NEWCASTLE Emlyn’s title hopes were dented in the Costcutter Ceredigion League as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat to second-placed St Dogmaels on Saturday.

The Emrys Morgan Cup winners are now 12 points adrift of frontrunners Lampeter Town and seven adrift of the Saints, but with three games in hand on both.

Owain Thomas’ side have a gruelling run-in as they chase a clean sweep of trophies, and but after a 4-3 win at Crannog in midweek, the Saints proved too strong.

The Reds went ahead with a superb goal by Dion Phillips, whose well-timed shot flew past keeper Carl Woodhouse, but the home side soon hit back when the hard-working Dan Jones found the net.

The game changed on the half-hour when Aaron Williams volleyed home a miscued clearance, and then the Saints went 3-1 up early in the second half when a free kick was floated in by Adam Williams from half way, and sneaked over the head of the keeper for an absolute gift.

The Reds had chances to reduce the deficit as Cory Davies was set up with just the keeper to beat, following a superb run by Phillips, and then Adam Williams cleared a Jake Kelly drive off the goal line.

The final nail in the coffin, however, was hammered home late on as a short corner was passed quickly to Louis Harding and he was given time and space on the edge of the box to pick his spot with aplomb.

Lampeter Town took a giant step towards lifting the Costcutter Ceredigion League title as they edged out Llandysul 2-1 to remain five points ahead of second-placed St Dogmaels with four games left.

Terry Jones’ side played some superb football in the opening half and were denied on several occasions by Swallows keeper Jon Durbridge, but they took the lead when Marc Evans headed home from a corner in the final play of the half.

There was very little to choose between the two teams in the third quarter of the game, but the all-important second goal arrived on the hour mark when Town striker Jason Jones squared the ball to Christy Gale, whose late run from deep was not picked up by his opposite number and he scrambled the ball home.

Lampeter felt they should have had the opportunity to go three up with a big shout for a penalty, but play was waived on, and Llandysul hit back 13 minutes from time to set up an exciting finale.

The right-footed curler from Josh Baker was worth waiting for, and followed a fine passage of play, with Dean Jones and Lewis Jones both instrumental in setting up Baker just outside the penalty box.

Chances were created at both ends late on as the two title challengers went all out for a goal, but the visitors held out.

The race for the title continues this week, with Newcastle Emlyn continuing their hectic schedule of fixtures against Aberaeron Reserves on Monday, Cilgerran on Wednesday, before then playing hosts to St Dogmaels on Saturday.

Lampeter will be looking to cash in on any dropped points by their title rivals when they host Crannog this weekend.

Fourth-placed Crannog are now out of title contention, despite a 5-2 success over an Aberaeron Reserves team - who in midweek had seen their match against Llandysul at Cae Sgwar abandoned after a few minutes following a serious injury to teenager Sam Brammeld, who suffered a broken Femur and damaged knee cap.

In division two Newcastle Emlyn Reserves edged out Aberporth 3-1, with Gethin Harries and Danny Williams on target for the Reds, whilst at Maes Radley the honours were shared in a 1-1 draw between Maesglas and Lampeter Reserves.

Three teams are level on points at the top, although Llanboidy have a game in hand on Bargod and two on Aberporth.

In division three, goals by Bart Kasperski, Iolo Clement, Geth Scourfield and Dafydd Jones helped steer Llanboidy Reserves to a 4-0 win over St Dogmaels Reserves, whilst at Parc Troedrhiw Ffostrasol Reserves beat Maesglas Reserves 2-0.

Cwpan Coffa Dai ’Dynamo’ Davies

CARDIGAN Town secured their place in the semi-finals of the Cwpan Coffa Dai ‘Dynamo’ Davies as they fired six past Llanboidy, to set up a last-four showdown with Newcastle Emlyn next Wednesday.

Ewan Jones, Josh Mellor, Tomos Toft, Llion Williams, Liam James and skipper Ben Davies netted the goals to send the Magpies through.

Their second division opposition were far better than the scoreline suggests, and deserved more than the single goal that was netted by Rhys Jenkins, having made Town work hard for their success.

Meanwhile a goal apiece from Cian Edwards and Adam Jones proved sufficient to see Ffostrasol through for a place in the last four as they won 2-1 against Cilgerran.

They were due to face Llandysul in the first semi-final match at Lampeter on Tuesday evening.

Bay Cup

DEWI STARS have reached the last eight of the Bay Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 win over promotion-seeking Bargod Rangers.

It was the visitors who played all the early football, but it was the hosts that got the breaks and on 20 minutes youngster Oscar Cayo Evans fed veteran Andrew Jones, who tucked away his low shot.

The Stars doubled their lead on the half hour as the quick-thinking William Williams took a free kick on the edge of the box while Bargod were still organising the wall, leaving custodian Geth Davies stranded as he found the corner of the net.

Bargod deservedly halved the deficit when Rhydian Davies ghosted in between a static Stars defence to finish off well, and they could have easily equalised soon after when a misplaced back pass was brilliantly turned away for a corner by Rhodri Edwards in Stars’ goal.

This save proved vital as just before half time Stars regained their two-goal lead as Liam Jones finished off a good move with a low drive into the bottom corner.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Bargod pressing, but the Stars held firm until the 75th minute when Mathew Evans was first to react to a loose ball after Rhodri Edwards’ had made the initial save to set up an exciting finale.

Both sides had clear cut chances as the game opened up, but the Stars held on for victory, and another home tie against the winners of Aberporth and New Quay.

• Dewi Stars Youths completed an excellent week as they reached the League Cup Final for the third consecutive year.

On Thursday they beat holders Ffostrasol 3-1 with two excellent strikes by Rupert Geddes and one by Ewan Bowden. Sion Evans replied from the spot.

Then on Monday, in their semi-final, they won 3-0 at Dihewyd against Felinfach, with Callum Wilson, Rupert Geddes and Oscar Cayo Evans being on target.

The Stars will go on to face Newcastle Emlyn Youths in the final on 30 April.