LAMPETER Town kept their slim championship hopes alive in the Costcutter Ceredigion League as they edged a seven-goal-thriller in their derby against Dewi Stars, in front of another large crowd at Llanddewi.

The Town soon raced into a two-goal lead as Gethin Hunter reacted quicker than anyone else to a loose ball in the box to score, quickly followed by a rare headed goal from Steven Lovell, who met a cross from the right.

Despite fielding a crop of teenagers, it was the Stars’ veteran Andrew Jones who set up the comeback, first of all releasing Steffan Owens, who drilled a low shot from an acute angle, giving keeper Jason Davies no chance.

The Stars drew level with the best goal of the game, as Andrew Jones controlled a high ball and released birthday boy Ben Biddulph to unleash a dipping volley from the edge of the box.

The ball flew in via the underside of the crossbar for his first ever senior goal.

Just before the break, Lampeter regained the lead as Gethin Davies curled in a free kick from 25 yards, just eluding Rhodri Edwards as it flew in off his near post.

The second half was end to end, but Lampeter regained a two goal cushion, when Daniel Harrison netted from a disputed corner.

Back came the Stars and William Williams hit the bar, before he was bundled over in the box. Jason Davies dived superbly to his right to deny Steffan Owens, but the ball rebounded straight to Owens, who gratefully accepted the second chance.

The final 10 minutes were hectic as one team went for the equaliser and then the other to extend their lead, but the game ended in the visitors’ favour as they hope for a Llandysul slip up.

While there were many fine individual performances all over the pitch, there were none better than the battle between the Stars’ young central defensive partnership of Ryan Hurrell and Marc Jones, against the constant threat of Luke Lovell and Gethin Hunter.

League leaders Llandysul coasted to a comfortable 7-0 win over New Quay, but Swallows manager Chris Davies rested a few players with an eye on their crunch Emrys Morgan Cup quarter final match with Crannog.

Davies brought in Danny Williams and Andrew Evans, and it was the latter who provided a superb cross for Ian Barrett to head home after 17 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Evans hit a thunderbolt from 30 yards out, which rebounded off the crossbar, for Lewis Jones to drive home for 2-0.

The second half had barely started when Scott Thomas beat two players and finished brilliantly into the top corner, and further goals came via Adrian Hazelby, Chris Harris, Lewis Jones and Terry Maynard with a well placed volley, following a great ball by Jones.

In division two, a thunderous shot by Ricky Woods-Holmes in the dying minutes snatched Maesglas a 2-2 draw with Llanboidy.

Rhys Jenkins fired in from close range to put the Cae Dandre boys in front, but after the break Maeslgas’ man of the match Billy Myers latched on to a flick over the top from Keiran Harman to chip his volley over keeper Bleddyn Williams for 1-1.

A rash challenge on the edge of the box allowed Chris Bowen to net from a free kick, but in the last few minutes a Harman corner was only half cleared to the edge of the penalty box and Woods-Holmes fired home.

Ffostrasol breezed to a 13-0 win over SDUC, with Carwyn Morgan helping himself to four of the goals.

There was also a hat-trick for Gwynfor Bowen, whilst Gethin Davies bagged a brace and Marc Bowen, Dion Davies, Dafydd Morgan and Iolo Thomas also got onto the scoresheet.