JD Cymru South leaders Trethomas Bluebirds returned to action for the first time in almost a month with a 3-0 home win over Carmarthen Town on Saturday.
The pressure was on the Bluebirds after title rivals Llanelli Town and Pontypridd United had both won on Boxing Day, but they were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Kallum Thomas’ third goal of the season and a powerful header from Callum Huggins.
Mark Dunford’s side held on to their lead throughout the second half before grabbing a third goal in stoppage time through substitute Jack Jones.
Second-place Llanelli Town remain two points behind the Bluebirds after their 2-0 win away at Carmarthenshire rivals Ammanford on Boxing Day.
The Reds wasted no time at the Rec as Danny Williams proved a simple close-range finish from Sean Cronin’s header back across goal after just 14 minutes played. The second goal arrived three minutes before half-time when Ethan Cann headed home from Joe Hunt’s corner.
No more goals arrived in the second half, although both sides struck the woodwork, but a stoppage time red card for Llanelli’s Joe Lloyd for a rash challenge on Luke Sylvester marred the end of proceedings.
Pontypridd United also remain two points off top spot in third place as they secured a 3-0 home win over Taffs Well on Boxing Day.
The Dragons took just four minutes to find an opener through Keston Davies, before Liam Eason added a second midway through the first half with his 15th league goal of the season – placing him out on his own at the top of the division’s scoring charts.
Captain Jarrad Wright wrapped up the game in the 88th minute to earn Ponty a fourth successive home win.
Trefelin earned derby day bragging rights as Joe Clarke’s late winner proved decisive in a 2-1 victory away to Baglan Dragons in Boxing Day’s early kick-off.
Artiom Legavec’s second league goal of the season put the Dragons ahead midway through the first half, but Clarke levelled the scoreline for Tref from the penalty spot seven minutes before the break.
A straight red card for Dragons forward Tom Randall in first half stoppage time made it an uphill battle for the hosts in the second period, but they looked to have earned a point until Clarke popped up with the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Afan Lido claimed their first league away win this season as Liam Thomas’ double inspired a 3-0 win over Goytre United at Glenhafod Park in Thursday’s late kick-off.
Thomas opened the scoring after just nine minutes as he headed home from Travis James’ teasing cross, before doubling the advantage in the 21st minute by firing in after Jon Hood’s free-kick was not dealt with by the hosts’ defence.
The sucker punch for Goytre came in second half stoppage time as defender Connor Smith turned Callum Leworthy’s corner into his own net. Victory for Lido takes them above Goytre into 12th and three points clear of the relegation zone.
Caerau Ely returned to winning ways in emphatic style Hywel Davies scored twice in a comfortable 4-0 away at Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Boxing Day.
Liam Bishop’s strike in the 22nd minute gave Dean Wheeler’s side a narrow advantage at the break, before they found breathing room 11 minutes into the second half through Brandon Griffiths’ first league goal since the start of November.
A brace from Davies in the final 20 minutes of the encounter ensured the three points, with the Young Guns now back up into the top half and unbeaten in their last four away games in all competitions.
Nothing could separate Llantwit Major and Cambrian United as they played out a 2-2 draw at a misty Windmill Ground on Boxing Day.
Cameron Keetch finished a neat team move to put Cambrian in front on 13 minutes, but Nathan Renfree squeezed the ball home from close range to equalise six minutes before half-time with his first league goal of the season.
Tom Tweedy put Major ahead early in the second half, but a late penalty from David Thomas salvaged a point for the visitors, who remain fifth in the table – one place above Major on goal difference.
10-man Newport City kept their first clean sheet away from home this season as Lathan Garrett’s second half header secured a 1-0 win over Cwmbran Celtic at Avondale Park on Saturday.
The Steelmen were on top in the game and hit the woodwork three times in the first half, but their chances of victory appeared to decrease after captain Luke Cooper was sent off 10 minutes into the second half – with manager Sam Houldsworth also dismissed for his protests.
However, they found a goal with 72 minutes on the clock when Garrett rose highest to meet Richard Noyes’ corner, securing back-to-back wins for Newport for the first time since September. It is a sixth consecutive defeat for Celtic, who remain bottom of the table.
Festive results in full:
Baglan Dragons 1-2 Trefelin
Llantwit Major 2-2 Cambrian United
Penrhiwceiber Rangers 0-4 Caerau Ely
Ammanford 0-2 Llanelli Town
Pontypridd United 3-0 Taffs Well
Goytre United 0-3 Afan Lido
Cwmbran Celtic 0-1 Newport City
Trethomas Bluebirds 3-0 Carmarthen Town
