HAT TRICKS for Croesyceiliog’s Jody Jenkins and Monmouth Town’s Phil Tranter featured as five of the county’s top seven scorers managed to improve their season’s goal tally.

Leading the way is Ross Fowler, whose goal double in the 2-2 home, Division Three draw with Port Talbot-based Corus Steel took him to 15, while Jenkins and Tranter moved onto 13 and 12 respectively.

Jenkins’ treble came in the 4-0 victory over visiting Division Two rivals Porthcawl Town, with Tranter’s efforts coming in the 5-2 home success over Division Three strugglers Cwmamman United.

However, some clubs’ discipline was below standard, with no fewer than six players sent off – Llanwern and Risca United being the biggest culprits, each with two red-carded.

But the day belonged to much-travelled Jenkins and Tranter, formerly of Caerleon and Newport YMCA.

Because part of their pitch is used for cricket, Croesyceiliog were appearing at home in the league for the first time this season and began on the back of the previous Saturday’s shock 3-1 away defeat at the hands of Maesteg Park.

But 90 minutes later they were worthy victors over a Porthcawl side now managed by veteran former Cardiff City and Newport County boss Eddie May.

Such was their dominance – plus the fact goalkeeper Ben Banks denied Jenkins and Anthony Southard on numerous occasions – that no-one from the visitors could have complained if the home side had won 10-1.

Jenkins also struck the crossbar before the interval, while only desperate defending by Porthcawl prevented a much heavier defeat.

Having explained that, Porthcawl had their moments and certainly should have reduced the arrears on 53 minutes when Daniel Harris struck Croesyceiliog’s crossbar with a penalty.

Jenkins’ second goal after 32 minutes would have graced a much higher level of football and was even worthy of serious consideration for inclusion on any goal-of-the-season list.

A fine six-strong passing move saw the ball swept out wide right with Ryan Fahey delivering an inviting cross between two defenders and there was the much smaller Jenkins soaring above them to head powerfully home – making the score 3-0 and effectively killing the game off.

The outcome elevated Croesyceiliog two positions to 10th, just three points off a top-three spot.

“This was a superb win and we are delighted because we were very disappointed to have lost in the manner we did at Maesteg,” said Croesyceiliog chief Gareth Morgan.

“The lads responded tremendously well and we are really pleased because there were questions asked after our defeat.

“Well, this display answers them, and we are also extremely happy with our first league clean sheet.”

Tranter’s treble was supplemented by goals from Andrew Smith (penalty) and Sam Palmer as Monmouth eased up three places to fifth, with now as many victories from nine starts.

In Division One, Caldicot Town lost 5-3 at Taffs Well while struggling Caerleon travelled to visit Bryntirion Athletic but returned 2-0 losers and slipped a couple of places to 16 of 18.

Richard Sharratt, Gareth Cullimore and Dominic Conner found the net for Caldicot, but former Newport County and Cwmbran Town winger Tyrone Toppar scored a hat trick for Taffs Well while Caerleon also had striker Danny Cueto sent off.

In Division Two, Llanwern saw Michael Aviss and Mike Vaux both red-carded during an incident-packed 3-3 home draw with the students of UWIC.

Aviss headed Llanwern level at the break, but within three minutes of the restart UWIC scored twice to go 3-1 ahead.

But after Richard Shire had reduced the arrears, Llanwern’s top scorer, Marcus Power, fired in his ninth goal of the campaign from the penalty spot to snatch a deserved point for the Newport Stadium outfit.

Cwmbran Town were sixth before they hosted struggling AFC Llwydcoed, but are now eighth after they had Anthony Parsons dismissed in a 2-0 reverse, but there was better news for close rivals Cwmbran Celtic.

They’ve leaped up a couple of positions to second thanks to the goals from Owen Llewellyn (2) and Shaun Matthews, which accounted for visiting Llangeinor 3-0.

Tredegar are 10th, Ryan Carniff and Gareth Stevens on the mark in the 2-2 home draw with Cardiff Bay Harlequins, while new Newport YMCA manager Simon Pratt saw his side grab a 1-1 home draw against Ammanford, Faris Yafai scoring at Mendalgief Road.

Former player Pratt landed in the hot seat following the departure of Bristol-based Bill Meehan, who was only appointed in the summer, by mutual consent.

“With up to nine clubs possibly being relegated at the end of the season, the club felt it had a shortage of regular first-team squad members and needed boosting,” said YMCA chairman Viv Edwards.

“The club sees the way forward with someone with local football knowledge, and we have appointed Simon Pratt as manager and he will be assisted by Paul Ingles with Craig James and Darren Porretta installed as coaches.

“We all appreciate the efforts of Bill Meehan and wish him well.”

Goytre retained second spot in Division Three after a 75th-minute goal from Craig Jolliffe earned them a 1-0 home success over Briton Ferry Athletic, but Newport Civil Service scored via Luke Wittingham in falling to a surprise 2-1 home defeat at the hands of strugglers Troedyrhiw.

Risca United looked nailed on for three points when they led visiting pointless Garw 2-1 with goals from Liam Havard and Mike Mears.

However, after John Payne and Chris Thomas were sent off, Garw recovered to win 3-2 and end a run of seven successive wins since the start of the campaign.

l Dates for the two outstanding Gwent Senior Cup quarter-finals have been announced.

Caerleon will host Caldicot Town on Sunday, October 25, kick-off 2.00pm, with the winners scheduled to visit Monmouth Town in the semi-finals.

In the other last-eight clash, holders Newport Civil Service will host last season’s runner-up Cwmbran Celtic on Sunday, November 15, kick-off 2.00pm, with the victors entertaining Abertillery Bluebirds in the semis.

Hot shots: 15 – Ross Fowler (Aberbargoed Buds). 13 – Jody Jenkins (Croesyceiliog); Scott Lanyon (Cwmbran Celtic); Jason Thorn (Caldicot Town). 12 – Phil Tranter (Monmouth Town). 10 – Gareth Cullimore (Caldicot Town). 9 – Marcus Power (Llanwern). 7 – Owen Goodenough (Abertillery Bluebirds); Chris Watkins (Goytre). 6 – Graham Mason (Goytre); Richard Sharratt (Caldicot Town). 5 – Daniel Bailey (Newport Civil Service); Matthew Bowen (Monmouth Town); Lewis Clark (Abertillery Bluebirds); Daniel Edwards (Newport YMCA); Craig Jolliffe (Goytre); Owen Llewellyn (Cwmbran Celtic); Kristian Powell (Cwmbran Town); Benny Preece (Aberbargoed Buds); Luke Sallis (Cwmbran Celtic); Brendan Scott (Risca United). 4 – Michael Aviss (Llanwern); Matthew Lawrence (Newport Civil Service); David Lloyd (Caldicot Town).

Clean sheets: 5 – Aberbargoed Buds. 4 – Newport Civil Service. 3 – Cwmbran Celtic; Newport YMCA. 2 – Caerleon, Caldicot Town, Croesyceiliog; Goytre, Tredegar Town. 1 – Abertillery Bluebirds, Cwmbran Town, Llanwern, Monmouth Town, Risca United.