Goals aplenty as STM rack up amazing twenty

STM Sports have been scoring for fun in the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Second Division this season and before last Saturday had scored an impressive 24 goals in four league games.

But that was nothing compared to their League Cup clash at Caerau (Maesteg) where they inflicted a 20-0 defeat on the hosts. Yes, in old Grandstand teleprinter language, that’s TWENTY.

Dale Gardiner’s St Mellons team may have broken a few footballing records in that demolition.

Five players finished the game with hat-tricks, as Lamin Konteh, Josh Graham, Hishi Lama and Chris Worsley notched trebles, and Beb Ahmun hit four. Calum Bateman (2), Andy Gardner and an OG made up the net-full of goals for the St Mellons club.

Ahmun’s four goals were scored as a 20-minute substitute, so that could also be some sort of cup record.

You would think that Nigel Bircham, STM’S ex-chairman would be ecstatic, but the level-headed football man was quite the opposite.

Bircham said: “We as a club can gain no satisfaction from any game like this which was over after about 10 minutes when we were 3-0 up. The writing was on the wall and all our goal-scorers stopped celebrating after the first three or four goals.

“Caerau, who had ex-Arsenal legend Paul Merson playing for them last season, are a club with a decent tradition, so it’s sad when a game turns into a farce.”

Bircham added: “Even our managers were glad when the referee blew his whistle for 90 minutes.

“We play the game for competition and the thrill of winning, but unfortunately last weekend will be a footballing memory to put on the back burner.”

STM will play Tredegar Town at home in the next round of the competition and are back in league action tomorrow when they travel to Caldicot Town.

Bridgend Street, who also won against Ton Pentre in the League Cup Ben Ahmun scored four times in a 20-minute sub’s appearance, while Hishi Lama, inset, scored three last Saturday are on home soil tomorrow in league action against Aberdare Town. A brace by Paul Fowler, including a 90th-minute free kick was enough for John Jones’ team to progress, where they visit Haverfordwest County in Round Two.

Caerau Ely are at their Cwrt Y Ala ground tomorrow and welcome Monmouth Town.

Gavin Price’s Dinas Powys enjoyed a 2-0 cup success at their Murch ground last weekend and they are home again tomorrow against free-scoring Swansea University.

In the First Division, Taffs Well are at Glanford Park in Goytre this evening for what should be an entertaining encounter.

Adrian Needs’ team had a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory after drawing 1-1 in the cup after 90 minutes at Caldicot last weekend, while Goytre were midweek winners against Afan Lido in the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont are at home tomorrow when they host Pontypridd Town. Griffiths’ team continued their good start to their title challenge last Saturday with a last-minute winner at Goytre (Gwent) where they ended up 3-2 victors.

In midweek, Penybont also saw off the challenge of Ton Pentre in the Nathaniel MG Cup where they ran out 3-1 winners on Wednesday evening at their Clemco Stadium.

Ponty, on the other hand, are finding Division One a tough challenge at the moment and would do well to secure their first points of the season against the current league leaders.

Cambrian and Clydach eliminated Barry Town from the MG Cup on Tuesday when the Rhondda team saw off Gavin Chesterfield’s Welsh Premier team on penalties after drawing 0-0.

Dane Williams’ team host Afan Lido tomorrow afternoon in what could be the Welsh League’s game of day.

Karl Lewis and Llantwit Major have two points from their first three games at this level and will look for their first win at home tomorrow when their visitors are Undy Athletic.

Ton Pentre travel to Goytre Gwent tomorrow.