CARDIGAN Town suffered one of their heaviest defeats of the season in the Costcutter Ceredigion League division one as they were beaten 5-0 at home by Aberaeron Reserves.

The visitors moved above the Magpies into a position of safety as a result of their fourth league win of the season.

Cardigan fielded a very young side and were without a recognised keeper, but they enjoyed some bright moments in the game through the likes of Tomos Toft, Ben Davies and Josh Mellor, before they lost their way in the second half.

Sam Branell netted twice for the Seagulls, and Llewelyn Lloyd, Jack Chetwynd and Ianto Evans also netted goals.

Dewi Stars meanwhile slumped to their 12th defeat of the season with a 3-1 loss to Crannog, and with only three league games left to play they look to be in serious trouble.

Crannog were just too good on the day as goals from Steffan Jones, Dan Robinson and Marc Davies sealed a well deserved success to move up into the second place in the table.

St Dogmaels, Llandysul and Newcastle Emlyn all have games in hand, however, and will be looking to close the gap on runaway leaders Lampeter.

Meanwhile Cilgerran Rovers failed to raise a team for their scheduled home game against Lampeter Town last weekend.

Division Two leaders Bargod Rangers moved three points clear at the top as they defeated Lampeter Reserves 6-0. Jae Shae completed a well-taken hat-trick, whilst Robbie Jenkins netted twice and there was also a goal for Josh Grota.

In division three, Maesglas Reserves’ 4-3 win over Llanboidy Reserves was sealed by a winner from the penalty spot by player-boss Barry Jones, who completed his hat-trick.

Shane Nicholas also netted for the home side, whilst goals from Elis Williams, Gethin Scourfield and Chris Bowen had kept Llanboidy in touch.

Ffostrasol Reserves meanwhile coasted to an emphatic 11-0 victory against SDUC.

Costcutter Ceredigion League Cup

LLANDYSUL defied the odds to book their place in the Costcutter Ceredigion League Cup Final on Easter Monday with a 2-1 win over St Dogmaels at Bargod.

The Swallows’ playing ranks had been severely depleted mid-season when a number of players from their league and cup winning side departed to pastures new, and any thoughts of adding to their silverware collection were put on hold.

Manager Chris Davies has managed to pick his squad up, however, and the Swallows have turned their season around with the help of some talented youngsters.

They now have a glorious chance to end the campaign with a major trophy when they take on holders Newcastle Emlyn in the final.

St Dogmaels had first use of the wind advantage and they soon settled into their rhythm and enjoyed more of the ball, but most of their shots were well off target.

Llandysul came more into the game in the second quarter and bagged a crucial goal on 25 minutes when a pass from Josh Baker released striker Simon Davies down the flank and he picked out Carwyn Morgan to open the scoring from close range.

The pressure continued from the visitors, but some important headers from the back four of Mark Jones, Dean Jones, Scott Mayes and Sion Price kept them out.

The Saints were awarded a penalty just before the interval for a foul in the box, but an Adam Williams spot kick was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Jon Durbridge.

Llandysul went 2-0 up within a few minutes of the second half, when Morgan finished from close range, after he took full advantage of a mistake in defence.

The Saints went hell for leather in attack in search of a goal to get them back in the game and manager Steve Williams brought on experienced custodian Ioan Owen.

He soon made his presence felt and the Saints pulled a goal back when outstanding skipper Jason Williams headed home from a corner.

It was backs to the wall for Llandysul after this as chance after chance was created, with keeper Durbridge standing tall, and the visitors were very unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty with five minutes to go when Owen was upended.

Newcastle Emlyn meanwhile progressed to a second successive League Cup final as they came from behind to defeat Ffostrasol 3-1.

The Wanderers took the lead with one of their few chances when Alun Bowen fired home, but the Reds dominated possession for most of the opening half.

Former Parc Troedrhiw favourite Dion Phillips set up Adrian Hazelby to level matters just after the break, and Emlyn went ahead soon afterwards when Phillips latched onto a long ball and chipped the ball over the keeper into the empty net.

Ashley Summers completed the scoring midway through the half when he spun his marker to slot home and seal safe passage through to the showpiece Easter Monday final, traditionally held at Aberaeron.