder of the match to make it three wins in a row.
Callum Thomas’ hat-trick inspired Ammanford to an emphatic 5-1 comeback win at home to 10-man Afan Lido on Saturday evening.
Cory Woods headed home Francesco Sofiu’s cross to give Lido the lead in the 22nd minute, but a straight red card for visiting goalkeeper Ben Haines shortly before half-time swung the momentum in Ammanford’s favour.
Lewis Reed equalised midway through the second half with a deft finish from Adam John’s corner, while Thomas – who had come off the bench at half-time – scored twice in seven minutes to make it 3-1 with a quarter of an hour remaining.
The hosts continued their rampant display in attack as Reed turned provider for Morgan Clarke to slot into an empty net on 81 minutes, before Thomas completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute with a calmly converted penalty.
Latest results in full:
Caerau Ely 1-2 Cwmbran Celtic
Newport City 1-2 Trethomas Bluebirds
Carmarthen Town 2-0 Taffs Well
Penrhiwceiber Rangers P-P Cambrian United
Ammanford 5-1 Afan Lido
