Neath Athletic maintained a 12-point buffer at the top of the Macron Welsh League first division on the back of a 2-0 victory over Caerleon at Cold Bath Road.

Neath were unable to make the breakthrough during the opening half, and goalkeeper Huw Liddell was forced to deal with some long-range shots. However, the Llandarcy Park side, who won the reverse fixture 6-1 back in October, seized the initiative 10 minutes into the second half.

Martyn James got on the end of a Jock Fairbairn corner to drive the ball home.

Caerleon then went close to equalising before the league leaders wrapped up the double in the 68th minute.

Andy Hill played Jonathan Keaveny through on goal and the ex-Swan drilled home his 10th goal of the season.

Up into second place went Afan Lido, who switched their fixture with Betws to Princess Margaret Way and won 2-0.

With the North Site playing surface rendered unplayable, the Seasiders went on to gain a similar kind of victory to Neath.

Having played poorly and being held 0-0 at the interlude, Lido took the lead in the 63rd minute when Liam McCreesh converted a Stephen Parry cross.

Lido sealed victory from a 75th-minute Shaun O'Leary corner.

Paul Evans headed it down for Luke Harrington, and the former Swansea player shot past Leon Cosker in the Betws goal.

This extended Lido's unbeaten league run to nine matches, dating back to August when they lost 2-1 to defending champions Ton Pentre.

Goytre Utd rose to seventh on the back of a 3-1 victory over bottom-placed Ely Rangers at Station Road.

Two fine saves from Gareth Scantlebury thwarted Ely early on, and Goytre went on to take a 24th-minute lead.

Richard Ryan turned the home defence and although goalkeeper Ross Hooper-Nash blocked his shot, it ran to Jonny Walkley to net his first goal of the season.

Goytre then conceded on the stroke of half-time, and didn't get their noses back in front until the 58th minute.

On this occasion Ian Turner found Michael Waters whose fine run ended in him side-footing past Hooper-Nash.

Ten minutes later the Port Talbot village side completed a fifth league win of the season. This time Ryan squared the ball to Darren Lyons who drilled home his fifth goal of the campaign.

Title-chasing UWIC dropped points in a 2-2 stalemate with Dinas Powys at the Murch Field.

Just two matches went ahead in the second division with Porthcawl Town triumphing 3-1 over Gwynfi United in the Lock's Lane basement battle.

Chances were few and far between until the Seasiders opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Lee Giles got on the end of William Alston goal-kick and delivered a cross towards the far post for Del James to run on to it and fired past Ian Gunter in the Gwynfi goal.

Porthcawl got a crucial second goal two minutes from the break when James played in Gareth Duffy to find the target.

The Seasiders went three goals clear in the 48th minute as Paul Atkinson's corner found the head of Rhys Owen.

The Cape side kept plugging away and were rewarded in the 77th minute by their best player Nicky Puleio when Nigel Rogers headed his cross past Alston.

Afan Lido have opted to fulfil their Macron Welsh League fixture at Betws although more than 200 Stanley blades have been removed from the playing surface over the last fortnight.

The Bridgend village side have been troubled by vandalism, but two trawls by the council involving metal detectors have yielded the ground playable. Lido, unbeaten in their last eight league matches, will be without striker Chris Piper, who was sent off during last Friday's 2-2 draw with Bridgend.

Goalkeeper Brian Thomas is still out, but Shaun O'Leary has now completed fire service examinations and is likely to resume.

First division leaders Neath Athletic face a double header this weekend.

They are away to Caerleon tomorrow and face a West Wales Senior Cup clash with Llansawel at Cwrt Herbert on Sunday.

Back in contention for places at Cold Bath Road tomorrow will be defenders Steve Evans and Ian Vaughan, who were involved in a training mishap last week.

Struggling Briton Ferry visit Bryntirion, who have completed the transfer of experienced campaigner Jonathan Wile from Betws.

Goytre United have Ryan Penny back in their squad for their clash with bottom-placed Ely Rangers at Station Road.

Penny missed last Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Barry because of a facial injury.

Pontardawe welcome back both Carl Mainwaring and Steve Crabbe for their home fixture against champions Ton Pentre.

