LLANELLI 4 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

Already assured of a super six spot in the revamped league, the Reds duly completed the first half of their season with a comfortable win over their near neighbours, and in truth it could have been an even more emphatic scoreline if they  had accepted the numerous chances created.

As it was, a Rhys Griffiths hat trick and a further strike by Craig Williams earned then the three points, and they seldom looked in danger of going down to a shock defeat.

Griffiths glanced an early header wide from a floated cross by Ashley Evans, and then fired a free kick into the wall which rebounded back to him, but again was denied by a defensive block.

The Reds were well on top, but were finding it difficult to find the killer pass, before on 19 minutes they finally succeeded when a Chris Thomas cross to the far post was inexplicably headed by Carmarthen player, Nicky Palmer, across goal to the head of Griffiths who could hardly miss from point blank range.

The home side continued to dictate matters, but were taking the wrong  options when the opportunities arose, with Williams and Owain Warlow electing to pass when a shot might have brought better dividends, before Griffiths further extended the lead after 32 minutes when he was on  hand to turn in following a cut back by Antonio Corbisiero to beat goalkeeper Mike Lewis.

Corbisiero himself might well have increased the advantage with a powerful shot which Lewis did well to turn clear, and when Warlow met the loose ball he drove it just past the near post.

Against the run of play, the visitors reduced the deficit in the 39^th minute following a break up the left which led to Nic Harry meeting the delivery into the goalmouth and beat Ashley Morris.

Encouraged by this success, Carmarthen pushed forward with Morris having to dive at the feet of Corey Thomas when he pursued a ball into the box, although Griffiths could then have increased the advantage when a superb crossfield ball by Williams set him free with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Thomas again was equal to the task, bringing off an important block.

Seven minutes into the second half, the home side went further ahead following a partially cleared corner which only fell to Williams some twenty yards out, and he despatched a well struck volley back into the goalmouth and beyond Thomas.

Corbisiero fired just wide of the near post when Griffiths laid on the chance, while at the other end Morris did well to prevent Steffan Williams from scoring with Stuart Jones tidying up at the expense of a corner.

A timely interception by Lee Bevan nicked the ball from the head of Griffiths who was poised to meet a Williams cross and then was thwarted by Thomas shortly after when he chased a ball into the area.

He was not to be denied his hat trick, however, and did so in the 74^th minute, latching on to a through pass by Chris Venables  and slot it low past the goalkeeper.

Five minutes from time, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Lee  Jenkins was sent off for a second yellow card, but they were a well beaten side at the close and could consider themselves fortunate that the scoreline was not greater.

MATCH STATS

LLANELLI:    Morris; C. Thomas; Evans; Venables; S. Jones ©; W. Thomas (L. Jones, 83); Warlow; Corbisiero (Bowen, 72); Griffiths; Holloway (Follows, 62); Williams;

Subs not used: Legg; Orme.

GOAL CHART: Llanelli – Griffiths, 19, 32, 74; Williams, 52.

Carmarthen Town – Harry, 39,

YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli – Venables; Corbisiero. Carmarthen Town – Jenkins.

RED CARD: Carmarthen Town – Jenkins.

LLANELLI MAN OF THE MATCH:  Chris Thomas.

REFEREE:  Mr. Dean John (Swansea).

ATTENDANCE:  171.