Ardal North East League – good starts for Rhos Aelwyd, Cefn Albion and Llangollen

ARDAL NORTH EAST LEAGUE REPORTS – AUGUST 5

Rhos Aelwyd 2 Builth Wells 1

New Rhos manager Gareth Jones began the league campaign with three hard-earned points from a game played in horrendous conditions with wind and rain.

A well-worked move found the Aelwyd one-up after 10 minutes when new signing Evan Woodall’s volley across goal deflected off Builth defender Ryan Powell into the back of the net.

Both teams went at each other in end-to-end game with plenty of big challenges going in. Just before the half James Rumsey earned his reward for pressing every ball when capitalising on a defensive mistake to round the keeper and finish into an empty net.

The second half was all about playing the conditions and seeing the game out in which the hosts did very well.

Scott Reeves rattled the crossbar from 25 yards with great free kick.

The visitors did pull a goal back with five minutes left through Joseph Wozencraft, but the home defence did what they did all game and held their own to see the game out.

Dolgellau AA 2 Cefn Albion 4

Many people’s title favourites Cefn Albion kicked off 2023-24 with a 4-2 triumph at Cae Marian.

In their first league game under new manager Neil Ashton, the visitors went two-up inside the first 15 minutes, Callum Mannion scoring both.

Alex Williams added a third on 36, but Dolgellau hit back with a Gerwyn Williams penalty before the interval.

Midway through the second half, Ryan Kehoe made it 4-1 to the Cefners and although Sion Hughes replied for the hosts, it was Albion’s day.

Llangollen Town 4 Llanfair United 2

Despite being pegged back to 2-2 after taking a two-goal lead, Llangollen found a second wind and went on to record a result everyone at Tower Field will be happy with.

Net-finders from Benjamin Wilson and James Samuels put the hosts in seeming command inside the opening 35 minutes, but early in the second half, Karl Seliaerts reduced the arrears and Matthew Spencer equalised just past the hour.

However, in the 66th minute, Kristian Jones put Town back in front and a late Jack Goulbourn penalty sealed it.

Llanrhaeadr YM 1 Bow Street 4

Last season’s high-flyers Bow Street made an impressive start to 2023-24, Rhys Hughes, Rhydian Davies (2, 1 pen) and Gwion Ap Dafydd sharing their goals at the Recreation Field, Llanrhaeadr responding in the first half but also having William France red-carded..

Llansantfraid Village 6 Llandrindod Wells 0

An incredible result for Llansanttfraid in their first tier-three game.

Scorers James Clewlow (3), Oscar Herd, Khyam Wyton and Liam Pickstock combined to hand Llandrindod a caning.

Penrhyncoch 6 Penycae 2

Relegated from the Cymru North, Penrhyncoch performed like a team determined to get back there as they whipped Penycae at Cae Baker.

Jonathan Evans starred with a four-goal haul, Tom Evans and Courtney Perkins adding singles.

Alex Rowlands and Austin Owen contributed consolations for the away side.

Radnor Valley 2 Llanuwchllyn 2

Not a bad start fpr promoted Radnor Valley – a draw against one of the strongest sides in the league.

Joey Price (penalty) and Lewis Morris, with an added-time equaliser, were on target for the hosts, Michael Pritchard and Paul Jones for the visitors.

Price also missed a spot-kick for the home team.