However, Steven Cox starts a three-match suspension following his dismissal at Briton Ferry last Saturday while Geza Hajgato has declared himself fit after dislocating an elbow in the same game.

Maesteg Park boss Andrew Rickard has a fit squad for their home clash with AFC Llwydcoed while Garden Village's Dale Selvedge faces a fitness test ahead of the home game with Garw.

Two of the most improved sides in the second division go head-to-head, but Village will be without suspended Craig Blake.

Third-placed Garw have won all seven matches since Swansea University's Christopher Wells took over last month.

Ammanford have captain Steven Francis back for their demanding task against high-flying Caldicot at Rice Road.

Francis returns from a one-match ban, as does Liam Preece, and striker Emyr Jones has regained match fitness.

Morriston host Abertillery and Dingle boss Michael Ellery is hoping to have Mark Carlyle back from injury.

But influential defender Scott Horton, who is suffering from a back complaint, is rated only 50-50.

Gwynfi have serious selection problems for their basement battle with Porthcawl at Lock's Lane.

Goalkeeper Liam Wolfe broke a hand in last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat against Ammanford, and captain Dave Blackmore is also ruled out.

Doubtful are Steve Tanner, Dai Jones and Luke Williams while Lee Flay has announced his retirement.

West End return to league duties at Penrhiwfer, following an amazing penalty shoot-out victory over Cogan Coronation in the Welsh Trophy quarter-finals.

Following an injury to goalkeeper Nicky Pritchard, four other players - Richard Mansell, Wayne Saunders, Jeffrey Aspell and Wayne Jones - all took turns between the posts.

As a result, Pritchard and Mansell both miss out at Penrhiwfer with Ragged School import Richard Evans taking over in goal.

Andrew Tyrrell is in line to start in the Rhondda Valley.

Cwmamman will be at full strength at Treowen while Seven Sisters hope to have four key men back at Risca.

Due to return are goalkeeper Adrian Barnsley, Barry Herdman, Shaun Lambert and Leon Thomas.

Ystradgynlais, away to Treharris, parade new signing Michael Wathan (Ynystawe).

Leaders Neath Athletic beat bottom-placed Ely Rangers 2-0 at Llandarcy Park to remain clear of the field in the Macron Welsh League first division.

But Neath were not at their best, and it took a superb 55th-minute strike from Steven Pockett to break the deadlock. An Andy Hill penalty made things safe, but up into second place have come champions Ton Pentre on the back of a 4-1 home win over Caerleon.

Uwic lifted themselves into third spot, Ryan James netting in a 1-0 home win over Bryntirion, who dropped down to fourth.

Goytre United remain in mid-table after dropping points in disappointing fashion against Barry at Glenhafod Park.

Though Richard Ryan curled in a free-kick in the 25th minute, a Barry side - containing nine former Bridgend players - hit back to take a 2-1 lead at the break.

Gareth Hemmens got the equaliser while Scott Lanyon shot past goalkeeper Gareth Scantlebury in the 44th minute.

Ian Turner drilled in Goytre's equaliser in the 53rd minute, and after that chances were rare in a 2-2 outcome.

Pontardawe came late to take the spoils 2-1 during a derby clash with Briton Ferry at Old Road.

Richard Cleverly and Rob Folland set up a 43rd-minute goal for top scorer Jamie Bowen with Pontardawe a goal to the good at half-time.

However, early in the second half Ferry equalised from the penalty spot via Sam Brown only to have Jonny Chellew sent off soon after.

It wasn't until the 80th minute that Pontardawe got their noses back in front with Paul Davey setting up a headed winner for Folland.

Maesteg Park struck early to gain a valuable 1-0 win over Taffs Well at Rhiw D'dar.

The goal that settled the issue arrived in the fourth minute with Gareth Davies volleying home a Robbie Walters cross.

In the second division, Garden Village won away for a second time on the trot, triumphing 2-0 against Merthyr Saints.

The Gorseinon side built victory around a 30th-minute penalty from Ashley Richards, and doubled the lead on the hour.

