BORTH United crashed to their seventh defeat from nine games in the Spar Mid Wales division one as a hat-trick from Knighton's Connor Bird sentenced them to an emphatic 7-1 home defeat.

In their first competitive match for six weeks on their Uppingham Fields pitch, Borth had found themselves trailing under grey skies as Connor Bird found the net with a low shot beyond goalkeeper Jamie Evans after 15 minutes.

The visiting side doubled their lead on the half hour as the impressive Adam Farmer was allowed to volley passed Evans at the far post.

The visitors kept up their pressure as the opening half progressed, but Borth managed to restrict Knighton to just a two goal lead at the interval.

After the interval, however, and Connor Bird scored his second goal with a cool finish, although Borth, in one of their rare forays into the visitors’ penalty area, allowed Clive Morgan to fire home with a low strike.

Any hope of a Borth recovery were quickly dashed as Adam Farmer scored with a low drive, and as Knighton pressed relentlessly forward Bird scored after a mix-up in the home side’s defence for his well-deserved hat trick.

As full time approached Sam Williams scored twice more for Knighton to complete an emphatic victory.

Machynlleth were also crushed 7-0 at home to in-form Welshpool Town as hat-tricks from Ricky Litchfield and Ian Probert and an Adam Davies goal saw the Lilywhites climb to the top of the division one table.

Kerry’s losing run continued with a 5-3 home defeat to Tywyn/Bryncrug, despite hitting back from three goals down to level through a Max McGlaughlin hat-trick.

Mark Edmondson also netted a hat-trick for Tywyn, and Tom Allen Davies and Aled Jones also scored goals.

Radnor Valley edged a 1-0 win against Llandrindod Wells, with Ieuan Price netting a second half winner.SPAR MID WALES DIVISION TWOAFTER three defeats, Aberystwyth University got back on winning track in the Spar Mid Wales League division two, courtesy of a 4-1 home win against Talgarth Town.

After a late start to the season, the Aber students are starting to click, and they played some of their best football as they opened up a 4-1 advantage at the interval, before controlling the game in the second period.

George Taylor scored twice, including a fine 20-yard strike, while Tristan Harris and Liam Powell also found the back of the net. A Rob Evans header stopped the rot for Talgarth before a goalless last hour.

A few days earlier, the students felt they were unfortunate to be edged out 2-1 at Presteigne, where an Owain ap Gareth goal had secured them a lead at the interval.

Shaun Harris’ side rallied after the break and they were finally rewarded with 15 minutes to go when Jack Biggs rose above the visitors’ defence to head home from Euan Rhodes’ corner.

Presteigne continued to push on and with only two minutes remaining Matt Strangwood capitalised on a lapse in the Uni defence to score their decisive goal.

On Friday night, Euan Rhodes and Jack Biggs, with a wonder strike, earned Presteigne a 2-1 win over Hay St Mary’s, who equalised through Adi Lawford.

Nathan Prodger and Baile Austin both scored twice as Llansantffraid produced a great performance to beat Brecon Northcote 6-1, with Wayne Austin and Calum Williams also scoring goals.

Richie Powell and Jonathan Samuel scored the goals that earned Builth Wells a 2-0 win at Dolgellau as they moved four points clear.

Elsewhere in division two, Twm Foulkes and Alan Williams earned Dyffryn Banw a 2-2 draw with Montgomery Town, whilst Newbridge beat Penybont 5-1.