MATTY Davies netted a hat-trick as Aberaeron eased to a solid 4-1 win over Machynlleth, to move up to sixth place in the Spar Mid Wales division one.

On a wet and windy January afternoon, Aberaeron were keen to avenge their defeat at Machynlleth earlier in the season, and there were welcome returns for Dan James and Ryan Jones from their travels, as well as James Hemmings following his groin injury.

The home side started well, playing excellent football and taking the game to their opponents high up the pitch with slick passing and movement.

Their play was rewarded as Davies netted a brace after 10 minutes, such was Aberaeron’s dominance of the ball.

Some short passing in midfield opened up space down the wing for David Evans, who turned inside and fed Davies to direct his effort at the near post high into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later Davies received the ball in the area with his back to goal, but the Mach defence allowed him to turn without any pressure and he fired home well into the bottom corner.

Aberaeron continued to terrorise the Machynlleth defence and scored a third courtesy of the best move of the match.

Ryan Jones won the ball well in defence and released the lively Gareth Evans, who carried the ball forward and passed inside for Mikey Gornall who, in turn, released the overlapping Gareth Lewis to score with a deft finish.

The second half saw Machynlleth gain a foothold in the game as the home side released their foot off the gas, and the game deteriorated with some petty fouls and needless bookings conceded.

Aberaeron gave away a penalty when Barry Edwards brought down a Machynlleth forward, and he was then booked for questioning this decision

The penalty was dispatched by Sion Williams in to the top corner of the net, which raised the hopes of the visitors.

Within minutes of the restart a hopeful ball over the home defence saw the Mach striker through on goal, only for keeper Barry Edwards to race out of his area and foul the onrushing forward.

The referee had no option but to brandish a second yellow card to Edwards, and the hosts were down to 10 men.

Ryan Jones put on the gloves and performed well in goal, with a couple of good saves and timely aerial punches.

This seemed to inject some urgency into the hosts and Davies completed his hat-trick to seal a convincing victory.

• BOW STREET moved up to fourth place in the division one table as a first half hat-trick from Llion Jenkins sealed a solid 3-0 away win at Radnor Valley.

Jenkins scored three headers to put the Magpies in control, and they then kept things tight in the second period.