The Welsh Cup second qualifying round was the focal point of a busy weekend of local football with the Groundhoppers trip around Mid-Wales ensuring there was a feast of football across the Banik Holiday break.
There were the usual mixed fortunes for Mid Wales League Clubs in the Welsh Cup, but Waterloo Rovers came away from Brymbo with an impressive 4-0 victory. Penparcau showed more of last season’s championship form in seeing off visiting Gresford Athletic – also 4-0.
Carno needed extra time, but they are through after a 4-3 home success over Chirk AAA while an all-Spar League clash at Llanidloes Town also needed an extra half-an-hour before the home team prevailed 2-1 against Llansantffraid Village.
In the day’s other all-Spar League clash, Tywyn Bryncrug beat visiting Berriew 3-2, while Bow Street are through after a decent 4-2 away win at Llay Welfare, and Llanrhaeadr also progressed, courtesy of a 1-0 success at Dyffryn Nantlle.
In addition to Presteigne St Andrews’ exit at Ammanford, Newbridge are also out after they lost 5-3 at home to South Gower, while Hay St Marys found AFC Porth too hot to handle at Forest Road as the visitors ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.
Montgomery Town also bowed out of the competition at the second qualifying round stage as they lost 2-1 at home to Penmaenmawr Phoenix while Dyffryn Banw were beaten 4-0 at Gwalchmai.
The Welsh Cup meant the Groundhoppers weekend was based mainly around the Spar Mid Wales League second division programme, although there were a couple of first division games of note in which Newbridge beat visiting Builth Wells 4-2, and Llanidloes Town went second in the fledgling table after a 2-1 win at Carno.
For what it is worth at this stage, Berriew are currently top of the first division table with six points from two games, but there are four other clubs level on points with them.
The result of the weekend came in division two where Talgarth Town clearly felt the full force of the wounded Rhosgoch Rangers – Rhos had been thumped 7-1 at home by Gresford Athletic in the Trophy in their previous outing and obviously felt they had a point to prove as they buried Talgarth 10-0 on Sunday 29 August.
Kerry lead the second division table after a productive weekend in which they enjoyed 3-2 victories at Llanfyllin Town on Saturday and then at home to Meifod on Monday. Abermule are second after their Friday-night 1-0 home win over Llanfair United.
Also in division two, Meifod picked up a point in a 0-0 draw at Four Crosses while Tregaron Turfs saw off visiting Aberaeron 1-0.
Llandrindod Wells drew 1-1 with Bont at The Broadway while Montgomery Town bounced back from their Welsh Cup exit to thump Llanfyllin Town 5-0 on Bank Holiday Monday.
In the Mid Wales League (South), the action began on Thursday 26 August where Newcastle beat visiting Knighton Victoria 7-0 and Hay St Marys came away from Talgarth Town Reserves with a 3-0 victory.
On Friday 27 August, Newbridge Reserves came away from Builth Wells Reserves with a 2-1 victory.
There were three matches on Saturday 28 August in which the league leaders Rhayader Town Reserves held off visiting Newcastle at the Weirglodd, while Penybont Athletic picked up three points on the road courtesy of their 2-1 success at Sennybridge. The game between Radnor Valley and Llandrindod Town Reserves finished goal-less.