STARS ISSUE A WARNING AS SEASIDE ARE SENT PACKING
TITLECHASING Carmarthen Stars finished the year on a high with a stunning 5-0 win at home to Seaside in the Premier division of the LTC Mobility Carmarthenshire League.
It was a terrific performance from Stars, for whom Sion Dafydd sparkled with two of the goals. Also on target were striker Sam Wilson, Aled Thomas and Adrian Hazelby.
The three points helped Carmarthen Stars climb into second place in the table, just three points behind leaders Evans & Williams and with four games in hand.
Also going well are Loughor Rovers, who extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games following a hard-fought 1-0 win in the away clash against Pwll Athletic.
The only goal of the game was scored on the hour by Luke Goddard, who broke clear before shooting past the keeper.
At the other end Loughor keeper Matthew Saunders kept his team in the game with a handful of fine saves, while captain Aaron Waters was outstanding.
In division one, CK Swiss Valley did their goal difference no harm with a 13-1 win at bottom club Abergwili. It was 7-1 at the break.
The home team are going through a difficult time right now, and it was no surprise to see CK Swiss Valley dominate from start to finish.
Five of the goals were shared between Kevin Daniels, Rhys Morgans, Shane Richards, Luke Limbrick and Robert Owens, while Marcus Edwards, Nick Rees and Sion Tiplady were others to hit the back of the net.
Kidwelly Town produced arguably their best performance of the season to beat Penyfan United 5-1 in their own back yard.
David Thomas and Robert Hammond struck with a couple of goals each, and there was one for Jordan Howells.
A well-taken hat-trick by Scott Thomas helped Johnstown to an 8-0 win at home Caerbryn. The remaining five goals were scored by Lewis Rocke, Sion Davies, Louie Caligari, Tom Walters and Richard Whalley.
There is no change at the top of the table in division two, and West End United continue to set the pace after a thrilling 7-4 win at Carway.
At the end of the 90 minutes the teams were separated by the brilliance of West End United striker Stewart Hemingway, who fired in five of the goals. Also on target were Dyfrig Frater and Charlie Weston.
Second-placed FC Carmarthen kept their unbeaten record in the league intact with a comfortable 11-1 win in the away clash against Llanelli Park Rangers.
The visitors were gifted a couple of own goals, and it was 3-0 at the break.
Ashley Prior capped an outstanding display with four of the goals, and there one each for Marcus Bryan, Thomas Joyce, Osian Thomas, Dan Thomas and Joe McCann.
And Llangennech moved into fourth place in the table following a hard-earned 2-1 derby win at Hendy.
Goals from Wayne Phillips and Nathan Mcauley were enough to secure the points for Llangennech. It was 1-1 at half-time.
Carmarthen Town United proved too strong for bottom club KRUF, winning the home game 9-0. Scott Jarvis scored four of the goals.
There were two goals each for Josh Martin and Rhodri Williams, plus one for Sean Williams. At half-time it was 3-0.
In the one game played in reserve division one, Seaside made ground advantage count in a 4-1 win against second-placed Dafen.
Veteran striker proved too hot to handle with a match-winning hattrick for Seaside, for whom Mike Charles also scored.
There are eight ties scheduled in the TAD Builders-sponsored Darch Cup next Saturday, with four in the first round and four in the second round.
After winning 11 from 11 so far this season in reserve division one, Evans & Williams are without doubt the team to beat and not surprisingly start hot favourites to capture the trophy.
Standing in their way in a secondround tie are Pontarddulais Town Reserves, and it is difficult to see Evans & Williams Reserves being troubled by the visitors.
When the teams played each other three days before Christmas, Evans & Williams dominated from start to finish in winning 6-2.
Anything can happen in the cup and it is fair to say that the likes of Dafen Reserves, Loughor Rovers Reserves, Gorseinon Athletic Reserves, Pontlliw Reserves, Bwlch Rangers
Reserves and Seaside Reserves are all capable of upsetting the favourites in a one-off encounter.
While four of the clubs will be happy with their lot, Seaside Reserves and Loughor Reserves are unlucky and have been drawn to play each other.
With up to seven clubs still in with a shout of glory, the fight for the title in the Premier division title is turning into the most exciting in years.
And there are two derbies which stand out on Saturday, one of them between Loughor Rovers and visiting Gorseinon Athletic.
After winning four league games on the bounce, Gorseinon have emerged as the dark horses in the title race, and should they claim another three points here then the sky is the limit.
Any team with a striker of the quality of Nathan Logan must be taken seriously.
In the other big derby, anything can happen in the clash between Trallwm and defending champions Bwlch Rangers.
Division one leaders Pontlliw are on course for a quick return to the top flight, and kick off the new year with consecutive home games in the league. First up for the leaders is Felinfoel, to be followed two weeks later by Camford Sports.