FOOTBALL ROUNDUP
UNBEATEN Porthcawl Town are already making a big statement in Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier Division, winning all five matches, writes Tony Poole.
Their latest victims last Saturday in a Lock’s Lane derby were Garw with the Blandy boys under Mark Sage, Dai Samuel and Jonny Wile losing 5-0.
In what is proving an action replay of last winter when the Seasiders dominated Division One, they constructed a two-goal lead at the break.
Sam Comley gave them an early lead; Hayden Lau converted a penalty while goals early in the second half from Olly Thomas and Morgan Thomas took them clear.
And close to time Andrew Fisher netted, leaving Porthcawl five points clear of nearest challengers Cardiff Draconians.
The only other top-tier club with a perfect record are Cefn Cribwr, who swept to a 3-1 win over Trebanog at The Coliseum.
Daniel Jenkins opened his seasonal account while Dann Jones and ex-Penybont star Matthew Symons were also on target for the buoyant Riders.
But there was no joy for Caerau – who have yet to pick up a point this term – following a 5-0 defeat at Ely Rangers, who were relegated with the Riverboaters last season from the Welsh League.
In Division One, Cornelly United were in with a shout when only trailing AFC Butetown 2-1 early in the second half – Joe Roche the marksman for the Wasps – only to go down 4-1.
In Division Two, the big Llynfi Valley derby went to newly promoted Maesteg Park, who made it four wins from as many games with a 5-1 success over Llangynwyd Rangers at Tudor Park.
The table-topping Park Arabs had a Lewis Kingdon penalty and a headed goal from Ellis Horrigan to thank for a 2-0 advantage at the interval.
Kingdon made it 3-0 on the restart, and soon after completed a hat-trick from the penalty spot with Steffan Roberts making it 5-0.
But plucky Llan kept on fishing for a goal, and were rewarded when big Ben Thomas struck with a collector’s item from a free kick.
Llangeinor had to settle for a second successive home draw, this time in a 3-3 stalemate with St Joseph’s.
Simon Lock unlocked the Cardiff side’s defence with a key strike with Adam Worner getting their other two goals.
And canny Scot Jay Tominey did a jig after striking a 62nd-minute winner for Vale United, who beat AFC Wattstown, 1-0, in leafy Corntown.
In midweek action, Pencoed Athletic protected an unbeaten start to the season in the Premier Division with a 2-0 home win over Ely Rangers. In a bread and butter victory for the Felindre Road boys, dynamite Jack Delve blasted them in front with Griff Williams wrapping up the points.
Cefn Cribwr opened their league campaign in the top flight with a 4-1 victory over Caerau at The Riverboat.
Goal braces from dancing Danny Woolfenden and Dann Jones did the trick for the Riders with their explayer Rhys Alden netting to make it 3-1.
Porthcawl Town just came through against lowly Sully Sports in Swanbridge, triumphing 2-1, with Bradley Clarke getting a late winner.
Top scorer Joe McCarthy sent the Seasiders in front on 20 minutes, but the issue was back in the melting pot once once Sully levelled in the 75th minute through Ethan McInery.
And with the game seemingly heading for a 1-1 outcome, up popped goal-scoring hero Clarke with an 89th-minute clincher.
Meanwhile, it was celebration time in Division One for a young Cornelly United side, who carded a 3-1 victory over Treforest at Meadow Street.
Chris Mitchell, Aaron Weaver and Jahval Williams got the goals that put a smile back on the face of new Cornelly boss Alan Kinsey.
Maesteg Park welcomed to Tudor Park a fellow promoted side from the South Wales FA play-offs in Canton Rangers.
And the Park Arabs, who led 2-0 at the changeover, went on to confirm play-off form with a 3-1 success.
Steffan Roberts broke the stalemate in the 33rd minute, and on-fire Lewis Kingdon doubled the lead just before the break.
Though Canton did half arrears on the hour, it was Park who lasted the pace much better with another screamer from Luke Howells rubber-stamping a third league victory.
But understrength Llangynwyd Rangers slid to a 4-0 defeat against newly promoted Tata Steel United at The Llan Siro.
Though well in contention during the first-half, Llan trailed 2-0 at the turnaround with goal braces for the Steelmen coming from Luke Llewellyn and Josh Beck.