MANAGER Hugh Clarke anticipates plenty of twists and turns this season after his Llanidloes Town team consolidated second position in the MMP Mid Wales League division one with a 1-1 draw against Llanfair United at Victoria Avenue.

Victory would have taken the Daffs top, but they had to settle for a point after a Peter Rees opener in the second half was quickly cancelled out by Josh Astley in an entertaining encounter.

Llani remain well placed to mount a title challenge this term, and want to keep up the pressure at home to lowly Churchstoke on Saturday.

“It’s a long winter and there are going to be lots of twists and turns,” said Clarke. “There are four or five teams who could be right up there come the end.

“All you need is a good run after Christmas, but at the moment we’re happy with where we are and with points we have on the board.

“We were decent against Llanfair, we showed plenty of energy, and it was a really good game for the neutral.

“They had chances, they hit the bar early on, but we had the more clear-cut opportunities, which you’ve got to take against the better sides. I think they would be happier with their point.”

Llani, looking far more invigorated than the week before against Llandrindod Wells, failed to capitalise on a couple of one-on-one chances through Rees and Llion Jenkins in each half.

The deadlock was finally broken after the break when Rees smashed the ball into the net from 12 yards following a goalmouth scramble.

That lead was soon wiped out, however, as Llanfair hit back through Astley, who finished off following a corner kick and, despite the efforts of both sides, that was how the scoring finished.

Josh Astley hit the crossbar for Llanfair and Mark Richards pulled off a good save late on to secure the draw.

Three games in a gruelling week saw several players pick up knocks and injury niggles, so Clarke will be assessing their fitness ahead of the Churchstoke game.

• Earlier in the week, Llanidloes kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 4-3 win away at Llandrindod Wells.

The sides had been involved in a goalless draw at Victoria Avenue the Saturday before, but this time the goals flowed helped by some slack defending at times.

Connor Bird scored twice, and Ed Clarke netted with a free kick, before assistant boss Adam Worton headed in the winning goal to settle a fluctuating encounter.

Ryan Sims scored twice for the Wellmen, and Michael Collister also found the net.Tywyn travelled to take on leaders Caersws in midweek and first half goals from the home side’s Rhydian Davies and Elliot Jones, followed by a second half brace from Phil Jones sealed a convincing 4-0 win for the Bluebirds.Llansantffraid Village and Welshpool Town meanwhile shared the spoils in an action-packed 10-goal thriller at Treflan in division one on Tuesday night. Rob Carruthers netted twice with Nathan Prodger, Nathan Buckley and Jake Harris also target for the hosts, whilst two goals from Will Thomas and singles from Ricky Litchfield, Steve Jones and Ian Probert earned Pool a point in an entertaining 5-5 draw.In other midweek action, a last minute penalty from George Mitten earned Berriew a battling 1-0 win over Carno.