Pontardawe Town were the standout performers in the Novira Cymru South as Josh Dorward’s first half hat-trick inspired a rampant 6-1 victory over Treowen Stars at Parc Ynysderw on Saturday.
Both sides made a fast start as Dorward’s first ever Novira Cymru South goal was cancelled out by Tom Gameson’s strike inside just eight minutes.
However, Dorward produced a sublime lob over Shaun Gardiner to quickly restore the home side’s lead before the Pontardawe skipper completed his hat-trick in the 28th minute with another clinical effort.
Jesse Meacock added a fourth goal for Ponty with a neat finish of his own and Jake Barrow immediately made it five as he tucked away the rebound from Meacock’s saved shot.
Meacock was involved once again for Ponty’s sixth goal, which arrived just six minutes into the second half, as his corner was not cleared by the Stars, allowing fellow 17-year-old Jenson Stone to score his first goal of the season. Ponty remain in the bottom three, but will be delighted to have ended their five-match losing streak in the league.
Llantwit Major claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Llanelli Town at the UWL Stadium on Saturday.
Major had a goal ruled out early in the first half, but two quickfire finishes from experienced striker Adam Roscrow put the hosts in a commanding position at half time.
Llanelli improved in the second half, but could not find a way past Aaron Jones to complete a comeback. Major now leapfrog Llanelli, who drop to the bottom of the table and remain the only side in the Novira Cymru South without a win.
Caerau Ely earned derby day bragging rights as Lewis Harling’s brace helped secure a 3-1 victory over local rivals Cardiff Draconians at the Orange Llama Stadium on Saturday.
Harling put Caerau ahead inside just three minutes as he slotted past Harry Johnson when one-on-one with the Dracs goalkeeper. Liam Bishop had a great chance to double the lead six minutes later when he stood over a penalty, but Johnson guessed correctly to deny Bishop from the spot. The Dracs then came agonisingly close to an equaliser shortly before half time as Sam Cawley’s effort struck the post.
Bishop redeemed himself for his missed penalty as the forward set up Caerau’s second goal moments into the second half by cutting the ball back to Harling, who was left with a simple first-time finish to bag his brace.
The Young Guns put the result beyond doubt late in the day as substitute Jaden Bahumaid received Zack Maher’s pass, took on Jacob Benford and sent a low drive into the far corner for his second goal in as many games.
The Dracs grabbed a consolation goal through Cawley’s calmly converted penalty in stoppage time, but their afternoon became even more frustrating when defender Carlos Indjai was sent off for a second bookable offence. Caerau are now up to fifth in the table after winning their third game in a row.
The points were shared in a top-of-the-table clash between second-place Aberystwyth Town and leaders Pure Swansea as both sides played out a goalless draw at Park Avenue.
Aaron Williams, Rhys Hughes and Leo Thompson all went close for Aberystwyth in the first half, while Pure Swansea forward Kyle Copp saw his volley flash past the post.
Aber defender Sam Paddock came even closer to the breakthrough early in the second half as his header from Thompson’s cross crashed off the post. Neither team could find a winning goal in the tense closing stages, meaning the Swans remain a point clear at the top of the table and maintain their unbeaten start. Aberystwyth have now kept three consecutive clean sheets on home turf.
Dropped points for the top two allowed third-place Pontypridd United to narrow the gap at the higher end of the table as the Dragons triumphed 2-1 away to Caerphilly Athletic at the CCB Centre on Friday.
Pontypridd wasted no time and took the lead inside just 12 minutes as Josh Stephens ran onto a loose ball and curled clinically into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Jack Bevan quickly doubled the advantage as he leaped between Regan Robinson and Jac Evans to meet Jack Jones’ cross and head past Ben Haines.
Finley Skiverton’s deft lob over Ed King gave Caerphilly a lifeline shortly before half time, but Ponty saw out the second half to bounce back with a hard-fought victory on the road.
Carmarthen Town claimed their first league in over a month as they came from behind to beat Baglan Dragons 2-1 at Evans Bevans Playing Fields on Friday.
Novira Cymru South
Carmarthen found a crucial breakthrough in first half stoppage time through Lewis Reed’s powerful finish from inside the area – his fourth goal in as many games in all competitions. Reed then set up strike partner Liam Thomas, who doubled the advantage six minutes into the second half.
The Dragons quickly pulled a goal back through Toby Jones, who scored against his former club. However, Carmarthen held on to take home all three points and move up to fourth in the table.
Ynyshir Albions and Trethomas Bluebirds both extended their unbeaten streaks in the Novira Cymru South to four matches as both sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Ynyshir Oval on Saturday.
Ynyshir took the lead inside just four minutes through Dion Facey’s second goal of the season, but the Bluebirds were instantly level as Portuguese forward Norton Ferreira scored from the penalty spot to net his sixth goal in his last four league games.
Neither side could find a winning goal in the remaining 80 minutes of the match, meaning the points were shared.
Nothing could separate Afan Lido and Newport City in a goalless draw at The Kit Arena on Friday.
Both teams were convincing winners in the FAW Welsh Cup last weekend, but this time found it difficult to find the net as Lido kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet on home turf, while the Steelmen remain unbeaten on the road.
Weekend results in full:
Aberystwyth Town 0-0 Pure Swansea
Caerphilly Athletic 1-2 Pontypridd United
Afan Lido 0-0 Newport City
Baglan Dragons 1-2 Carmarthen Town
Llantwit Major 2-0 Llanelli Town
Pontardawe Town 6-1 Treowen Stars
Ynyshir Albions 1-1 Trethomas Bluebirds
Cardiff Draconians 1-3 Caerau Ely
