AMMANFORD finished their season with a disappointing defeat at Pontardawe in a hard-fought JD Cymru South fixture on Saturday afternoon (Apr 22).
Ammanford were forced to give keeper Jamie Rano his first start of the season following injuries to Craig Morris and second choice keeper Leo Jones.
Ammanford started brightly, putting pressure on the home goal put were rocked in the seventh minute when Pontardawe winger Rio Booth raced onto a through ball and poked the ball past the onrushing Rano.
Rano saved well six minutes later as the home team looked to extend their lead.
Ammanford were restricted to mainly half chances and Lee Trunded headed wide on the half hour mark before the influential Morgan Clarke fired just wide of the post from outside the area five minutes later.
A scrappy affair burst into life on the stroke of half time when former Ammanford player Ryan Kostromin was sent off for an alleged headbutt on full back Mathew Jones. This followed a free kick awarded against Kostromin for a foul and the subsequent coming together of players.
Pontardawe manager Garry Taylor, clearly incensed at the decision then received a yellow card for kicking the ball at Jones.
Ammanford took to the pitch for the second half clearly determined to make the most of their numerical advantage and Trundle was extremely unlucky to see his shot hit the post just two minutes after the break.
Morgan Clarke then collected a Lee Trundle lay off before forcing home keeper Steve Reeve into a good save.
Callum Thomas floated over a cross from the left flank five minutes later which was heading into the back of the net before being spooned away by Reeve.
Pontardawe were firmly on the back foot but Rano did save Ammanford on the hour mark with a scrambled save.
Lee Trundle then controlled the ball well on chest before moving forward and unleashing a shot which went narrowly wide. Ammanford continued to put pressure on the home goal and Reeve saved from a Tom Pratt header to keep his team ahead.
Ten man Pontardawe defended resiliently and then their midfield took control which limited Ammanford chances for the rest of the match.
Pontardawe put the match to bed when Josh Dorward, given far too much space on the left hand side moved forward and curled an unstoppable shot out of the reach of Rano.
Pontardawe were reduced to nine men in injury time when Rio Booth saw yellow for the second time.
This was too late to make an impact on the game however Callum Thomas did see a shot deflected wide before the final whistle sparked jubilant scenes amongst the home crowd.
Ammanford will reflect upon a disappointing afternoon however will be relieved that their league position in the Cymru South was secure before start of play.
A summer of hard work ahead for the Ammanford board who will decide which players they want to retain and then a recruitment drive to build a competitive squad for next season.
Pontardawe have one home match left against Taffs Well next Saturday as they look to cement ninth place in the table.
