NEWCASTLE Emlyn maintained their lead at the top of the Costcutter Ceredigion League Premier Division with an emphatic 8-0 victory over a spirited Cardigan Town side on Saturday.

The Reds played some excellent football throughout and were fully deserving of the three points.

Leading the way once again was prolific striker Osian Thomas, who continued his outstanding form with four goals to take his tally for the campaign to 19.

The remaining goals were shared between Mike Glover, Callum Cresser, Josh Bennett and Riley Clemas, who was also named man of the match after an energetic display. There was further encouragement for the league leaders with Kieran Brook making his first league appearance in almost eight months.

The two teams meet again this Saturday when they clash in the League Cup at Parc Emlyn.

Crymych remain three points behind Emlyn with a game in hand following a convincing 5-1 success at Llandysul.

The hosts made the perfect start when James Brown converted a penalty after just five minutes, but Crymych responded impressively. Sam Phillips levelled on 16 minutes after good work from Ross McDonald, before Gavin Thomas completed the turnaround shortly afterwards from a chance created by Dewi Baum.

Crymych tightened their grip on the contest before the interval as Sion Vaughan combined with Rhodri George to make it 3-1.

Any hopes of a Llandysul comeback were effectively ended when Ethan Summerfield was shown a red card midway through the second half. The visitors made their numerical advantage count, with substitute Elliott Bailey-Williams scoring twice late on. Both goals were set up by George, who finished the afternoon with three assists.

Meanwhile, St Dogmaels maintained their perfect league record and stretched their winning run in all competitions to 10 matches with an 8-0 victory over Maesglas at Cae Steffan.

The Saints were on the front foot from the outset and opened the scoring after just three minutes when Rhys Jones turned home a low cross from Gwilym Rees.

Rees then registered a second assist when he set up Louis Harding, before Harding combined neatly with Jack Skeels for the third goal. Jones added his second from the edge of the box and Skeels soon headed home from a Jordan Owens corner.

The scoring continued before the break as both Jones and Skeels completed first-half hat-tricks, with Rees claiming another assist, to send the hosts into half-time with a commanding 7-0 lead.

Maesglas battled hard after the interval and goalkeeper Callum Phillips produced a number of fine saves, but Luke Jones rounded off the scoring in the 75th minute with an excellent long-range strike into the bottom corner.

In Division One, leaders Ffostrasol Reserves saw their advantage trimmed after being held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Dewi Stars.

The hosts looked in control after goals from Steffan Jackson and Andrii Solyliak, but Tomos Lewis reduced the deficit before the break. The Stars then turned things around through a Rupert Geddes penalty and a second goal from the same player following more good work from Lewis. However, Alun Bowen struck back for Ffostrasol to secure a share of the spoils.

Elsewhere, goals from Caden Briddon and Matthew Horsefield earned New Quay a 2-0 victory at St Dogmaels Reserves, while second-placed Llechryd Reserves edged past Pencader United 3-2. Llanon and Felinfach Reserves shared the points in a 1-1 draw.