HIGHADMIT SOUTH

CEFN CRIBWR BC ........ 4 ABER VALLEY ............... 0

LEADERS Cefn Cribwr inched closer to promotion with a convincing victory over Aber Valley at the North Site in Betws, writes Tony Poole.

The Riders were especially keen to turn in a decent performance as Lesley Jenkins, mother of club playmaker Daniel, died on the morning of the match.

“The boys wanted a performance to dedicate to Lesley Jenkins – and it was achieved despite it being the business end of the season when points count more than displays,” said Cefn Cribwr chief Scott Dryden.

“Desire, hunger and solidarity were all on view from the boys.’’

Though it took Cefn time to get out of their territory when they did Jinxy went close ahead of a productive 10th-minute corner.

Though the ball was hoofed out of the box, Curtis Grant played it back in for powerful Gordon Watt to score.

And midway through the half, Watt was shocked to be dragged down in the box and Jinxy converted the spot kick.

His fourth penalty of the season moved him on to 17 goals for the campaign, and it was 2-0 at the turnaround.

Sharper secondhalf passing soon impacted and with the Riders going through the defensive line like a knife through butter, a third goal put the points to bed.

It stemmed from a Jordan Jeffreys cross and a fantastic Tom Harris header gave the Cefn skipper 19 goals for the season.

And the icing was then piped on the cake via a telling pass from big Ben Morgan with Curtis Grant glancing it into the bottom of the net.

This leaves Cefn with three matches, all at home, and on Saturday they face Penrhiwceiber Con Athletic at the Porthcawl Town ground in Lock’s Lane.

They then play Llantwit Fardre next Tuesday and a possible title decider against FC Cwmaman on May 12.

Though Llanelli Town have been crowned Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division One champions – and will play in the Welsh Premiership next term – Bont and the Bluebirds are contesting the runners-up spot. CELTIC Tyres Bridgend & District League champions Llangeinor are set to be one of six clubs involved in South Wales FA play-off matches this month, writes Tony Poole.

The SWFA are this week finalising things, but it seems as if three play-off games will be staged with the winners playing in Highadmit South Wales Alliance Division Two next winter.

Four other clubs are in

Bont have completed fixtures, and are now waiting to see if the Pembrokeshire giants will pip them for second spot.

But given the three remaining Haverfordwest games, the ball is now in their court as they only require four more points.

However, the big news on the circuit last week was made by the FAW granting champions Llanelli a Full Domestic Licence.

But equally massive was just twice this term – triumphing at Ely Rangers and Trethomas Bluebirds – this was another game that the Riverboaters could and should have won in a canter.

But poor refereeing for both teams, allied to extravagant finishing, led to them losing for a 14th time in 25 league starts and they remain eighth in the table.

Though star-stopper Matt Rees was called on to make an early save, it was Caerau who carved out Senior Cup semi-finals – still have a cup final against AFC Whitchurch to look forward to, the entire sting has gone out of the season for the Wasps.

Following a dreadful start to the season - Cornelly banked one point from seven games - they came with a midwinter rattle under new boss Ryan Blanche and were promotion outsiders.

But with a mid-table finish now staring them in the face, the under- the play-off draw – Hirwaun Sports (Aberdare League), AFC Rumney Juniors (Cardiff & District League), STM Sports Old Boys (Cardiff Combination) and Wattstown (Rhondda League).

However, things have yet to be settled in the Taff Ely/Rhymney Valley League with three clubs who have applied for promotion vying for the league crown.

In all probability the play-off matches will unfold on 3G pitches with defeat at Canton Liberal Club.

Despite missing a load of household names, including Brazilian import nimble Brimble; they opened the scoring with a nailed on penalty that Richie Lewis hammered home.

There was also a rare start for Emmerdale fall guy Jimmy King, but it was 1-1 at the break.

A dubious penalty then gave the capital city side the lead, and it wasn’t long before it became 3-1. them denying founder members Bangor City the important piece of paper, resulting in them being relegated to the Cymru Alliance.

So, it’s Llanelli and their Cymru Alliance counterparts Caernarfon Town up with bottom-placed Welsh Premiership club Prestatyn Town and Bangor City slipping down a tier.

This means Carmarthen Town live to fight another day in the Welsh Premiership, and like the previous the better chances.

But Scott South and Lewis Kingdon failed to hit the target, and they were punished in the 38th minute when Alex Jones set up Chris Vardon to send the home side in front.

Into the second half and ex-Penybont star Paul Evans went close on the hour, and he was equally close 10 minutes later.

But this time the ball was only scrambled away, and substitute Jack Page popped up to collect a strength Wasps lacked buzz for long periods.

