Welsh League Division Two
Ammanford 1
Llanelli Town 2
GOALS by Jamie Evans and Liam Samuel in either half earned the Reds victory to record a fourth successive win over their near-neighbours.
Having defeated their opponents twice last season together with a 4-0 win at Stebonheath last September, they once again deserved this latest result as they were on top for the majority of the contest.
The only disturbing aspect concerning the side is the lack of a permanent goalkeeper, with midfielder Steve Stone being the latest incumbent between the sticks.
Since the departure of Craig Richards earlier in the season, Stone became the fifth player to take on the duties and had a sound game – even saving a penalty – but the Reds need to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
The visitors did not take long to open their account, as within four minutes they were ahead after an initial ball by Ross Jones across goal was deflected for a corner, and when Richard Lewis sent this over, Samuel struck a powerful shot which Ammanford goalkeeper Ben Ledger could only parry, allowing Evans to bundle the rebound over the line.
When the home side countered, Stone came off his line to clear from the oncoming Owen James on the edge of the area, before Evans headed over the top when he met another Lewis corner.
The nearest Ammanford came was when the fleet-footed Craig Frater with some nice skill got away and exchanged passes with James, but his finish curled just the wrong side of the target.
Both sides created early second half chances, with Stone dealing safely with a Frater free kick, while Evans really should have done better when he was through on goal but sliced his shot wide of the near post.
Five minutes after the restart, the Reds doubled their lead when a long kick out by Stone found Luke Jones whose initial attempt was blocked by Ledger, but the ball found its way to Samuel wide on the left and he finished with a delightful half volley.
Despite trailing, Ammanford were looking more dangerous than in the first period, and it took a saving tackle by Jandir Zola on Rhys Fisher to prevent a certain goal when Ben Soal set up the chance.
They went even closer when a shot from distance by Matthew Fisher struck the post with Stone beaten, while Chris Thomas did well to dispossess Frater when his run took him into the box.
On 79 minutes the hosts were presented with a golden chance to reduce the deficit with the award of a penalty following a tackle in the area, but Frater had his spot kick well kept out by Stone who guessed correctly.
Ammanford did finally get a reward seven minutes from time through Mathew Jones who seized on the loose ball following a save by Stone to find the top corner, and in the dying moments, a header by Rhys Owen went agonisingly wide from a Dayle Selvage corner.
Teams:
Ammanford: Ledger; Selvage; R. Fisher ©; Griffiths; Owen; Soal; Williams; M. Jones; Frater; M. Fisher; James (Murray, 66).
Subs not used: N. Jones; Harding.
Llanelli Town: Stone; Napieralla; Lewis; Zola; C. Thomas; Bevan ©; Samuel (Harries, 84); R. Jones; L. Jones (Forkuoh, 63); Evans; R. Thomas.
Subs not used: Hughes; Bauza; Martin.
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