FOLLOWS FIRES REDS TO WELCOME THREE POINTS

CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 LLANELLI 3

The Reds got their season back on track with a victory in the New Year’s Day derby at Richmond Park, Carmarthen. Reds manager, Andy Legg, gave a start to young Jordan Davies at right back as Chris Thomas moved to the centre in place of skipper, Stuart Jones, who missed the game through illness. Antonio Corbisiero donned the captain’s armband in Stuart’s absence.

Both teams contained players who had at one time played in the opposition colours with Lee Phillips, Stephen Evans, Nick Harry and the Griffiths bothers, Dale and Darren in the home side with Wyn Thomas and Chris Thomas representing the Reds.

The opening stages saw the Reds a bit rusty, having not played since their Welsh Cup win over Aberystwyth on 13^th November and not playing a league game since their draw at Port Talbot at the end of October. Despite this, they had the better of the play and the higher share of possession during the first twenty minutes.

Neither side created a chance of any note during this time but it was surprising to see the home side take the lead in the 21^st minute as they broke out of defence and a cross from Sasha Walters on the right was met at the back post by Corey Thomas, who climbed above Jordan Davies to head the ball past Reds keeper, Ashley Morris.

Tim Hicks then had a half chance to increase the Carmarthen lead but he failed to connect onto a Sasha Walters pass and Reds Jason Bowen had the ball in the net only for Jordan Follows to be adjudged offside as he tried to connect with the ball.

In the 33^rd minute, the Reds were level after Martyn Giles lobbed the ball forward for Rhys Griffiths to flick on for Follows to get behind the defenders before calmly slotting the ball past Lewis in the home goal.

Before the break, Corbisiero had two thunderous shots on goal only for both of them to go high and wide.

In the second period, the Reds had the lion’s share of the game once again and eventually took the lead in the 71^st minute when Jordan Follows charged down a Lee Phillips clearance before sending a defender the wrong way and finally placing a quality finish into the net.

Two minutes later, the Reds went further ahead when Craig Moses got onto the end of a Rhys Griffiths flick before hammering the ball past the helpless Carmarthen keeper.

A welcome three points for the Reds then, ahead of their eagerly awaited home game with league leaders, Bangor City on Wednesday 5^th January. KO 7.30pm

Carmarthen Town 

Michael Lewis, Lee Phillips, Steve Evans, Dale Griffiths (Gary Bansor 69′), Lee Bevan, Kieran Howard, Lee Jenkins (Bobby Briers 87′), Darren Griffiths, Corey Thomas, Tim Hicks (Nick Harrhy 77′), Sacha Walters. Sub not used: Oliver Ardolino

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Evans 80′ Howard 90′

Llanelli AFC 

Ashley Morris, Jordan Davies (Scott Evans 69′), Martyn Giles, Chris Venables, Chris Thomas, Wyn Thomas, Jason Bowen (Adam Orme 81′), Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Jordon Follows, Craig Moses (Andy Legg 74′)

Subs not used: Chris Holloway, Ryan Batley

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Griffiths 19′ Corbisiero 62′

Man of the Match.  JORDAN FOLLOWS  (Quality)

Attendance: 461       Referee: Darren Adie