JONATHAN Evans continued his good run of form with a brace as Penrhyncoch returned to the summit of the Spar Mid Wales League division one with a solid 4-0 victory over Aberaeron at Cae Baker.

After the match had been given the go-ahead despite recent heavy rain, the Roosters made the most of their action as they moved ahead of joint leaders Carno and Welshpool Town on goal difference.

Evans, who had rejected an approach from a Welsh Premier club earlier in the week, scored in each half, whilst Mattie Davies, against his old club, and Nathan Warren also netted for unbeaten Penrhyn.

“Jonny’s really enjoying his football at the moment, and it says a lot that he’s turned down a big money offer from a Welsh Premier club to stay with us,” said Penrhyncoch player-boss Gari Lewis.

“All the boys were fantastic, and deserve a lot of credit for their performance in tough conditions. We had five or six out, including our two regular centre halves, but we defended intelligently to minimise any chances for Aberaeron, and Lee Jenkins didn’t have much to do in goal.”

With Jon Foligno still sidelined through illness and university student Aiden Nyhus on his break, the Roosters had to ring the changes at the back with Matt Mousley relishing his opportunity in defence.

Penrhyn also had to contend with the absence of Owain James, Arron Lemon, Bari Morgan and Liam James, but they showed their strength of depth as they secured a convincing win, with Josh Shaw putting in a real captain’s performance.

With the wind at their backs and playing down the slope in the first half, Aberaeron looked to capitalise, but for the most part, they were limited to just a couple of efforts on goal, with Gareth Evans having one shot deflected away for a corner.

The Roosters were on their way after taking a 16th minute lead when Evans, playing in the pocket behind front man Davies, fired into the far corner of the net.

It was in the second half that they made their superiority count with the elements in their favour, as Davies marked a fine display up front by increasing the lead nine minutes into the second period.

Four minutes later Evans notched his second of the game when latching onto a long clearance from keeper Lee Jenkins, before lobbing the keeper from distance.

A fourth goal arrived on 64 minutes with another fine strike from Warren to seal a victory that saw Penrhyn underline their worth at both ends of the pitch.

Manager Lewis says that he hopes to have a couple of players back for Saturday’s Central Wales Cup third round trip to Llandrindod, and the Penrhyn boss has also revealed that he is poised to strengthen his squad this week by bringing in a versatile forward from a local rival.