REVITALISED DRUIDS END ABER CHASE WITH UPSET

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN’S hopes of securing a top-six place before the Welsh Premier League split were dashed as they crashed to a late winner from revitalised

Cefn Druids at Park Avenue yesterday.

The hosts had good chances to take the lead as Luke Borrelli dragged a shot wide in the early exchanges while new signing John Owen had his shot saved from Elliott Scotcher’s delivery.

But Druids created a couple of good chances of their own when home keeper Chris Mullock could only parry a 25-yard shot and, five minutes later, Mike Pritchard’s strike was inches wide.

Borrelli had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside, and headed against the bar in the second half from a Ricky Watts cross. But Druids went close again when a Steve Blenkinsop header hit the inside of a post and rebounded into Mullock’s arms.

The winning goal arrived five minutes from time. Substitute Adam Eden beat the offside trap and scored via the inside of the woodwork to complete the Druids’ second away win for the season.

Defeat for Aber ended their hopes of a top-six place and, with one round before the split, the race for the final spot is between Carmarthen Town and Llandudno. Cardiff Metropolitan University are assured of a berth.

Aberystwyth chairman Tony Bates said he was disappointed with the “devastating” result but admitted Druids deserved to win.

He said: “We can’t complain, they’re a very good side but we hope we can secure seventh and compete for a place in Europe.”

Welsh League Division One leaders Goytre tightened their grip at the top following a 5-3 victory at Risca United. Dan McDonald and Lewis Summers scored braces, with Sam O’Sullivan also on target. Callum Porter, debutante Jordan Cooper and Josh Clayton netted for the hosts. Caerau Ely and Haverfordwest County shared in a ten-goal thriller as the sides fought out a 5-5 stalemate.

Rameer Outlaw bagged a brace for the Cardiff hosts, with Curtis Hutson netting from the spot and Andy Smith and Liam Pika on target. Steffan Williams (twice), Ashley Bevan, Stef Davies and Greg Walters scored for County. Louis Gerrard gave Barry

Town United an early lead against Penybont before Joe Hopkins equalised in a 1-1 draw.

Strikes from Richard French, Craig Hughes and a Richard

Crees own goal gave Cambrian & Clydach a 3-1 triumph at Cwmbran Celtic, who netted through Niall Yeates. Meanwhile, Jonathan Hood’s spot-kick on the stroke of half-time was enough to give Port Talbot Town a 1-0 victory at Caldicot Town. Undy Athletic were 3-0 victors at Goytre United, Monmouth Town were 4-1 winners over Ton Pentre and Afan Lido went down 1-0 at home to Taffs Well, Aaron Edwards scoring the winner in the fourth minute of added time.

In Division Two, a Ricky Carter hat-trick led AFC Llwydcoed to a thumping 6-0 win over West End. In Division Three, Penrhiwceiber Rangers made it four wins in a row following a 4-1 triumph over Panteg.

Prestatyn, clear leaders of the Cymru Alliance, went on the rampage to crush Holywell Town 6-0 to stay nine points clear.

They broke the visitors’ resistance on the stroke of half-time through Jack Lewis. Second-half strikes came from Noah Edwards, Jack Kenny, Jordan Davies, James Stead and Alex Williams as the Seasiders stayed unbeaten.

Caernarfon Town kept within sight of Prestatyn, albeit 19 points adrift, with a 5-2 trouncing of

Gresford Athletic. Darren Thomas bagged a hat-trick.

Flint Town moved into third with a 3-1 home win over Mold, a Mark Griffiths first-half goal gave

Caersws a 1-0 win over Buckley Town while Garmon Hafal and Osian Davies scored for bottom club Ruthin Town as they won 2-1 at Holyhead Hotspur.

Josh Davies swooped for a hattrick as Porthmadog beat

Llanfair United 4-2 while an 11th-minute goal from Jon Evans was good enough to give Penrhyncoch victory over struggling Conwy Borough.