DIVISION THREE

CAERAU ......................... 0 TREOWEN STARS ......... 1

CAERAU have three matches to save a season that promised so much ending in chaos, writes Tony Poole.

The Riverboaters, who appear to have gone on a summer cruise earlier than anticipated, followed up a 1-0 home midweek defeat against lowly Treowen Stars with a 6-0 walloping last Saturday against table-topping STM Sports in St Mellons.

It’s left three more games – all at home on successive weekends – starting with Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Saturday, and followed by Cwm Welfare (May 6) and STM Sports (May 13).

A dreadful run of form – they’ve now only won one game in their last six outings – has seen promotion aspirations dashed for another year, and even a third-place finish is now dubious.

Having lost 5-2 at Treowen in early April, the Riverboaters were expected to steady a rocking boat during the swift rematch.

But they had a Ryan Bunny-John goal ruled out early on, and worse followed when Chay Davies had a penalty saved.

It was goal-less at half time and on the restart, star stopper Matt Rees had to pull off a top drawer save.

Liam Davis breathed some life into another limp Caerau display, but it was Stars who were shining after Cael Jones got a 63rdminute goal to settle the issue.

Though Chay Davies went close during dying embers, it failed to prevent another bitterly disappointing Riverboat night.

The damage last Saturday in the 6-0 loss at STM was done during the first half with the St Mellons side scoring four times.

Though Caerau did perk up during the second half with substitute Dale Price prominent, it was another awful day.

Two goals apiece for the league leaders came from Dave Brooks, Andy Gardner and man-ofthe-match Chris NipperWorsley.

The game marked the end of the STM managerial reign of Nathan Cadette after two successful seasons.