Report by Ian Parfitt
A DISASTROUS first half saw Ammanford slump to a heavy defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Goytre United in this crucial JD Cymru South fixture on Saturday afternoon (Apr 15).
Ammanford took to the pitch knowing that a point would be enough to secure league survival. A task not made easier by the absence of first team regulars Lee Trundle, Jordan Langley and Liam Samuel.
Ammanford got off to the worst possible start when an unmarked Jordan Edwatds nodded home a Nathan Jones free kick in just the second minute.
Ammanford had barely recovered from the early setback when they conceded again five minutes later, Josh Jones managing to rifle a shot past Craig Morris at the near post.
The in form Jay Thomas then had a chance for Ammanford but saw his shot saved by home keeper Sam Morton.
Ammanford were struggling to cope with the aerial threat of the home team and conceded a third on twenty minutes when Dan Paul thundered a header past Morris from a Nathan Jones cross.
Ammanford were unlucky not to get a foothold in the game when Luke Harris hit the bar with a header. Ammanford were struggling to cope with the height of Goytre centre half Paul at set pieces and Craig Morris saved well with his feet from the player to keep the score down.
Goytre capped off a decisive first half in stoppage time when Ben Cripps latched on to a bouncing ball in the area to head past Morris.
Ammanford took to the pitch for the second half with damage limitation the priority and were unlucky not to score seven minutes after the break when full back Danny Birch hit the post from a shot inside the area.
This was to be Birch’s last involvement in the game as he saw red three minutes later for an alleged elbow on Paul as both players challenged for the ball in the Goytre area.
Goytre surged forward in search of more goals as Ammanford defended their goal resolutely.
In a rare Ammanford attack Euros Griffiths saw a header saved by home keeper Morton. Ammanford rode their luck ten minutes from time when Goytre full back Dafydd Owen hit the post.
The home team capped off a crucial win three minutes from time with the best goal of the match, Jonathan Fletcher unleashing a thunderbolt into the roof of the net from outside the area.
*Carmarthen beat Trefelin on Tuesday night (Apr 18) and it means that Ammanford will be playing football in the JD Cymru South next season.
It means they can relax ahead of their final game of the season, away to Pontardawe Town on Saturday, April 22.
