Former Town keeper James Barker played a blinder against his old club, keeping the new league leaders at bay as the Spamen took all three points, reports RAY WARREN.

Last week’s shock news that table-toppers Goytre FC had been deducted 15 points for fielding an ineligible youth player on the bench in five games, has thrown everything up in the air, with a third of the season still to play and some seven teams now in serious contention.

Last week’s news, as broken in the Chronicle, meant that second-place Town replaced their local rivals at the top of the league and travelled to Llandrindod as the new pacesetters.

But the Mid Wales outfit, fresh from two draws and a win, including a scoreless stalemate with Goytre just two weeks after an 8-0 drubbing at Penperlleni, had other ideas on a “quagmire of a pitch”.

Town dominated the ball for long periods, but failed to take full advantage or adapt their normal passing game to the difficult conditions.

Barker between the Spamen sticks was in inspired form, playing out of his skin to make several outstanding saves, including tipping a thunderous volley from Nathan Davies onto the bar when a goal seemed inevitable.

But Danny Smith’s half-hour opener put the hosts in front before Jack Evans settled the outcome with a late wonder strike to take all three points 2-0. A Town spokesman said: “No excuses and congratulations to Llandrindod who defended resolutely and took the only two chances they created.”

Abergavenny remain top by three points having played a game more, with Caldicot now second on goal difference from Abertillery Bluebirds, who didn’t play at the weekend, after a 1-0 win at Croesyceiliog.

An 82nd-minute strike from substitute Richard Sharrat gave the Swans the win, who finished with 10 men after a second yellow for Leo Ross straight after the goal.

Abergavenny Town returned to action last night for a derby with Monmouth Town under the lights at Penypound.

The Kingfishers got over a rocky patch of three straight losses with a 2-0 home win over Aberbargoed Buds on Saturday, Goals in the first half from Lyndon Jones and a home debut goal from Iwan Mooney were enough for all three points in windy conditions.

In other games at the weekend, Chepstow Town won the basement battle 3-1 at Abertillery Excelsiors, while Rhayader and Treowen Stars drew 0-0.

Meanwhile, in the FAW Cymru Reserves South East League, Abergavenny Town 2nds scored a half dozen goals, but still lost out 9-6 at home to Crosyceiliog, a rugby-sized result that leaves them ninth.