Richards capitalised on a defensive blunder to register an eighth goal of the season, and the only negative for manager Robert Lloyd was having Craig Blake dismissed in the 70th minute.

Morriston went down to a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat against Caldicot at a foggy Jubilee Way.

The Dingle side looked more likely to make the breakthrough with Neil Simon striking a free-kick against the woodwork.

But in the final minute, the home side came up with a surprise winner and with Pontypridd held to 1-1 by visiting Aberaman, Caldicot went top.

Ammanford won 2-0 against Gwynfi at The Cape with recent acquisition Steve Devonald getting both goals.

Devonald, who was making a first full start, made the most of a 25th-minute error to shoot the Rice Roaders ahead.

And right on half-time, he struck again, driving home a 25-yard free-kick in dramatic fashion.

Porthcawl leaked three early goals at Caerau Ely and went down to a 5-2 defeat. Lee Giles and Gareth Duffy were on target for the Seasiders.

Garw maintained their promotion push, defeating rivals Croesyceiliog 2-1 thanks to goals from Jamie Morris and a sizzling 88th-minute winner from substitute Gareth Sage.

In the third division, Ystradgynlais picked up three precious points from a 4-3 victory over Penrhiwfer in the Ynyscedwyn Road basement battle.

Two goals from Craig Hopkins sent Ystrad in with a 2-1-interval lead, but they then lost Andrew Miller to a pulled muscle.

Dave Miller took his place and got both second-half goals, but Penrhiwfer then rallied and came close to claiming a point.

Cwmamman paid the price for a below-par first-half showing against promotion-seeking Cambrian & Clydach at Grenig Park, losing 2-1.

The Rhondda Valley side were at their best during the opening half and led 2-0 at the break.

But Cwm then showed a big improvement, and it was game on once Mark James pulled a goal back on the hour.

However, Nathan Davies, top scorer Steven Williams and Paul Pugh all missed decent half-chances.

Understrength Seven Sisters fell to a 4-1 home defeat against newcomers Cwmbran Celtic.

Seven, who were without four frontline players, were 3-0 down inside 40 minutes. Richard Herdman converted a penalty just before the break, but Celtic ran out deserved winners.

Improving Afan Lido get this weekend's programme under way against Bridgend Town at Princess Margaret Way tonight (7.30pm).

The Seasiders are unbeaten in their last seven league matches. Their last defeat was on August 20 - 2-1 at home to Ton Pentre. But manager Mark Robinson is without Brian Thomas, Carl Evans, Shaun O'Leary and Karl Lewis.

Goytre United recruit Carl Evans is in the squad, while Karl Roberts returns from a one-match ban.

Lido will run a fitness test on front-runner Chris Piper, who is only regarded as 50-50.

Bridgend are set to include Llanelli recruit Anthony Wright, but midfield player Michael Parkin has gone to Weston-super-Mare.

Goytre, meanwhile, welcome back goalkeeper Gareth Scantlebury from a two-match suspension tomorrow for the visit of Barry Town.

Also included in their squad is recent Afan Lido acquisition Lee Shrimpton.

Old Road is the scene of a derby encounter, involving Briton Ferry and Pontardawe Town, with both sides anxious to pick up the points for different reasons.

While Ferry would welcome a win to kick-start a climb up the table, Pontardawe, with Layton Thomas and Marc Otten back on duty, are still regarded as title candidates.

Having last completed a game on October 29 - they defeated Ammanford 4-1 - in the Shamrock Travel Cup, Pontardawe would welcome a return to action.

Leaders Neath Athletic host Ely Rangers, and manager Andrew Dyer is likely to have both Andy Hill and Steven Pockett back in the side.

Both Hill and Pockett missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Barry Town, but Simon Dyer is likely to give a shoulder injury another week's rest.

Maesteg Park have a fitness doubt surrounding Matthew Rea for their encounter at Taffs Well while, in the second division, Morriston face a difficult task at second-placed Caldicot.

Dingle boss Michael Ellery is still without Michael Gammon, but back in the squad are both Neil Simon and Gregory Williams.

