Knighton Town stretch their unbeaten start to the season

Knighton Town maintained their unbeaten start to the Lock Stock Ardal North East campaign following a 1-1 draw with Llanfair United at Bryn-y-Castell.

The early stages of this midweek encounter offered few goalscoring opportunities for either team.

However, the visitors broke the deadlock after eight minutes when the experienced Karl Saliaerts found the back of the net with a low 25 yard free-kick that nestled into the corner of Ben Davies' net.

Knighton Town, who were without the influential Luke Boundford to lead the forward line and Kieran Dovey in midfield, responded in the 19th minute when Jack Hoyle chased a through-ball into the penalty area but could only direct his shot into the side netting while under pressure from a couple of opponents.

Recent signing Flynn Morris went close for the Radnor Robins less than 60 seconds later when his cross-shot from near the right-hand touchline flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Jack Hoyle's 25-yard drive deflected behind in the 27th minute and former Newtown defender Shane Sutton headed over the crossbar from the ensuing corner.

Harri Howells then had a couple of opportunities to extend Llanfair United's advantage midway through the first-half.

Firstly, he fired wide of the target with a 25-yard drive before going closer six minutes later when prodding a loose ball wide of goal from close range after Davies had dropped a free-kick flighted into the penalty area.

Paul Griffiths saw his half-volley from the edge of the penalty area blocked prior to the Radnor Robins being provided with a way back into the match on the stroke of half-time when referee Nick Davies awarded a penalty.

However, summer signing Harley Morris was unable to take advantage of the opportunity handed to the hosts when his spot-kick was saved by Lawrence in the Llanfair United goal.

Knighton Town manager Harry Stokes would have been delivering a few stern words to his players during the interval as he knew performance levels needed to improve during the second-half.

The Radnor Robins looked to hit back six minutes after the break when Finley Williams brome into the penalty area but saw his effort on goal blocked.

Llanfair United responded in the 59th minute but Griffiths was unable to take advantage of an error in the host's rearguard as Davies came out to close down his opponent and smother the ball.

Knighton Town substitute Taylor Wozencraft was presented with an opportunity to level the scores when he was picked out by a poor clearance by Lawrence seven minutes later, but was unable to take advantage from 25 yards with the Llanfair United custodian out of position.

The Radnor Robins eventually levelled the scores with 16 minutes remaining on the clock when Callum Stead beat Lawrence with a free-kick of his own from just over 25 yards out.

The hosts nearly went ahead moments later but Tom Dwyer was unable to keep his header under the crossbar from a corner.

Zac Warren headed narrowly wide of goal after a free-kick was played into the Knighton Town penalty area, prior to Morris breaking into the visitors’ penalty area and striking the side netting with his effort.

Wozencraft tried his luck from 25 yards in the 87th minute but ultimately both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils as darkness began to descend over Bryn-y-Castell.

The result meant the Radnor Robins maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign after four matches and could move into third position if they won their game in hand on the teams above them in the table.