MACHYNLLETH Reserves moved three points clear of the foot of the Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth and District League division one table with a thrilling 7-2 win at Padarn United, who finished the match with nine men.

The wet conditions failed to dampen spirits and Mach raced into a 1-0 lead as Alex Jarman fired home, but as the half progressed both teams created chances.

Padarn were reduced to 10 men when Drew Page ran across the shoulder of last defender Tony Mainwaring, and was impeded, and from the free kick Ryan Jones scored, after a scramble.

Machynlleth extended their lead further when Callum Page took the ball past the keeper to tap home, and just before the end of the first half, a clinical header from Paul Jones made it 4-0.

Padarn battled back after the interval to reduce the deficit to 4-3, with Paul James completing a well-taken hat-trick, but the game took another twist as they were reduced to nine men when Billy Williams picked up two yellow cards for a foul and then dissent.

Mach found their feet again and Dez Roberts struck a sweetly taken free kick into the left corner to make it 5-3, and then from a right wing cross Jake Hinge scrambled the ball over the line after the goalkeeper had saved the first attempt.

In the closing stages Drew Page went one on one with the keeper to score a delightful chip, but there was still time for Padarn to convert a late penalty, by sending the keeper the wrong way.

Tywyn/Bryncrug Reserves registered a 4-1 win over Penparcau in the second round of the Len and Julian Newman Memorial Trophy, with goals from Ben Holt, with a brace, Ethan Rodgers and Sion Edwards. Dylan Bailey replied.