TITLE contenders Cardigan Town notched a 4-0 win at Dewi Stars, to keep them hot on the heels of Costcutter Ceredigion Leagues leaders St Dogmaels - but the youthful hosts still gave a good account of themselves last weekend.

The Stars had opened the match brightly and two gilt-edged chances early on saw Rhodri Morgan put his first effort wide of an empty goal, and then minutes later he hit the crossbar for the home side.

Cardigan responded, however, and on the half hour took the lead when James Evans curled in a beauty from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the net.

John Lumb doubled the lead before the interval with a powerful header from a corner, but the Stars stuck to their task and did not allow their heads to go down.

David Beck won the chase for a loose ball, but sub Steve Blackford read the danger and was able to clear from the line.

Liam Doherty finally got on the scoresheet when he pounced on a defensive slip to make the result safe, and Ben Davies then hit a screamer to complete the scoring - but not before Steff Marston made a magnificent save from a Gethin Thomas long range effort to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.

Cardigan were deserved winners, but the Stars, who had nine youth players in their squad, could take heart from a much-improved performance as they strive to remain in the top division.

Rhys Jenkins had scored four goals as Llanboidy crushed Dewi Stars 8-0 seven days earlier, with Dafydd Jones, Dafydd Vaughan, Dafydd Makepeace and Ewan Jones also on target.

Leaders St Dogmaels were forced to come from a goal down to overcome the challenge of Felinfach, and consolidate their six point lead at the top with a 5-1 win.

Lewis Evans fired the Milkmen ahead in the opening half, and they could well have doubled this lead - but this all changed after the break when outstanding midfielder Rhys Jones equalised and very soon afterwards he added a second.

Further goals from youngster Harvey Williams, Adam Williams and Peter Almond made it 5-1 as the league leaders dominated, and they hit the woodwork on three occasions in the second half.

Fourth-placed Lampeter Town meanwhile notched a 2-0 home success over neighbours Llandysul, with Robert Slawkovski and Christy Gale providing the goals.

Lampeter had also picked up points in their festive fixture as goals from Gethin Hunter, Jason Jones and Christy Gale sealed a 3-1 win over Felinfach, who scored through Owain Evans.

• In the Ceredigion League Cup a hat-trick by veteran Crannog striker Gary Davies saw them progress into the quarter-finals at the expense of Aberaeron Reserves 4-1.

Ifan-Sion Mason-Evans was also on target for the Llangrannog men, with Harry Holder netting the reply.

Chris Bowen was the hat-trick hero for Llanboidy as they defeated Maesglas 6-0 to reach the last eight. Ewan Jones, with a brace, and Celt Thomas-Jones were also on target for the visiting team.

Crymych meanwhile coasted through to the semi-finals of the competition as they trounced Aberporth 6-0.

Former Maesglas midfielder Llifon Howells led the way with two of the goals and Sion Vaughan, Gethin Evans, Owain Richards and Osian Wyn were also on target for the Preseli outfit

Costcutter Ceredigion Divisions Two and Three

COSTCUTTER Ceredigion division two leaders New Quay made a very positive start to the New Year with a crushing 5-0 win over bottom side Lampeter Reserves.

Hitting the net for the Seasiders was front runner Glenn Baldwin, who bagged a brace, and also on target were Sam Romas, David Evans and Jack Chetwynd.

New Quay had ended the year with a 5-4 defeat to Aberaeron Reserves, despite fining the net through Glenn Baldwin, with a brace, Ollie Edwards and Ellis Denyer.

Aberaeron took the points with goals from Lamin Manjang, who netted a brace, Llewelyn Lloyd, Leighton Daniel and an own goal.

Maesglas had also picked up Boxing Day spoils with a 7-2 win at Bargod Rangers.

Matthew Williams led the way with a hat-trick and Rhodri George, Tom Gardiner, John Midgley and John Williams also scored, with Rhydian Davies and Lyndon Robinson netting the replies.

There was a comfortable 3-1 win for a 10-man Bargod Rangers last weekend, as they beat St Dogmaels Reserves at the School Field.

The visitors, who started the game with only nine men due to several players being unavailable, were indebted to front runner Robbie Jenkins for poaching a couple of goals, and there was one for player-boss Rhydian Davies.

Cardigan Reserves’ recent winning run came to an end in division three as they were edged out 3-1 by Newcastle Emlyn Reserves at the King George field. Ian Hamilton hit a brace, and Ethan Jones also scored for the Reds.

Llanboidy Reserves’ Owain Gibbin helped steer his team to a solid 4-1 success over Maesglas Reserves, with a hat-trick at Cae Dandre, and Ben Harvey also hit the net.

Meanwhile at Tir Y Dref Llandysul Reserves defeated Felinfach Reserves by 2-1.