Garden Village head for Merthyr Saints, and manager Robert Lloyd has already ruled out Briton Ferry import Derek Jenkins because of continued ankle problems.

Gwynfi United welcome Ammanford to the Cape and hope young Michael Noakes has recovered from flu, but Paul Rogers misses the game and there is still doubt whether captain John Edwards will be able to get off work.

The Rice Roaders have both Liam Preece and Steven Francis suspended.

Also missing from the line-up will be Nathan McNeil and Gareth Jones.

But the pluses for manager Neil Rees surround the inclusion in his squad of Steve Devonald, Emyr Jones and Lee Jenkins.

In the third division, Cwmaman have signed goalkeeper Matthew Martin from Garden Village ahead of their home fixture with promotion-seeking newcomers Cambrian & Clydach.

The move to draft in Martin has been forced on the Grenig Park side because of continued injury problems surrounding Richie Walton.

Ystradgynlais, buoyed by a first league win of the season last time out at AFC Porth, are involved in a basement battle at home to Penrhiwfer. But the Ynyscedwyn Road side have suffered a set-back, with Liam Soroka damaging a knee.

He will be ruled out for several weeks while a suspension hangs over top scorer Craig Hopkins, but Dave Miller and Ioan King have both declared themselves fit.

Seven Sisters hope to have Chris Herdman back for their home match with Cwmbran Celtic.

Seven are in West Wales Senior Cup action on Sunday against Ragged School at Landore (2pm).

Neath Athletic, Macron Welsh League first division leaders, are hoping to have David D'Auria back for tomorrow's clash with Barry Town in Treforest.

The former Swansea City midfielder missed last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Maesteg Park because of injury, along with top-scorer Simon Dyer. Dyer is once more ruled out and the Llandarcy Park side will also be missing Steven Pockett, who sits out a one-match ban.

Maesteg Park host Goytre United, who will once again be without suspended goalkeeper Gareth Scantlebury. Young Ross Williams again deputises.

Afan Lido have switched their fixture with Dinas Powys to Princess Margaret Way, and former Swansea City player Luke Harrington is set to make a home debut.

The Seasiders included former Pontardawe player Carl Edwards in their squad for a first time but, on the debit side, Carl Evans is likely to be ruled out until Christmas with an ankle injury.

Pontardawe Town have Steve Crabbe back in their squad for the visit to second-placed Bryntirion.

Last winter, during their championship-winning campaign Pontardawe lost 4-1 at the ground - their heaviest defeat of the season.

Bryntirion introduced former Swansea City goalkeeper Alex Davies in goal at Briton Ferry last month, and they have another ex-Swan in midfielder Damian Lacey.

Two sides desperately seeking points clash at Cold Bath Road, with Caerleon facing Briton Ferry.

Ferry possess a decent record at the ground. Since returning to the top tier in 2002, have picked up a win and two draws there.

One of the main games in the second division is at Stafford Common with Garden Village hosting second-placed Croesy- ceiliog.

Robert Lloyd's side, fresh from a 3-1 success in Abertillery, may be bolstered by the return of defender Nicholas Romanello, but former Briton Ferry striker Derek Jenkins is sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Morriston boss Michael Ellery is able to send out a strong side at home to Gwynfi United.

The only definite absentee against the Cape men will be Neil Simon, although they are likely to run a fitness test on Michael Gammon.

Gwynfi have Port Talbot-based teenager Michael Noakes out with flu, while goalkeeper Liam Wolfe suffered a training mishap this week.

Ammanford have Steven Francis suspended for their clash with Caerau Ely at Rice Road.

The only other slight doubt for the Carmarthenshire side revolves around striker Emyr Jones, but the ex-Drefach man is likely to play.

Caerau Ely, who are at the centre of a league inquiry surrounding ineligible players, lost 9-1 last time out at Penrhiwceiber.

In the third division, West End have signed midfield player Anthony Wright from Llanelli ahead of their trip to Blaenrhondda.

It forms a return to Pryderi Park for Wright, who has taken in stints with Liverpool, Oxford United and Cwmbran Town before heading for Stebonheath.

