NEWCASTLE Emlyn, who are one of the fancied sides to lift the Emrys Morgan Cup this season, had to dig deep before they sneaked through with a 1-0 home win against 2015 winners Cardigan Town.

The Magpies had started brightly, with Ewan Jones, Tomos Toft and Josh Mellor causing a few problems to keep Reds’ keeper Dawid Rutkowski on his toes.

It was the hosts, however, who took the lead as a long range effort from Emlyn defender Mathew Goodman, from a contentious free kick, hit the roof of the net, with the bounce beating the Cardigan keeper.

The Reds enjoyed several chances after this, with Cory Davies and Daniel Davies working well down the flanks, and Dion Phillips was unlucky when his well-timed shot bounced back off the woodwork.

The Magpies pushed for a score after the break and keeper Rutkowski was forced to make a number of timely interventions as Jones and Mellor went close, whilst at the other end, new signing from Llandysul Adrian Hazelby whipped in a cross for Jake Kelly, whose header hit the post.

St Dogmaels will also fly the flag for the Costcutter Ceredigion League after they coasted to a 10-0 home win over Felindre, and the contest was pretty much over after half an hour with the Saints 4-0 ahead.

The mid-Wales side, who had taken almost three and a half hours to arrive, never got the journey out of their system and it was easy for the Saints team, who knocked the ball about well, with none better than teen defender Iwan James.

Louis Harding led the way with a hat-trick, Rhys Jones bagged a brace and there were goals also for John Midgley, Luke Jones, Chris Morgan and substitute Jonny James - and the pick of the bunch was a superb strike from full back Morgan.

Maesglas had to endure a long journey north to Four Crosses, and were on the end of a hammering with the home team hitting double figures in a big 11-1 win.

Jamie Evans netted four of these whilst there was a hat-trick for Gareth Jones, two for Harry Davies and singles for Shi Miah and Ben Simms. Barry Jones got a reply.

It took extra time to separate Crannog and Aberporth, with the home side eventually coming through for a 4-2 win.

Crannog, beaten finalists three years ago, looked to be on their way out with just a few minutes to go of normal time, but Chris Welch equalised to make it 2-2.

Early on in the game, Crannog had hit the woodwork on two occasions, but the hosts took the lead with a goal that took a deflection off an Aberporth defender.

The Airmen hit back with goals from Reece Prowse and Daniel Davies, with the latter beating keeper Arwel Morgan with a delicate chip - but with just a minute to go a free kick was floated into the box by Welch and the ball sneaked into the net.

The visitors had to play with a man down in extra time, with Prowse going off injured, and Crannog made the most of their advantage to seal the win with goals by Robbie Evans and George Colven.

Dewi Stars made the trek to Llanboidy worthwhile as they recorded a well earned 3-0 success, with all their goals being scored in the opening 20 minutes.

Siencyn Jones set up Arwel Jones for the opening goal on five minutes, with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box

The same combination doubled the lead when Arwel Jones got his second with an excellent near post header from a corner.

It was 3-0 on 20 minutes, as Daniel Owen and Gethin Williams combined to set up William Williams, who hit fine 20 yard effort into the roof of the net.

Llanboidy eventually settled, and stretched the Stars defence on more than one occasion, but for once the Llanddewi rearguard held firm to keep a clean sheet.

A hat-trick from talented teen Scott Davies helped steer Costcutter Ceredigion League leaders Lampeter through against a full of fight New Quay with a 7-2 win.

Davies was one of a number of young players whom impressed, along with Leon Holmes, Tom Willoughby and Szymon Konwiak. Midfielder Marc Evans was also in good form and he bagged a couple of goals, whilst there were goals also for Robert Slawkowski and Willoughby. Outstanding in midfield for Lampeter were Evans and Christy Gale.

New Quay, who hit back with a superb strike from Charles Harvey and a fine solo effort from Cameron Jeff, could only muster 10 men for the kick-off and were three goals down within five minutes. However when they were fully restored to 11 men they made the visitors work hard.

Goals from Rhys Davies, Joe Jenkins, Owain Dafydd and Rhys Jon earned Felinfach a 4-2 win against Llandrindod Wells Reserves 4-2, who replied through Connor Phrane and Luke Evans, whilst Ffostrasol beat Aberaeron Reserves 3-2.

Elsewhere Hay St Marys Reserves were unable to raise a side to play Bargod Rangers, and SDUC also failed to raise a side to face Newtown Wanderers.

CAMBRIAN TYRES LEAGUE TIES

PADARN United emphatically marched on into the next round of the Emrys Morgan Cup as they registered a solid 7-1 win over Carno Reserves, in a game which they dominated from the first minute.

Paul James thought he had put the home side ahead, only to be ruled to be offside, but then Jason Davies opened the scoring.

Carno’s Tom Goodman pulled the score back to 1-1 with a long range effort, but Padarn took charge before the interval, with Jason Davies completing his hat-trick along with a goal from Tegid Owen.

Padarn rolled out the subs at half time, replacing the returning and influential Ciaran Cotter with Paul Griffiths, who made an instant impact when he made it 5-1.

Billy Williams also came on at half time and raced away from the Carno left back to hammer the ball home to make it 6-1, and captain Richard Williams stepped up to slot home a penalty to round off a convincing win for the yellow and greens.

Tregaron Turfs will also fly the flag for the Aberystwyth and District League after a hat-trick from Llyr Davies and an Ifan Jones goal earned them a solid 4-1 win at home against Llanfyllin Town.

Borth Reserves crashed out with an emphatic 9-0 defeat to Guilsfield Reserves, who took charge with doubles from Mark Davies and Danny Barton, singles from George Clifton, John Lloyd and Harry Garthwaite, as well as two own goals.

Aberystwyth University Reserves bowed out with a 6-4 defeat at Llanrhaeadr Reserves, despite goals by Callum Simons, Nathan Ash, Jamie Stuart and Dan Price. A Huw France hat-trick and goals from Mikey Roberts, Marcus Vaughan and Kieran Edmunds secured the win.

Llanon were hammered 11-0 at home by Bishops Castle, with hat-tricks scored by Sam Jones and Gaz Bromley, two goals from Martyn Ziemann, singles by Jake Ellis and George Mellor, and an own goal.

Builth Wells Reserves beat Llanilar 2-1, courtesy of a Shaun Claridge free-kick and a last gasp winner by Dave Thomas.

Talybont’s match against Forden was postponed due to an unfit pitch, whilst Knighton Reserves failed to raise a side to play Penrhyncoch Reserves, and Kerry Reserves failed to travel to Aberdyfi.