No joy for nine-man Caersws

Caersws finished with nine men as they went down to a 2-0 defeat against Huws Gray Alliance promotion challengers Cefn Druids at The Rock.

Robbie James and Warren Duckett got the goals that gave The Ancients victory but the match was overshadowed by a second half flashpoint which saw three players sent off.

It took a while for the match to create any real opening for either side and, when it did come in the 15th minute, it fell to Caersws when a low free kick by Graham Evans was deflected into the path of Mark Griffiths. His turn and shot was blocked by Chris Mullock while the rebound was sent high over the crossbar by Geraint Lewis.

The game was then held up after Ashley Wilson, who returned to the side after several weeks out through injury, clashed heads with Gareth Sudlow, which saw the Caersws player require lengthy treatment before he was, thankfully, able to continue.

The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when Druids converted their first real chance of the match. A free kick from Mullock just inside his own half was flicked on into the path of Tom Obasi by Max Peate. The winger sent in an accurate cross which James met with a powerful header six yards out to beat Alex Ramsay in the Caersws goal.

Caersws had an opportunity to equalise seven minutes later when Adam Hesp’s weak header allowed the ball to be played into the path of Griffiths, but the forward failed to trouble Mullock.

The second half was only 36 seconds old when Druids doubled their advantage. A long throw from Hesp was only partially cleared by the defence. Duckett latched on to the loose ball 30 yards out and unleashed a strong, low shot which went in off the inside of the post leaving Ramsay stranded.

But, in the 63rd minute, the match really sparked into life but for all of the wrong reasons. Luke Powell went in hard on Sudlow and the pair clashed on the floor, causing a fracas involving players from both sides.

Powell was immediately sent off, his second dismissal in a week - and both against the same opposition - by referee Peter Kewley while Geraint Lewis and skipper Graham Jones both saw red for Caersws for their involvement in the melee.

Caersws tried to work a way back into the game in the closing stages but the Druids defence stayed firm and Mullock was untroubled as The Ancients made it five wins out of the last six games.

Chris Herbert's Technogroup Welshpool are back on zero points after another win saw their 18 point deudction disappear in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance yesterday. Town's 3-0 win over Rhydymwyn took them within eight points of struggling Rhayader as they mount an uinlikely challenge to win all their remaining games to get clear of the relegation zone. Calvin Davies,  Chris Melia and Dave Swannick  got the goals.

Up the road Guilsfield put a very brave performance against league leaders Rhyl, eventually going down 2-0. They were trailing to a Russ Courtney goal as early as the second minute in front of their biggest crowd of the season. But it was not until the 80th minute that Mark Cadwallader made it 2-0.

Berriew increased their lead at the top of the Spar Mid Wales League with Llanrhaeadr on cup duty, overcoming Llanidloes 2-0.

Dyfryn Banw were held to a 2-2 draw by the students of Aberystwyth while in the secon division Four Crosses came a real cropper, losing 6-1 at home to Llandrindod. Llanfair also went down to a 2-1 defeat at Tregaron. Abermule went down 4-1 at home to Rhosgoch,

In the League Cup second division pacemakers Montgomery were too strong for Newbridge, winning 3-0, and Llanrhaeadr went through with a 2-1 win over plucky Kerry. Waterloo went out 3-0 at Bont, Meifod lost 3-1 at home to Bow Street but Llansantffraid went through with a 4-0 win at Penparcau.

Spar Mid Wales League

Division 1

Berriew 2 Llanidloes 0
Dolgellau 1 Builth Wells 3
Dyffryn Banw 2 Aberystwyth Uni 2

Division 2

Aberaeron 0 Talgarth 0
Abermule 1 Rhosgoch 4
Four Crosses 1 Llandrindod Wells 6
Tregaron 2 Llanfair Utd 1

Spar League Cup 1st Round

Bont 3 Waterloo 0
Llanrhaeadr 2 Kerry 1
Meifod 1 Bow Street 3
Montgomery 3 Newbridge-on-Wye 0
Penparcau 0 Llansantffraid Village 4