CARDIGAN Town striker Ewan Jones netted the only goal of the game to earn the Magpies a narrow 1-0 win at the King George - but if it had not been for the sportsmanship of Dewi Stars linesman Eurig Pugh it may have ended goalless.

Referee Peter Wilson had initially ruled that the goal bound shot by Jones had not crossed the line, but Pugh signalled otherwise, and the goal was then awarded.

“It was great sportsmanship by the away team’s linesman in giving it, as the ball hit the inner wheel of the goal and bounced out, and the referee was unsighted,” said Cardigan’s manager Ceri Adams Lewis.

“I think we deserved the win, but it was a far tougher game than we had expected, and we didn’t create many clear-cut chances - but fair play to the Stars, because they made us work very hard.”

Scoring chances were scarce in the wet and slippery conditions, but to their credit both teams attempted to knock the ball about and the lively Stars could well have had something out of this encounter.

Their young side, held together by veteran midfielder Andrew Jones, played some good football throughout, but the first real chance fell to one of the Magpies’ teenagers in Llion Williams, who was unfortunately denied by the woodwork.

Williams also forced Stars’ goalkeeper Rhodri Edwards into a superb save midway through the second half, but the visiting team came back well, with Ifan Thomas impressing in midfield, along with Oscar Evans and Rupert Geddes.

The Cardigan goal arrived with 15 minutes to go when, from a scramble on the edge of the box, Jones managed to hook the ball towards goal as he fell to the ground, and despite the best efforts of keeper Edwards, it crossed the line.

At the other end, Geddes forced keeper Steff Marsden into making a fine save, but just before the end Jones almost made it 2-0 when his fine shot came off the post.

Costcutter League leaders Lampeter Town pulled further away at the top of the table as nearest rivals St Dogmaels and Newcastle Emlyn were left kicking their heels, due to a waterlogged pitch.

Lampeter were well worth their 4-1 success way at Cae Sgwar against an Aberaeron Reserves outfit that was strengthened by the addition of a few first teamers.

Town took an early lead when Robert Slawkowski fired home from the edge of penalty box, and Lampeter enjoyed a fistful of scoring chances during the gane.

Slawkowski almost made it 2-0 after the half-time break when he made a powerful run down the right flank and blasted his shot past the keeper, only to see his shot stop in a puddle on the goal line.

Ten minutes later Szymon Konwiak did make it 2-0 with a powerful header from a corner, and Jason Jones killed the game off as he latched onto a great through ball from left winger Scott Davies to score.

Jones rounded the keeper and slotted home for 4-0, before the Seagulls hit back with a consolation from the penalty spot.

Reigning league champions Llandysul gained sweet revenge for a defeat earlier in the season by Felinfach, but they had to work very hard for a last-gasp 3-2 win.

Carwyn Morgan, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, put the Swallows ahead in the opening half, and then Chris Harries doubled the lead on the hour.

The Milkmen hit back from the penalty spot, and with Llandysul down to 10 men they took full advantage to level matters.

Felinfach should have gone ahead soon afterwards but a fantastic save by goalkeeper Jon Durbridge saved the day.

Llandysul were thwarted by some great saves, before a winner finally arrived when Josh Baker tapped home from close range with the last play of the game.

• In the Costcutter League Cup an extra time winner from Jae Shae earned Bargod Rangers a 5-4 win over Crannog, to set up a home quarter final tie against rivals Newcastle Emlyn. Jaydyn Lynch and Josh Grota had bagged a brace of goals apiece.

This weekend’s Costcutter Ceredigion League Fixtures: Saturday, 27 January:

Division One: Aberaeron Res v Cardigan; Dewi Stars v Felinfach; Lampeter v Crannog St Dogmaels v Llandysul.

Division Two: Aberporth v Llanboidy; Bargod v Llandysul Res; Maesglas v Lampeter Res; New Quay v NC Emlyn Res.

Division Three: Felinfach Res v Maesglas Res; Llanboidy Res v St Dogmaels Res; SDUC v Ffostrasol Res. League Cup Second Round: Ffostrasol v Cilgerran.

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