Smitham stars as Ynystawe extend their lead

ONE of the very few matches to be played in the Swansea Senior League on Saturday due to the wet conditions saw Ynystawe Athletic move six points clear at the top of division one following a 4-0 win away to Waunarlwydd Galaxy.

Influential ex-west End striker Rory Smitham played a part in all of the visitors’ goals as they served up their best display of the season.

Smitham helped Callum Howard find time and space with his clever running and deft touches for Howard to net with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Smitham made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, and it became 3-0 when he closed down the stand-in keeper and forced an error, allowing him to score.

Smitham was again involved when Casey Coughlin struck the ball into the bottom of the net to wrap up a commanding display.

Ynystawe played with an excellent high press throughout and their greater energy levels were the key to winning a rather one-sided match.

In division two, Penclawdd picked up their first win of the season when they defeated Kingsbridge Colts 3-2 in North Gower.

Penclawdd were 2-0 up at half-time following goals by Ashley Johns and Sam Jones, but Kingsbridge pulled it back to 2-2 thanks to efforts from Mark Corcoran and James Parker before a late home winner by Daniel Keefe.

In division three, Union

Rangers were leading 3-2 away to St Thomas Stars going into the last six minutes of the match before it was abandonded.

Yazan Adi put the visitors 1-0 up before a long-range effort from Martin Stannard put the hosts on level terms.

Stars took the lead when a long-range free-kick from Stannard found its way into the net.

Shedrick Ekezie found time and space on two separate occasions to put the visitors 3-2 up with two well-taken strikes.