WELSH LEAGUE
HERE was redemption for Marcus Griffiths at the weekend as Penybont edged Llantwit Major 1-0 at Bryntirion to go back to the top of Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh League Division One.
Griffiths missed a late penalty when the sides met back in August and it finished goalless but, this time, he made no mistake and, after coming off the bench, super sub Griffiths’ 75th minute header ultimately proved decisive and earned all three points for the league leaders.
Llantwit are the only side to have taken points off Penybont so far this season and for them this was a ninth win in 10 matches – which took them back top of the pile and two points above Afan Lido, who had their trip to Ammanford postponed.
Haverfordwest County, in third, have played one game more than Penybont and remain four points behind after running out 5-1 victors over Pontypridd Town at Leckwith Stadium.
Kaid Mohamed, skipper Sean Pemberton, Danny Williams, and a brace from Jack Wilson won it for the Bluebirds.
Player boss Gavin Beddard got the goal for Pontypridd who remain second from bottom.
Cambrian & Clydach, who won 2-0 at Ton Pentre, are a point further back in fourth spot.
Liam Reed and Cameron Keetch were on target for the Nathaniel MG Cup finalists.
Elsewhere Port Talbot Town hauled themselves out of the bottom three with a 4-2 win over fifth-placed Cwmbran Celtic at Victoria Road.
It saw the Steelmen bag maximum points for only the second time this season.
Ironically, their only other league win of the season came at Celtic, 2-1, back in August and takes them above Ton Pentre.
Bottom side Taffs Well’s trip to Undy Athletic was postponed due to the weather as were the games at Goytre and Goytre United against Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cwmamman United respectively.
Only two games managed to beat the weather in Division Two.
STM Sports were in free-scoring form as they put five past 10-man AFC Llwydcoed without reply.
Andy Gardiner, Ben Ahmun, player-manager Dale Gardiner, Josh Graham and Marcus Jones all netted for the hosts. Jordan Ellis saw red for Llwydcoed in the first half.
Meanwhile Josh Brown’s hat-trick set Monmouth Town on their way to a 5-1 home thumping of Risca United.
Rob Laurie and Perys Pullen were also among the scorers.
Leaders Croesyceiliog’s home game with West End was postponed due to the weather and they remain two points clear of Abergavenny Town, who had their game at Caerau Ely rained off.
It was a similar story in Division Three.
Trethomas Bluebirds, though, did play and moved level on points with leaders Trefelin BGC after a 2-1 home defeat of Treharris Athletic Western.
Alfie Jones and Tom Neville got the goals for the Bluebirds.
The only other game played resulted in a crushing 5-0 win for Penrhiwceiber Rangers at Newport City.
Ricky Carter was on the treble trail while Brandon Davies bagged himself a brace.
Trefelin, who have the edge on goal difference, had their scheduled trip to AFC Porth postponed.