LOUGHOR GET OFF TO A FLYER
IT was a terrific start to the LTC Mobility Carmarthenshire League season for Loughor Rovers, for whom striker Luke Goddard starred with a hat-trick in a 6-2 win at home to Trallwm in the Premier division.
The visiting defence was on the back foot for long periods, conceding three more goals to Ciaran Morgan, Aaron Bushrod and Josh Harwood. Apart from an own goal, Ben Lewis scored for Trallwm.
Seaside were another team in fine form, defeating visitors Killay 4-0. Joel Andrews netted twice, and there were goals for Elliot Birchell and Kieran Dawe.
In the only away win in the Premier division, Pengelli United edged a tight game 4-3 against Pwll thanks to goals from James Richards, Luke Rees, Adam Avo and Reilly Lewis.
The clash between Bwlch Rangers and Burry Port was postponed because of player registrations issues.
In division one, Llandovery Town produced a stunning performance to defeat Evans & Williams Reserves 9-0 at home. Striker Chris Hyde with a hat-trick and five assists was the star of the show.
Four of the goals were shared between Ryan Bailey and Lewis Blofield, while Mark Dyer and Tom Hyde were the other two players to score.
Although Caerbryn were in control for most of the game, they were made to battle for their 4-3 win at home to Kidwelly Town.
Simon James scored two, and there were also goals for Iwan Easton and Steve Evans.
In another tight affair, goals from Jack Roberts and Nick Lewis was enough to earn Camford Sports a 2-1 win at home to Dafen Reserves.
It is good to see Ponthenri back in the league, and a successful return saw them beat visiting Johnstown 3-1 in division two. Shaun Williams capped a fine performance with two of the goals, and there was one for Craig Chandler.
And what an excellent opener for league newcomers Ferryside, Scott Thomas netting in a 1-0 win against visiting CK Swiss Valley Reserves.
Rising star Rhys Ibbittson was always in the thick of the action for Ammanford Development and struck twice in their 3-2 win away to Llandeilo Town. Also on target was Shaun Watkins.
Striker Dai Bastinman was on fire with five of the goals for last season’s runners-up Trostre AFC, who beat Pengelli United 7-1 in their away clash in reserve division one.
Trostre drew clear with two more goals from Anthony James and Cameron Dickeson.
But last season’s champions Loughor Rovers Reserves lost 2-0 at home to Seaside Reserves, for whom Steve Stone scored both goals. One of his efforts was from the penalty spot.
Drefach Reserves impressed in a 4-2 win at Burry Port. John Price netted the first in the 19th minute, and there were goals in each half for Morgan Rees in the 42nd and 46th minutes before Dan Bush secured the points in the 94th minute.
A young Burry Port side created plenty of chances of their own and were rewarded with goals from Stevie Summerfield and George Russell.
It was the best possible start also for Gorseinon Athletic Reserves, who made ground advantage count in beating Dafen A 5-3. Joe English grabbed two of the goals, and there was one each for Robert Cunnah, Owen Cartwright and Lee Blake.
The visitors replied with a couple of goals from Kyle Bessent, while Steve Evans also scored to make amends for his penalty miss.
In reserve division two, Trallwm edged a 1-0 win at home to Tumble United in a game dominated by the defences thanks to Josh Lealand’s goal.
And in another hard-fought encounter in the division, Steve Nicholas and Sean Andrews found the back of the net for Felinfoel Reserves in a 2-1 win away to Camford Sports Reserves.
Leading 2-0 at half-time, Llangennech A pulled clear for a 6-0 win in the away game against Kidwelly Town Reserves in reserve division three.
The only surprise was it took 32 minutes for Llangennech to open their account, Harri Baker doing the honours, with Rhydian Soady-Jackson making it 2-0 four minutes later.
Daniel Evans extended the lead in the 64th minute, before Baker netted his second five minutes later. Callum Francis added to Kidwelly’s misery with goals in the 82nd and 90th minutes.
Maximum points, too, for Caerbryn Reserves, for whom Ethan Milligan scored two in the 7-3 away win against CP Suburbs Reserves.
And apart from an own goal, Caerbryn scored four more through Shayne Clarke, Cameron Evans, Josh Howells and Matthew Jones.
Meanwhile, CK Swiss Valley reached the second round of the FAW Trophy after beating Dafen Welfare on penalties.
The sides were locked 2-2 after 90 minutes, and with no extra time permitted under current FAW Trophy rules, CK went through after a 6-5 win on penalties.
Rhys Roberts-Alatti netted both CK goals including a late equaliser after Jamie Phillips and then sub Alex Angear had given Dafen the lead.
Pontarddulais Town and Clydach were deadlocked at 2-2 as the final whistle blew at Coed Bach Park.
Clydach were 2-0 ahead at the break, although the introduction of half-time substitute Craig Frater for Bont had an immediate effect. Within three minutes the experienced Frater was fouled in the area and he despatched the penalty himself before equalising again from the spot with 10 minutes left.
And Frater struck the decisive shootout penalty to take Bont through 4-3 on spot-kicks.
Evans & Williams’s early season form suggests that they’ll be challenging for honours this season. The Albies, fielding seven players under the age of 21, beat Neath League side Bryncoch 3-0.
Fraser Williams’s fourth-minute goal opened the scoring, with Dylan Ashford doubling the advantage.
Mark Howells sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining.