The second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup took centre stage this weekend and, as usual, there were mixed fortunes for Spar Mid Wales League clubs.
In addition to Presteigne St Andrews’ exit from the competition, it was to prove the end of the road for our neighbours Knighton Town, although – to be fair – an away trip to the Spar League Division One leaders, Llanfair United was always likely to prove tricky – the home side won 3-1.
Welshpool Town are through – they won 3-2 at Tywyn Bryncrug, while Hay St Marys were in very good form as they put away visiting Barmouth and Dyffryn 5-0 at Forest Road.
Penrhycoch needed extra time before they came through 1-0 in their game at Berriew, while Carno also needed the extra half-hour before they came through 2-1 against Llansantffraid Village – the sides had been all square at 1-1 after the 90 minutes.
There were two matches in the Spar Mid Wales League, first division and Rhosgoch Rangers continued their fine start to life at the higher level with a 1-0 home win over Montgomery Town. This lifts Rhos to third in the table – four points off the pace, but Rangers have a game in hand on both Llanfair United and Carno who are above them.
The day’s other game at this level produced seven goals, with Machynlleth running out 4-3 winners at Four Crosses.
In the second division, the leaders Hay St Marys were on Welsh Cup duty, and it was Bont who took the greatest advantage – they beat visiting Penybont 3-1 to move to within three points of Hay.
Bont took advantage of Abermule’s 3-2 defeat at Borth United – a win that lifts Borth up to sixth in the table, while Churchstoke are up to fourth after a 2-1 home win over Builth Wells.
The second division’s big winners of the day were Dyffryn Banw who ran out comfortable 5-1 victors over visiting Talgarth Town.
In the Mid Wales League (South) Carno Reserves have taken over at the top after they won 2-1 at Knighton Town Reserves, after Hay St Marys Reserves’ 6-1 win at Presteigne Reserves on Friday evening had taken them top for a few hours at least.
Llanidloes Town Reserves lost ground after they went down 2-1 at home to Llandrindod Wells Reserves – they are third, one place above Radnor Valley who stay in touch after they were 2-1 winners at Builth Wells Reserves.
The big winners of the day were Sennybridge who thumped Talgarth Town Reserves 8-0 at the Riverside – this leaves Talgarth’s second string one goal better off in terms of their goal difference when compared to Presteigne Reserves, who are the only side below them in the table.
Newcastle were 3-2 winners at Rhayader Town Reserves – the defending champions’ fourth defeat of the season, but if was goals you wanted, then Brecon Northcote was the place to be – the home side went down 7-5 against St Harmon who picked up their second win of the season.
In terms of the Cymru Alliance, there was to be no joy for either of the Radnorshire clubs – Rhayader Town went down 1-0 at Peyncae, while Llandrindod Wells are still looking for their first point of the season after they lost 6-0 at home to Caernarfon Town.