The introduction of Wright comes against a background of the Swansea side losing three players to suspensions - Jeffrey Aspell, David Brown and Rory Smitham.

To make matters worse, top scorer Darren Griffiths is ruled out for three weeks with a nasal problem, while Richard Mansell is unavailable.

Ystradgynlais travel to AFC Porth, with a doubt surrounding top-scorer Craig Hopkins.

Cwmaman are hoping goalkeeper Richie Walton has recovered from a knee injury to face Gwent side Goytre at Grenig Park, while Seven Sisters take a full-strength squad to table-topping Newcastle Emlyn.
 

TONY POOLE

The last unbeaten record in the Welsh League first division was surrendered as leaders Neath Athletic fell to a 2-1 home defeat against bogey side Maesteg Park.

The Old Parish side extended an unbeaten run at Llandarcy Park to five games after two early goals. Maesteg, who had surrendered their unbeaten league tag the week before against champions Ton Pentre, hit the front in the ninth minute.

Gareth Davies headed a Gary Wager goal kick into the path of Robbie Walters and he collected his 14th goal of the season.

A quarter of an hour later, Matthew Rea, Steve Conaty and Paul Jones combined to unlock the home defence, resulting in Scott Conaty knocking in only his second goal for the club.

Both sides had penalty appeals turned down before half-time, but Neath eventually pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.

Ex-Swan Jonathan Keaveny pumped the ball into the penalty area and Andy Hill headed past goalkeeper Wager.

But his eighth goal of the campaign failed to lift Neath, who missed chances galore in the closing stages.

However, for the moment Neath remain well clear of the chasing pack, but working their way through the field are ambitious Bridgend Town.

They won 4-2 at Taffs Well on Friday evening thanks to an Andrew Mainwaring hat-trick along with a strike from Gethin Jones.

The game at the Recreation Ground between Pontardawe Town and Caerleon was abandoned just before half-time with the scoreline blank.

In a curtailed programme, owing to waterlogged pitches and the Welsh Cup, Ton Pentre kept heading in the right direction with a 1-0 home win over Barry Town.

Scott Hayward's 70th-minute goal separated the sides at Ynys Park, while a single strike from Ashley Trow saw AFC Llwydcoed to a 1-0 home victory over Dinas Powys.

In the second division, Garden Village game from a goal down at the break to triumph 3-1 at Abertillery.

The Gwent side led thanks to a David Smith goal, only to have Richard Langley sent off.

Village gradually found their feet in the wet conditions, and Ashley Richards set up a 50th-minute equaliser for Mark Lloyd.

Richards gave the Gorseinon side the lead on the end of a Dale Selvedge cross on the hour, and it remained 2-1 until the 85th minute.

A long clearance from Dave Rimmer then fell to Richards, who wrapped things up with his sixth goal of the campaign.

Ammanford also defied the wet conditions in defeating Porthcawl 1-0 at Rice Road.

The Seasiders carved out some gilt-edged chances early on but Jason Bekker, Christian Pascoe and Del James all missed out.

Those misses came back to haunt Porthcawl when Ammanford took the lead in the 28th minute.

They won a free-kick just outside the box that Cerison Davies curled into the top corner of Will Alston's goal.

In the third division, Cwmaman picked up a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at promotion-seeking Pentwyn Dynamos.

The sides had previously drawn 1-1 at Grenig Park back in September with top scorer Steve Williams on target for the Carmarthenshire side.

And he repeated the feat in the Cardiff suburbs, drilling home a 10th-minute penalty after Paul Pugh had been obstructed.

But five minutes later Pentwyn equalised, ex-Goytre Utd front man Lee Bridgeman beating goalkeeper Richie Walton with a far-post header.

Walton, who was making his first Welsh League appearance of the season owing to injury problems, then made a stunning double save to thwart the former leaders.

Chances came at both ends during a lively second period, but on the journey home Cwmaman reflected on both Jonathan Thomas and Timothy Hendra missing out with one-on-one chances.

Newcastle Emlyn replaced Pentwyn at the top on goal difference courtesy of a 5-1 win over Llantwit Fardre at Central Park.
 

TONY POOLE