STARS FIGHT BACK TO HIT THE SUMMIT
CARMARTHEN Stars climbed to the top of the Premier division in the LTC Mobility Carmarthenshire League, coming from behind to beat Evans & Williams 4-3 at Maes yr Yrfa.
Trailing to a goal in the fifth minute from Stephen Greene, the leaders hit back to lead 3-2 at half-time. Greene went on to complete his hat-trick, but it wasn’t enough to rescue the visitors.
Eventually it was Stars who claimed the points thanks to goals from Sion Dafydd Williams, Thomas Harvey, striker Sam Wilson and Callum Deadman.
Bwlch Rangers haven’t given up hope of successfully defending their title, stepping up their challenge for more glory with a cracking 3-0 win at Trallwm.
On the balance of play it was a thoroughly deserved win for Bwlch, for whom Matthew Hughes netted twice. Also on target was Clayton Jenkins.
Also still in with a shout are Gorseinon Athletic, who beat neighbours Loughor Rovers 2-0 in their away clash.
A penalty converted by striker Nathan Logan went a long way in helping split the teams, and there was a goal for Matthew Hurford. Both goals were scored in the opening half.
Seaside were on top for most of the 90 minutes in the away game against Pontarddulais Town and deserved their 3-0 win.
The deadlock was broken a couple of minutes into the second half when from a cross by Owain Goddard the outstanding Ben Honeybun beat the keeper.
It came as no surprise to see Honeybun strike again in the 65th minute, before Goddard secured the points 10 minutes later.
Pengelli United made the best possible start to the new year, picking up a welcome three points from their 2-0 win at home to Pwll Athletic.
After getting the better of the midfield exchanges, Pengelli capitalised with goals from Sam Goodwin and Luke Rees.
After being behind early on, Dafen fought back to claim a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Tumble United. George Lavender netted the equaliser for Dafen, and both goals were scored in the first half.
The game between Trostre Sports and visiting Killay was abandoned after 20 minutes with the score on 0-0.
There is no change at the top of division one, but leaders Pontlliw were given an early scare before defeating visiting Felinfoel 2-1 in a tight contest.
Trailing to an early goal, Pontlliw hit back to win thanks to Adam Scott and Josh Badcup.
Second-placed Burry Port proved clinical in the 6-0 win at home to Penyfan United.
For more than half an hour there was nothing to choose between the teams, but three goals in the space of five minutes eventually gave Burry Port the upper hand.
After taking the lead through Darren Mahony in the 35th minute, Jamie Dunleavy scored two goals inside 60 seconds shortly afterwards to make the half-time score 3-0.
Dunleavy went on to complete his hat-trick, while others to find the net were Ryan Owens and Wayne Williams.
And there was a superb win for Johnstown, who beat Llandeilo Town 4-3 in their away game. Richard Whalley scored two, and there were also goals for Ben Thomas and Simon Rocke.
Leading 3-1 at the break, CK Swiss Valley went on to beat visiting Caerbryn 6-2. The home team pulled clear through goals by Robert Owens, Shane Richards, Shane Thomas, Kevin Daniels, Sion Tiplady and Alex Davies.
Llandovery Town were 2-1 behind at half-time away to Camford Sports but eventually rescued a point in a 4-4 draw. Chris Hyde and Tom Hyde scored two goals each for Llandovery.
In the game between the top two clubs in division two, FC Carmarthen drew 2-2 at home with leaders West End United.
Goals for FC Carmarthen from Josh Archer and Josh Malia were cancelled out by Charlie Weston and Nathan Lewis.
Elsewhere in the division, striker Charlie Bowen scored seven of the goals for Carway in their 10-1 win at home to Llanelli Park Rangers. Also on target were Dominic Foreman, Dan Foreman and Steve Bouse.
Carmarthen Town United were leading visiting Hendy 4-0 when the game was abandoned in the 84th minute.
Thanks to goals from Josh Martin, Scott Jarvis, Sion Jones and Steffan Phillips, the home team were in control at the time of the abandonment.
Bottom club KRUF made an encouraging start to the new year and will have been delighted with a 3-3 draw at Drefach. A couple of goals from Chris Peters plus one from Steve Simmonds secured a point for the visitors.
In the first round of the TAD Builders-sponsored Darch Cup, goals from Jamie Phillips and Marty Bardsley helped Burry Port Reserves knock out Bwlch Rangers Reserves in their away tie 2-1.
Jesse Rees had given Bwlch the lead.
And in the second round of the competition, a hat-trick by Jared Peake steered Evans & Williams Reserves to a 6-2 win at home to Pontarddulais Town Reserves. There were goals for Shane Price, Stephen Banfield and Calden John.
Also through to the third round are Gorseinon Athletic Reserves, for whom Jamie Dunleavy scored twice in the 4-2 win against Trallwm Reserves. Lewis Evans and Morgan James scored the others for Gorseinon.
There was also action in the league, and Johnstown Reserves proved too strong for visiting CK Swiss Valley A in winning the reserve division 3 A clash 5-0. There was a hat-trick for Shaun John, plus goals for Robbie Crawford and Kurt Cooper.
Looking ahead to this Saturday, there are five first-round and three second-round ties in the Senior Cup.
Favourites to capture the trophy are division one high-flyers Pontlliw, who kick off with a first-round tie at Pembrey. When the teams played each other on the same ground in the league on the opening day of the season, Pontlliw were made to battle for their 3-1 win.
CK Swiss Valley face visiting Felinfoel, and the winners of this one will fancy their chances of going all the way in the competition.
Although CK Swiss Valley beat Felinfoel 5-1 at home back in October, they can take nothing for granted on this occasion.
In the remaining first-round ties, Llandovery Town visit Carway, Caerbryn host Llangennech and Drefach entertain division two rivals Penllergaer.
After knocking out West End United 6-2 in their away tie in the first round, Llandeilo Town will attempt to beat Burry Port for the first time this season in their home tie.
The teams have already played each other twice in the league and there looks to be little between them. Burry Port won 5-4 at Llandeilo in September, while seven weeks later the return game finished 1-1.
On the evidence of what we’ve seen so far this season, there is nothing to suggest that division one bottom club Abergwili can cause a shock by knocking out visitors Ammanford Town Reserves, who won the league game 7-1 in early September.
The pick of the games in the Premier division is the one between Gorseinon Athletic and visiting Carmarthen Stars.