Llanelli Town 2 Caldicot Town 0

Welsh Cup – Second Qualifying Round

Hosting opponents from division two of the Welsh League pyramid, the Reds proved they are more than a match for any side, and the final scoreline does not truly reflect their overall dominance over visitors who failed abysmally to offer any serious attacking threat.

The home side were able to field a full-strength squad after the return from injury and holidays, with Liam Samuel starting and Bruno Forkuoh and Richard Lewis named on the bench, and an early chance fell to Luke Jones after a downfield clearance by Mark Napierella fell into his path, but goalkeeper Matt Sandiford got down quickly to keep out his strike.

Jones then turned provider, finding Steve Stone on the edge of the box, but his chip into the goalmouth was safely gathered by the Caldicot keeper.

Rhys Powell brought off a timely interception to snuff out a potential threat on the home goal when Caldicot broke, but as the half progressed the overall standard of play from both sides was well below par with little to enthuse over by way of any constructive movement, and chances were at a premium.

The nearest either team came to scoring was a shot to the Reds` near post by Jason Thorn when he was found by Matt Trottman and was kept out by goalkeeper Craig Richards.

Caldicot central defender Matt Jones made a timely challenge to just nick the ball away from Samuel as he was about to collect a pass from Jones which would have afforded him a clear run on goal, and just prior to the break Sandiford got down to grasp an attempt from Steve Berry after Samuel set up the chance.

A less than inspiring first half drew to a close with neither side seemingly able to conjure up any potential scoring opportunities, although the visitors did have an early chance in the second period when David Lloyd threaded a ball through to Thorn in the box, but his attempt deflected for a fruitless corner.

However, as the half progressed it seemed evident that whatever had been said in the confines of the home dressing room at the interval was having the desired effect, as the Reds were far more positive in their approach play, forcing their opponents onto the back foot for much of the time.

The pressure eventually paid off after 63 minutes when they took the lead following an initial throw in by Steve Stone which found Jones who then laid it back for Stone to deliver a cross into the area where Lee Bevan rose to power an unstoppable header past Sandiford.

Declan John came on as a replacement for Stone five minutes after the goal, and almost immediately went close to doubling the advantage when he met a ball from Matthew Hughes, but his finish went across goal and just wide of the far post.

Sandiford brought off a great save to fingertip over a goal bound free kick by Samuel, before the home side survived a scare when a miskick by Bevan afforded Alex Watkins a strike on goal, but Richards got down to divert it clear.

Eight minutes from time, the tie was put to bed when the Reds struck again following a good build up involving Jones and Hughes which led to the latter laying a pass infield to Samuel who struck a crisp finish beyond Sandiford.

Forkuoh missed a chance of further increasing the lead when he failed to find the target from close range after Ross Jones set it up, but the Reds ran out comfortable and worthy winners and progress to the first round proper of the competition.

LLANELLI TOWN; Richards; Napierella; Bonnell; Berry (Shannon, 84); Bevan ©; Powell; Samuel; R. Jones; L. Jones (Forkuoh, 84); Stone (John, 68); Hughes;

Subs. not used; Lewis; Scammell (GK).

CALDICOT TOWN; Sandiford; Lloyd (McConnell); Palmer; Lawry; James (Crook, 58); Biggs ©; Jenkins; Sharratt; Sanders; Thorn; Trottman (Watkins, 64).

SCORERS; Llanelli Town; Bevan, 63; Samuel, 82.

YELLOW CARDS; Llanelli Town; Berry; L. Jones; R. Jones.

Caldicot Town; Thorn; Palmer.

REFEREE; Luke Gregory (Swansea).

ATTENDANCE; 130.