Welsh League Division Three

Cwmaman United 2

Cardiff Corinthians 0

Cwmaman climbed from sixth to fourth after an impressive win over promotion rivals Cardiff Corinthians.

The afternoon started badly for the hosts as midfielder Steven Hughes suffered an injury in the warm-up with Marc Lloyd stepping into the breach, but the replacement played a key role in taking United to victory.

The hosts started well, with the pace of Jordan Evans and Liam Soroka on the flanks causing all manner of problems for the visitors.

United almost went ahead when a training ground freekick from David Brown found its way to Soroka who squared to Lloyd, only for the replacement’s effort to fly narrowly over.

Lloyd turned provider on 20 minutes when his corner was headed home by Andrew Bonomi.

Cwmaman should have doubled their advantage before the interval, but the hosts spurned several good chances.

The visitors, who at the start of proceedings led Cwmaman by one place and three points, came out after the break willing to leave gaps in their rearguard as they sought to press forward,

Cwmaman looked to make the most of the open spaces and Bonomi was halted in the penalty area with only the keeper to beat while several other openings went begging.

The Corries enjoyed a purple period of their own and during the ten-minute spell should have equalised only for Mark Snell to pull off two great saves in the home goal while a rasping strike from the visiting front man fizzed narrowly wide.

The Cardiff side were then denied from a corner when Ashley Johns headed clear from the near post.

Cwmaman finally regained control and wrapped up proceedings with ten minutes remaining when, from another corner, Soroka’s ball was headed powerfully home by Lloyd.

Cwmaman had further chances to extend their advantage but the Corries keeper pulled off a string of fine saves.

The win saw United leapfrog the visitors into fourth spot with two games in hand over third-placed Tredegar Town in the final promotion place. Town currently hold a three-point advantage.

Cwmaman entertain Panteg on Saturday (KO 2.30pm).

The Welsh League has announced that Cardiff Grange Harlequins have withdrawn from Division Three with immediate effect. All previous results against the club have been expunged, leaving the promotion race at the top of the league tighter than ever.

Cwmaman United Thirds ran out 5-1 victors against Ynysmeudwy in Neath League Reserve Division One with goals from Brieg Matthews (four) and Matthew Jones.