Cambrian United’s perfect start to the JD Cymru South season came to an end on Friday night as the league leaders fell to a late 2-1 defeat away at Newport City.
Cambrian made a fast start to the contest as Liam Eason took his tally to seven league goals for the season already by curling past Cohen Riella with just four minutes on the clock.
The Rhondda side held onto their lead for an hour, but Danny Hillman’s close range finish levelled the scoreline before Ashley Evans’ red card for a second bookable offence just two minutes later reduced Liam Williams’ side to 10 men.
Newport’s winner came in the 87th minute and it was a moment of magic from Kayne Mclaggon, who controlled a perfect cross from Cole Mace and produced a stunning overhead kick into the bottom corner.
Newport are now up to third in the table and one of just two sides still unbeaten in the JD Cymru South this season, alongside second-place Ammanford who won 3-2 at home against Caerau Ely on Friday.
The visitors took the effort after just 11 minutes thanks to Dan Griffiths’ low effort, but Dan John scored twice in the space of nine minutes – a deflected strike and a stunning first-time volley – to turn the game around in Ammanford’s favour.
John then turned provider on 52 minutes as his perfectly weighted through ball allowed Morgan Clarke to slot home his first goal of the season.
Caerau Ely substitute Jack Ashford converted from the penalty spot to give the visitors a lifeline late on, but Ammanford saw out the closing stages to seal all three points and end the Young Guns’ unbeaten start in the process.
Jack Jones starred as Pontypridd United claimed their first JD Cymru South win of the season with a 3-1 victory at home against Carmarthen Town, whose unbeaten start came to an end.
JD Cymru South
Carmarthen were denied by the crossbar twice in the opening 20 minutes, but it was the Dragons who took the lead in the 38th minute as Jones fired home his first goal for the club. The 22-year-old then doubled his and Ponty’s tally for the evening as he sent a sweetly struck free-kick beyond John Chesters in first half stoppage time.
Keyon Reffell halved the deficit for the Old Gold with his strike on 66 minutes, but Jones set up Sam Johnson as Pontypridd immediately restored their two-goal cushion. Carmarthen’s hopes of a comeback were dashed late on as Lewis Harling received a straight red card.
Llantwit Major also earned a first league win of the campaign as Karl Lewis’ side claimed a 2-1 victory at home against Trethomas Bluebirds on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Major opened the scoring just two minutes into the second period through Tom Lillico’s first goal since April 2023. However, that lead lasted just eight minutes as Brandon Griffiths marked his Bluebirds debut by providing the finishing touch from Travis James’ inviting cross.
Major’s winning moment came with 20 minutes left on the clock as Tom Walbeoff’s cross-turned-shot outwitted Elliot Jones.
Dan Bowen scored twice as Cardiff Draconians made it back-to-back league wins with a 3-1 triumph at home to Aberystwyth Town on Saturday.
Bowen put the Dracs ahead inside just six minutes as he received a threaded pass from Marinho Manga and fired into the far corner. The 21-year-old then scored his second of the afternoon eight minutes into the second half by sending a clinical volley beyond Reece Thompson.
Dylan Downs pulled a goal back for Aber shortly after the hour mark as he poked home in the midst of a goalmouth scramble, but Seasiders forward Star Mayemba was sent off just four minutes later for receiving two yellow cards in a matter of seconds – one for a foul, the other for dissent.
The Dracs took full advantage of having an extra man and restored their two-goal cushion on 77 minutes thanks to Harry Treharne’s second league goal of the season.
Cwmbran Celtic were agonisingly denied their first league win of the season as late goals from Gavin Meacham and Jak Lewis salvaged a 2-2 draw for Treowen Stars at Bush Park on Saturday.
Celtic seemed to be in firm control of the contest as Jac Evans and Isaac Powell both found the net to open up a two-goal lead at half time.
However, Simon Berry’s side collapsed in the second half. Within eight minutes of the restart, Powell missed a penalty and Fin Hayman was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
The Stars left it late, but Meechan halved the deficit in the 85th minute, before Lewis snatched a point in the third minute of stoppage time with his first goal for over a year.
Lewis Reed continued his bright start to the season as his brace earned Afan Lido a 2-1 comeback victory away at Ynyshir Albions on Saturday.
The two sides went into the break level as Reed’s smart lob over Harry Webber cancelled out Cory Morgan’s opener for the Buns.
However, it was Lido who grabbed the decisive goal in the second half as Reed met Dylan Williams’ cross and slotted home to give his side back-to-back wins over Ynyshir following their 1-0 triumph in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup just seven days ago.
Baglan Dragons and Trefelin shared the points in a tense 1-1 draw at Evans Bevans Playing Fields on Saturday.
The Dragons made a flying start as Nathan Logan intercepted the ball and set up Osian Williams inside the first minute.
Williams’ early strike proved the difference for over 70 minutes of the contest, but Jonathan Davies’ handball inside the area resulted in a penalty for Tref and a straight red card for the Dragons midfielder. Luke Bowen stepped up and made no mistake in converting the spot kick for the visitors.
Tref also found themselves a man down after Joseph Jones’ red card for a second bookable offence, but his departure did not change the outcome of the match as both sides took home a point apiece.
Weekend results in full:
Ammanford 3-2 Caerau Ely
Newport City 2-1 Cambrian United
Pontypridd United 3-1 Carmarthen Town
Baglan Dragons 1-1 Trefelin
Cardiff Draconians 3-1 Aberystwyth Town
Llantwit Major 2-1 Trethomas Bluebirds
Treowen Stars 2-2 Cwmbran Celtic
Ynyshir Albions 1-2 Afan Lido
