Rose inspires the Reds!

Aberystwyth Town 0 Llanelli 2

A Martin Rose double strike, one in each half, gave the Reds an inspired win at Park Avenue in Aberystwyth last Friday night.

After a week of turmoil at the club with players and staff still waiting for their unpaid August wages, manager Andy Legg also had selection worries with Ashley Evans, Chris Venables and Luke Bowen suspended after all three were sent off in the 3 0 home defeat debacle against Newtown in the previous game. He was also forced to play Geoff Kellaway and Jason Bowen from the start despite being fully fit with Craig Moses occupying a place on the bench.

The Reds began the game well with Kellaway bringing out a good save from home keeper, James Wood, after only two minutes. The game was even for much of the first quarter with neither side producing any serious threat on goal. The Aber side consisted of three ex Reds, Stuart Jones, Wyn Thomas and Jordan Follows and it was the latter who produced a fine save from Craig “Hovis” Morris in the Reds goal in the 25th minute.

Five minutes later, disaster struck for the Reds as young midfielder, Mamadou Diallo was harshly sent off for a late tackle by referee Nick Pratt. Minutes later, Craig Williams added to the visitors woes as he limped off to be replaced by Corey Jenkins.

Full back Chris Thomas then picked up his customary yellow card after a foul on Follows before Rose put the Reds ahead in the 40th minute. A rare mistake from Stuart Jones let Rose in the coolly slot the ball past a helpless Wood in the Aber goal!

The second period saw the Reds produce a fine rearguard defence as Aber used their one man advantage to maintain their lion’s share of the possession.

On the hour mark, Morris pulled out a great save to deny a header from Hughes levelling the scores. The Reds had some break away flurries in an attempt to seal the points with Rose and Kellaway both seeing efforts go narrowly wide.

Four minutes from time, Rose did in fact seal the victory when he scored from close range after a fine breakaway move.

This was a very welcome three points for the Reds as a defeat would have seen them occupy a bottom two position in the league and manager Legg and his players are to be congratulated for such a fine performance in the face of adversity!

The Reds now travel to Haverfordwest on Tuesday for a League Cup fixture (7 30) and then entertain Bala Town at Stebo next Saturday (2.30).

Aberystwyth Town

20. James Wood, 3. Adam Worton (18. Liam James 68′), 4. Matty Collins, 5. Stuart Jones, 6. Wyn Thomas, 7. Josh MacAuley, 9. Jordan Follows, 10. Michael Walsh, 11. Cledan Davies, 16. Glyndwr Hughes (12. Gavin Cadwallader 84′), 17. Bari. Morgan (15. Declan Carroll 74′). Subs not used: 2. Sion James, 19. Rhydian Davies

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Thomas 46′

Llanelli AFC

1. Craig Morris, 2. Chris Thomas, 3. Lloyd Grist. 6. Lee Surman, 7. Jason Bowen, 8. Antonio Corbisiero, 9. Martin Rose, 11. Geoff Kellaway, 15. Mamadou Diallo, 16. Craig Williams (20. Corey Jenkins 36′), 18. Ryan Batley. Subs not used: 25. Dave Richards (gk), 12. Craig Moses, 19. Dafydd Jones, 21. Andy Legg, 22. Adam Davies

Red Cards: Diallo 31′

Yellow Cards: Thomas 37′ Jenkins 42′

Attendance: 352 Referee: Nick Pratt