Ceiber shaded the opening stages without seriously troubling goalkeeper Luke Jones, but once Cornelly settled they twice went close through attack leader Ryan Penny-Hughes.

But with half time approaching, goalkeeper Jones lost the ball well out of goal, and Dan Davies walked it into the net.

That was the only goal of the half and in the 54th minute Ceiber clipped the one game on a Friday night and the other two the day after.

Meanwhile, the Llan lads may have won the league title, but they’d dearly love to leave the Bridgend stage with two more pieces of silverware.

They booked a quarterfinal place in the Nathaniel Cars Open Cup against Maesteg Park tonight (Wednesday) with a 3-0 victory over Penybont Thirds at North Site in Betws.

And Llan fans saluted

But during the closing stages, Pencoed missed a load of goal-scoring chances that could have given them at least a point.

For the clash with Brecon, manager Mark Powell welcomed back captain and centre half Evan Price from suspension.

But with Marc Turner out for the season with a rib injury, Jordan Burrows went up top while colourful Sam Brown also returned.

But Brecon soon ran season with no club relegated back to the Welsh League, just two clubs will be relegated from Division One.

Ton Pentre and Caerau Ely look doomed in the top flight while the ripple effect will see just one club relegated out of the two lower divisions.

The situation at the bottom of Division Three is governed by just two clubs se to win promotion from the feeder leagues.

Penydarren BC are 13th goal of the season.

However, with the game drifting towards a 1-1 conclusion, lax defending then cost Caerau a point with substitute Rhys Williams nodding home an 81st-minute winner.

During the closing exchanges both golden boy Dale Price and Shaun James went close, but Treharris closed out the win.

This has left Caerau with five matches to play, four are at home, and next up is a rearranged fixture a week cross bar via an Anthony Davies free kick.

But when busy bee Callum Jones swapped wings for the Wasps his delightful run and pass set up Arran Jefferies to get a first Cornelly goal since departing Garw at the turn of the year.

His 63rd minute strike squared matters and soon after with Cornelly pressing hard, Penny twice clipped the woodwork.

And it was against the run of play when Ceiber went back in front in the hat-trick hero Liam Ward, who was once more in sizzling form.

Last Saturday they were on Celtic Tyres Premier Division Cup duties, and registered a 3-1 victory over visiting Red Valley.

Again key attacker Simon Lock opened the door to success with a goal brace while Corey Jenkins got their other goal.

So, the Llan season during the twilight stage of the season remains alive on three fronts – SWFA play- off travel stiffness with an opportunist Paul Keddle goal after big fish Mason Roach had his chips.

Soon after they won a free kick in a dangerous position that Gareth Aplin drilled home - and all of a sudden it was 2-0.

The Felindre Road boys then had a penalty shout refused after Richie Lewis went skywards and during the second period nimble Brimble made an emotional return to the ground.

Five straight corners champions-elect in Highadmit South Wales Alliance while two former Welsh League clubs - Abertillery Bluebirds and Albion Rovers – are vying for the Gwent County League title.

This time around the West Wales FA failed to produce a candidate, resulting in just two promoted clubs.

So, a season that will continue until late May still has plenty of meat left on the bone. tomorrow (Thursday) with leaders Swansea University.

Early indications suggest former Arsenal and England international Paul Merson will make a second club appearance.

However, before a second dose of Merse mania hits Caerau, the Sky television pundit has to overcome an injury problem.

Finally, last week’s postponed home game with Ynysygerwn is set to be the closing match of the season on May 19. 73rd minute with what turned out to be the winner.

With local referee Alan Gitsham playing advantage, Scott Bennett swept the ball into the box for Davies to easily score.

That was game, set and match Ceiber and late on they should have enhanced the lead when Mario Scacia went one-on-one with goalkeeper Luke Jones.

Cornelly go to Tonyrefail tonight (Wednesday), and on Saturday they are away to Cadoxton Barry. offs, Nathaniel Cars Open Cup and Celtic Tyres Premier Division Cup.

These are exciting times indeed at Llangeinor Park.

And Llan Seconds swept to a 6-2 victory over their Garw counterparts at a packed Blandy Park.

Though they only led 2-1 at the break, the savvier Llan lads lasted the pace much better, and the goals went against the names of Michael Smith, Liam Hughes, Brian Taylor, pop singer P J Proby, Ross Bradley and Cai Bray. failed to impact until Brimble turned to pace, and crossed for Lewis to get a 17th goal of the campaign.

Late on Lewis missed a good chance to tie the scores, as Pencoed were eventually condemned to an eighth league defeat.

Next up tomorrow night (Thursday) is a home game with Grange Albion; they march on Merthyr Saints this Saturday and host champions-elect Penydarren Boys Club next Tuesday.