Caerau 3, Llanelli Town 1

Refereeing at any level of the game is a thankless task and the further down the football pyramid the more difficult is becomes, particularly if you are the sole official.

Aylwin Jones in charge of this clash did not endear himself to the visitors with some of his decisions, when he waved away their objections to at least two of the home goals which appeared to be achieved from offside positions, while he also dismissed Reds’ central defender Rhys Powell for hauling back Caerau’s Ryan Jones who seemed to be standing offside when the offence was committed.

Having said that, the visitors, while being incensed with decisions, must learn to discipline themselves even when they go against them or are seemingly wrong.

Peter Scammell took over in the visitors’ goal following the red card shown to Craig Richards in the previous match at Cardiff Corinthians, whileBartidome Bauza was included for his first full start.

A shapeless 20 minutes on a heavy playing surface produced little by either side in the way of creative moves, the nearest effort stemming from a Bauza finish which he screwed just off target.

When the home side pushed forward, a slip by Richard Lewis allowed Jones a run on goal, but his control let him down and the ball ran harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.

Jones was then involved for the hosts’ opener after 29 minutes, when with the visitors appealing for an offside decision, he made ground before squaring a pass inside for Chay Davies who fired low past Scammell.

Despite this setback, the Reds continued to enjoy plenty of possession, but as so often, the final ball lacked quality with Bruno Forkuoh driving over the top with players waiting for a cross, before they went close from a Lewis corner to the far post which led to Powell challenging keeper Matthew Rees for possession, but eventually the danger was scrambled clear.

The second period began with Rees going down at the feet of Bauza in the box to grab the ball as it was about to slip from his grasp, while he was called into action again, this time keeping out a well struck shot by Lee Bevan.

Four minutes into the half, the visitors were reduced to 10 men for the second successive game with the dismissal of Powell, with Bauza being sacrificed by being brought off with Steve Berry taking his place in the back four.

A Lewis corner was headed just over by Robert Thomas, but Caerau could well have added to the lead when Scammell scuffed a clearance when he lost his footing allowing Jones a free run on goal, but his finish was hopelessly off target.

The home striker did go slightly nearer shortly after when he picked up a defensive clearance in space, but again he failed to find the net with his final effort.

At the other end, Anthony Owen who had replace Matthew Hughes, headed into the arms of Rees from close range following a Mark Napieralla delivery, while Lewis saw his attempt blocked by the keeper in the area.

The Reds were on top but just could not find the killer blow to unlock their opponents, with Thomas directing a header against the bar from another cross by Napieralla.

Finally the pressure brought its reward with an equaliser arriving on 74 minutes with Lewis again involved, this time driving a ball across the six yard line for Owen to turn it home.

Caerau retaliated, and Scammell was called upon to turn around a well struck shot by Robbie Walters, before the same player put his side back into the lead, albeit again looking well offside, slotting past Scammell after 77 minutes.

Rees did well to save at full stretch a fiercely struck free Lewis free kick, but in stoppage time the Reds` fate was sealed when their opponents notched up a third following a scramble on the goal line which culminated in the loose ball being met by Joshua Roach to drive it home.

After two successive defeats, and with only three points separating themselves from second placed Ammanford who have five games in hand, the Reds’ clash with their near neighbours at the Recreation Ground on Saturday could well prove to be a crucial turning point in the season for both teams. Kick off is at 2.00pm.

Caerau: Rees; R James; Davis; Mizen; Roach; Sam James; Davies (Walters, 42); Shaun James (Hicks, 84); Jones; Price ©; Page. Subs not used: Jenkins; Shearan; Hughes.

Llanelli Town: Scammell; Napieralla; Lewis; R Jones; Powell; Bevan ©; Forkuoh; Thomas; Wilson; Bauza (Berry, 50); Hughes (Owen, 61). Subs not used: Jenkins; Martin.

Scorers: Caerau: Davies, 29; Walters, 77; Roach, 90+2. Llanelli Town:Owen, 74.

Yellow cards: Caerau: R James; Shaun James; Mizen. Llanelli Town: R Jones.

Red card: Llanelli Town: Powell.

Referee: Aylwin Jones (Resolven)