LLANELLI  2  BANGOR CITY  0

Any  reservations which Reds manager Andy Legg had concerning the six week absence of any games for his side and the consequential lack of match fitness on the players seem to have been answered in the best possible manner, as following on from a good display at Richmond Park and the 3-1 win over Carmarthen Town, they did even better when the runaway league leaders visited Stebonheath, turning on the style with aplomb and deservedly running out winners courtesy of a penalty by Rhys Griffiths in the first half and a late clincher from Chris Llewellyn.

They even managed this without key players flu victim Stuart Jones  and the injured Chris Holloway, but the squad which represented the club all played their part, and it was particularly pleasing to see some telling contributions from the Reds youngsters, with man of the match Scott Evans showing up well in midfield, while Adam Orme when he came on to replace the lively Jordan Follows also played his part, being involved in the decisive second goal.

Bangor goalkeeper Paul Smith was kept busy in the opening stages being called upon to cut out a string of crosses into the middle by Owain Warlow and Griffiths, while he just managed to divert the ball clear with Follows waiting to pounce.

When Chris Venables unleashed a shot from the edge of the area it struck Jason Bowen and rebounded back to him, but Smith diverted his second effort over the bar.

Michael Johnston made a crucial interception when a Venables pass threatened to send Follows clear, before a rare Bangor threat arrived with Ashley Morris making a great reaction save to keep out a close range header by Jamie Reed from a Peter Hoy long throw.

Griffiths might have done better at the far post from a Wyn Thomas cross, but directed his effort off target.

He made amends for this by putting the home side ahead on 39 minutes following a trip on Warlow in the box, and the striker made no mistake from the spot, driving the penalty powerfully past Smith.

Reed went close again for the visitors but was denied by Morris who parried his effort with Antonio Corbisiero completing the clearance out of the danger zone.

Craig Moses came on at the start of the second period in place of Griffiths who had indicated to the bench before the break that something was troubling him, and was almost immediately involved when he appeared to be pushed by a defender when attempting to meet a Venables delivery, but nothing was given.

The Reds were playing some great, flowing football typified by a neat piece of artistry from Follows who freed Warlow clear down the left, but when he sent the ball across the goalmouth nobody was able to apply the decisive finish.

Bangor central defender and captain, James Brewerton, did well to cut out a ball by Follows destined for Moses, before a spate of substitutions took place on both sides, with Llewellyn and Orme replacing Bowen and Follows respectively for the Reds.

A long range attempt by Venables was just off target when he spotted Smith off his line, while at the other end, Morris again did well to keep out and then safely gather a fiercely struck shot from Chris Jones which could well have levelled matters.

Moses then had a great chance of putting the contest beyond doubt when he found himself clear with only the goalkeeper to beat, but dragged his effort wide of the far post,

With time running out, the Reds finally sealed matters by getting a second goal with Moses again involved, this time crossing for Orme to head on into the goalmouth where Llewellyn was on hand to apply the finish into the roof of the net after 88 minutes.

In stoppage time, Bangor were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Brewerton, but by then the home side had deservedly clinched the points, and can look forward with some confidence to the next two home games against Bala Town and Haverfordwest County.

 

MATCH STATS.

LLANELLI;   Morris; C. Thomas; Giles; W. Thomas; Venables; Evans; Bowen (Llewellyn, 62);

Corbisiero ©; Griffiths (Moses, 46); Follows (Orme, 66); Warlow;  Subs. not used;

Legg; Batley,

GOAL CHART;    Llanelli – Griffiths (P), 39; Llewellyn, 88.

YELLOW CARDS;   Llanelli –  Giles; Follows; Llewellyn; Orme.

Bangor City – Hoy; Bull.

RED CARD;             Bangor City – Brewerton.

LLANELLI MAN OF THE MATCH ;   Scott Evans.

REFEREE;   Mr. Kevin Morgan (Cardiff).

ATTENDANCE;    226.