JD Cymru South leaders Cambrian United maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table after Liam Eason’s stoppage time penalty sealed a 1-0 home win over Pontypridd United on New Year’s Day.
Ponty were on course for back-to-back clean sheets away from home for the first time in over a year, until Cambrian were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute and Liam Angel was shown a second yellow card for the foul.
Eason stepped up from the spot and made no mistake, slotting past Cameron Clarke for his 15th league goal of the season. Cambrian are now unbeaten in their last eight league matches, while Ponty remain in 12th-place.
Second-place Trefelin secured a sixth consecutive league win as Tyler Brock’s brace secured a 2-0 victory away at local rivals Afan Lido on Tuesday.
Brock produced a clinical finish to put Trefelin ahead inside just 13 minutes as he coolly slotted beneath the legs of Ben Haines. Lido thought they had equalised shortly before half-time after bundling the ball over the line, but a handball in the build-up meant the goal was disallowed.
Lido defender Johden De Meyer saw his header cleared off the line 10 minutes into the second half, but straight up the other end, Brock doubled his and Tref’s tally as he tucked away the rebound after seeing his initial effort saved.
Lido’s hopes of a comeback were all but ended when Brad Flay was shown a straight red card on 74 minutes, with Trefelin seeing out the remainder of the match to earn their ninth consecutive league clean sheet. Andy Hill’s side remain eight points behind leaders Cambrian United, but have three games in hand.
Third-place Ammanford made it three consecutive victories and clean sheets as they triumphed 2-0 at home over Ynyshir Albions on Saturday.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when good work from Dan John down the right saw the teenager deliver a cross for Gavin Jones to finish from close range.
John found the net himself to secure the three points just before the hour mark, capitalising on an Ynyshir mistake at the back to round goalkeeper Harry Webber and tap into the empty net.
Tom McLean scored two penalties as promotion-chasing Caerau Ely returned to winning ways with a dramatic 2-1 victory over local rivals Cardiff Draconians at Cwrt yr Ala Road on Friday.
McLean converted his first penalty two minutes before the break after Oscar Raisbeck fouled Ollie Redhead inside the area. However, the visitors were level with 10 minutes to play as Dan Bowen fired home his spot-kick, sending Exauce Dimonekene, who conceded the penalty, the wrong way in the process.
Dracs goalkeeper Harry Johnson made key saves to keep the scoreline level, but the Young Guns were awarded another penalty in stoppage time, with McLean showing nerves of steel to score from the spot once again and complete the derby double for Dean Wheeler’s side – who are four points behind the top three with a game in hand.
Treowen Stars earned a fourth straight league victory with a 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Cwmbran Celtic at Avondale Park on Friday.
Celtic made a bright start to the contest, but it was the Stars who took the lead in the 26th minute when captain Tommy James prodded home from Gavin Meacham’s corner for his first league goal of the campaign.
Treowen substitute Macsen Evans made an instant impact for the away side by doubling the lead just three minutes after his introduction on the hour mark. Josh Gibson halved the deficit for Celtic with five minutes remaining, but the Stars held on to claim all three points.
Aberystwyth Town climbed up to fifth place with a point in a 1-1 draw against Carmarthen Town at Park Avenue on New Year’s Day.
Carmarthen made the dream start in mid-Wales as Luke Cummings sent a clinical low volley into the far corner after just six minutes played. However, a moment of magic from Calvin Smith brought Aberystwyth level seven minutes into the second half as he drove forward and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner from distance.
Both sides were denied by the woodwork after Carmarthen’s Jaime Rickard clipped the crossbar before Aber forward Rackeem Reid struck the post with a header from Zac Hartley’s cross. Zach McKenzie went extremely close to a late winner for the Seasiders, but his header was cleared off the line as both sides went home with a point apiece.
JD Cymru South
Llantwit Major and Baglan Dragons shared the points for the second time this season as they played out a goalless draw at the UWL Stadium on Saturday.
It was a game of few chances, with Ioan Emanuel coming closest for Llantwit with a free-kick before Baglan almost snatched victory late on with a number of opportunities.
Weekend results in full:
Afan Lido 0-2 Trefelin
Cambrian United 1-0 Pontypridd United
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Carmarthen Town
Caerau Ely 2-1 Cardiff Draconians
Cwmbran Celtic 1-2 Treowen Stars
Trethomas Bluebirds P-P Newport City
Ammanford 2-0 Ynyshir Albions
Llantwit Major 0-0 Baglan Dragons
