Ardal North East & Ardal North Cup – battle of top two goes Penrhyncoch’s way, nap for Albion

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST

Penrhyncoch 4-1 Radnor Valley

Report and pictures: Stuart Townsend, Barcud-Coch Photography

The battle of the top two in Ardal North East saw Penrhyncoch leapfrog previous leaders Radnor Valley following a 4-1 victory at Cae Baker.

The Roosters broke the deadlock when the visitors failed to clear a second minute corner and the experienced Geoff Kellaway was on hand to sweep home the ball.

Penrhyncoch doubled the lead after 19 minutes when Daniel Evans picked up the ball from a throw-in for the hosts before driving infield and firing a rocket from over 25 yards into the top corner of Otto Jones’ goal.

The hosts netted a third goal when Dion Phillips latched on to a well-timed through ball from Kellaway before composing himself to slide past Jones nine minutes before the interval.

The Goats handed themselves some hope when Joey Price converted a 62nd minute penalty after being brought down whilst on a surging run.

However, the Roosters regained their three-goal buffer 13 minutes later when Christy Gale’s shot took a deflection and looped over the head of Jones.

The visitors suffered a further blow two minutes later, when Matt Croose was shown a red card for pulling back an opponent through on goal..

Llanfair United 2-1 Rhos Aelwyd

A match which featured three sendings off saw Llanfair come from behind to take the points at Mount Field.

Ian Hughes handed Aelwyd the lead after just eight minutes and it stayed 1-0 to the visitors up to half time.

The game turned just past the hour when Kyle Capner levelled for Llanfair and William Davies made it 2-1 just four minutes later.

In the 83rd minute Rhos player Tom Smith was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Two more received their marching orders with 87 on the clock – Toby Roberts of Llanfair and Aelwyd;s Evan Woodall both shown straight reds.

Llanuwchllyn 3-1 Penycae

Callum Smith’s 31st minute goal gave Penycae an interval lead, but the match turned on its head in the second half.

Llanuwchllyn goal machine Meilir Williams netted on 62 and 82 to reach 24 for the season, while Sam Evans also found the target after 69

Welshpool Town 0-5 Cefn Albion

Albion started 2024 on a positive note with a five-goal triumph at Maesydre.

Jordan Williams (2), Kien Morris and Josh Astley (2) shared the goals for the visitors, who were just one-up at half time against the bottom side.

ARDAL NORTH LEAGUE CUP

Llandrindod Wells 2-2 Bow Street
(Bow won 5-4 on penalties)

All four goals scored in the match itself came inside the first 35 minutes at The Broadway.

Liam Hall netted in the opening minute for Llandrindod, Iolo Ap Dafydd equalised on four, Richard Powell restored the home lead after 16, but Garmon Nutting made it all-square with 35 gone.

No further goals so it came down to spot-kicks and Bow edged it 5-4.

Llanrwst United 1-1 Flint Mountain
(Mountain won 5-3 on penalties)

Llanrwst grabbed a 97th minute equaliser to force a penalty shoot-out only to end up heartbroken when Mountain prevailed on spot-kicks.

The tie was a long-time goalless before Sam Henry nudged Aden Shannon’s side in front in the 85th minute.

Deep into added time, Conor Davies converted a penalty for Llanrwst to ensure the match would be decided on which side was more clinical from 12 yards.

John Danby produced a vital save for Mountain in the pens contest and Henry put away the decisive kick in a 5-3 verdict.