Ardal North East – Llanrhaeadr and Rhayader post shock wins, leaders Caersws hit six, Penycae are four-some

ARDAL NORTH EAST REPORTS – SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

Llanrhaeadr 4 Llanfair United 3

Vastly improving third-from-bottom Llanrhaeadr made it 10 points from a possible 12 with a fantastic comeback success over high-flyers Llanfair.

Unable to register a win in their first 13 league games, Mike Barton’s side have now been victorious three times on the bounce – and this latest triumph was the best of the lot as they recovered from 3-1 down to take the points.

The day started with a minute’s silence to remember the passing of former Llanrhaeadr man and current Llanfair United player Lee Andrew’s mother.

The hosts began well and on three minutes were ahead after good work from Dale Evans on the left led to captain Joe Vaughan opening the scoring.

Llanfair equalised on nine minutes with a Nyasha Mwamuka header from a corner.

The visitors scored their second with a carbon copy goal on 15 minutes through Thomas Gregory.

And it was 3-1 a minute later – an excellent finish from wide by Mwamuka.

Things were looking grim for Llan at this stage, but they battled their way back into the game.

On 32 minutes, Vaughan got his second. Then, after 43, minutes honours were even.

After good work down the left from the returning Andy Garmston, Barry Morris calmly finished to continue his rich vein of scoring.

Llan went in level at the half after debutant keeper Charley Parry made an excellent save.

HALF-TIME: 3-3

The second half was a tighter affair with Llanrhaeadr playing down the slope.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead on 52 minutes when Vaughan saw his shot saved from distance and debutant Tommy Williams poked in from close range only to see the assistant referee raise his flag for offside.

However, it was 4-3 to Barton’e heroes on 60 minutes after another shot from Vaughan was deflected past the keeper by Llanfair’s Nathan Hughes.

The game was now a tight affair with Llanfair forcing numerous corners, but the home defence stood firm and saw the match out for an excellent win.

Penycae 4 Llandrindod Wells 1

Hosts Penycae hauled themselves a couple of handy places up the Ardal North East table with an emphatic success over Llandrindod at The Riverside.

Zac Davies broke the deadlock when he struck for the light blues in the 37th minute.

It was not until the hour than Pen scored again, Drew Wickens doubling the advantage.

Danny Holland added a third after 80 and although Robert Nicholls pulled one back for Wells on 90, there was still time for Liam Sklenar to make it 4-1 with 92 on the clock.

Caersws 6 Builth Wells 0

In tricky conditions the Bluebirds played some fantastic stuff to stretch their lead at the summit to five points.

Norton Collins (2), Glyn Coney, Harry Cotton, Peter Rees and Ben Phillips shared the goals for the home side.

Rhayader Town 3 Bow Street 1

On a day of surprises in Ardal North East, second-bottom Rhayader upset the odds by beating Bow Street.

Grant Stamp, Ryan Addison and Sion Herman all found the net to clinch the points for the home side, Rhydian Davies having given Bow the lead with a 27th minute penalty.

The hosts could also afford a missed penalty from Joseph Wozencraft.