Report by Ian Parfitt
A GOAL from defender Euros Griffiths on his 400th appearance for the club and a brace from the in form Jay Thomas secured a win for Ammanford against last season’s Champions Llantwit Major.at the Rec on Friday evening (Apr 7) in this JD Cymru South fixture.
Ammanford got off to the worst possible start, conceding in the third minute when a speculative lob from Tom Lillico sailed over the head of stranded keeper Craig Morris from 40 yards.
Ammanford responded well to the early setback and went forward looking for an equaliser however went close to conceding again in the sixth minute when the dangerous Tyler Jackson shot just wide.
Ammanford did not have long to wait and Euros Griffiths equalised in the tenth minute when he rose highest in the area from a corner to plant a solid header past Llantwit keeper Jack Lansdown.
Ammanford went ahead a minute later when Jay Thomas picked up the ball just inside the penalty area after good work from Lee Trundle and curled a shot passed the despairing dive of Lansdown.
Ammanford were keen to extend their lead and only a point blank Lansdown save from a Trundle shot preserved their lead.
A weaving run and shot from Jay Thomas was well saved by Lansdown who was keeping his team in the match.
Llantwit thought they had equalised three minutes after the break when good control from Joel Woodington led to him firing past Morris.
The goal appeared to have been awarded and the home tannoy announced it before a linesman’s flag brought play back and the goal was disallowed.
Ammanford extended their lead just after the hour mark, good work by Trundle produced a cross which evaded Lansdown and fell to Jay Thomas who lashed the ball home for his third goal in two matches.
Any hopes that Ammanford had of protecting the two goal lead were dashed just two minutes later when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after spotting an Ammanford handball.
Owain Edwards dispatched the penalty to bring his team back into the game.
Ammanford were still well on top and winning the midfield battle. The two goal cushion should have been restored twenty minutes from time.
Lansdown saved well from a Jordan Langley shot and when Trundle squared the loose ball back to Langley he was unable to adjust his feet and the ball squirmed away from.him.
Ammanford were surging forward with Morgan Clarke excellent in midfield and Clarke forced Lansdown into another good save.
Ammanford had their own penalty appeal for handball turned down with a quarter of an hour left. Llantwit were struggling to stay in the game and their task was made harder nine minutes from time when substitute Ollie Bradley was shown a red card just two minutes after coming on, seemingly for something said to the referee.
Ammanford continued to miss opportunities to extend their lead, Lee Trundle firing wide on a couple of occasions to add to the tension amongst home fans.
Ammanford, fully aware that they should have been out of sight defended doggedly during what felt like a never ending period of injury time to secure a crucial three points and jubilantly celebrated with fans at the end. This victory, in what was their last home match of the season leaves Ammanford on the cusp of safety.
