Brecon boys edged out in a thriller

Brecon Corries were left feeling the blues after suffering a 4-3 defeat to Croesyceiliog in a dramatic Elite Stands UK Ardal South East encounter.

The first league fixture of the season at the Rich Field took place while the town's annual jazz festival was in full swing just a short distance away.

The teams had served-up a 5-5 thriller in last season's clash but a repeat performance was looking unlikely after a goalless opening half-hour.

Corries made a strong start with Corey Evans' low 30-yard free-kick being held at the second attempt by Josh Winstone in the Croesyceiliog goal.

Joel Evans headed wide of the target from a corner before Craig Evans' inviting low cross into the danger area was deflected behind for a corner.

The visitors gradually found their way into the match and began to create their own opportunities. Rhys Brown's 24th-minute effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked prior to Jordan Hill directing his 25-yard half-volley wide of goal.

Michael Passmore's deflected strike was saved by Steve Price. Craig Evans struck the woodwork with a half-volley on the half-hour mark, with Jay Hughes heading the rebound over the crossbar.

The hosts broke the deadlock when skipper Dale Evans met Mitchell Davies's corner with a bullet header.

Croesyceiliog were back on level terms within three minutes when Owen Llewellyn met Alfie Foster's pullback with a crisp first-time finish to beat Price.

Corries regained the lead three minutes before the interval when Craig Evans beat Winstone with a low drive.

The Cockerels responded with a couple of opportunities of their own. Foster fired over from the edge of the area prior to Jude Bull directing an effort wide of the target.

The visitors were back on level terms three minutes into the second-half when Brown drove towards the penalty area and his low 25 yard drive nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Dale Evans was in the right place, moments after the restart, to clear the ball off the line as Croesyceiliog pushed for a third goal.

The visitors went close again when a low cross from the left was deflected past the near post by Brown.

Corries went close to regaining the lead when Winstone denied Joel Evans from close-range.

It was the turn of Craig Evans to go close for the hosts as he directed a header wide of the far post.

There was somewhat of a lull in the proceedings before a dramatic finale.

Croesyceiliog took the lead for the first time in the 78th minute when Brown latched on to a well-timed pass from Tyler Broom before maintaining his composure to lift the ball over Price. The Rich Field club saw penalty appeals turned down three minutes later when they felt Craig Evans' shot was handled by an opponent.

Corries thought they had claimed a share of the spoils with six minutes remaining when a ball played into the penalty area was not cleared and substitute Leo Davies pounced to put the hosts back on level terms.

But there was one further twist to the proceedings when Llewellyn headed home his second goal of the afternoon from an 86th-minute corner to hand the initiative back to the Torfaen outfit.

Corries had a second penalty appeal turned down before a shot from Joel Evans was turned over the crossbar in stoppage-time.