REDS KEEP EURO HOPES ALIVE

PRESTATYN TOWN 1 LLANELLI 2

The Reds kept their hopes of a third place finish and a possible guaranteed European place alive with a hard earned victory at Prestatyn Town last Friday night.

The Reds had opted for the long trip north on Friday instead of a Sunday afternoon fixture and the way they started the game showed no obvious effects of their long journey.

The Reds made two changes to their starting line up from the previous game with Ryan Batley playing in place of player manager Andy Legg and Craig Moses starting in place of Jason Bowen.

They began the game on the front foot and that was the story of the night as the home side adopted long ball tactics and constant arguments with the match officials every time a decision was awarded against them.

The Reds were in front as early as the 10th minute when Chris Venables headed home a cross from the right flank from Craig Williams. Venables adopted the John Charles ethic of heading the ball back in the direction it came from and his header left Dunt in the home goal stranded.

The Reds were now in control of affairs restricting the home side to long range efforts on goal and playing some neat passing football. One move of note saw Rhys Griffiths flick on a pass from Craig Williams which resulted in Craig Moses having his shot well saved by Dunt.

Prestatyn full back, Davies went into the referee’s note book after a foul on Ashley Evans after 23 minutes and from the resulting free kick from Venables, Antonio Corbisiero fired a shot well wide of the mark.

Some sloppy play in midfield by the Reds let in the hosts for some half chances with Ashley Morris in the Reds goal saving from Steve Rogers after 29 minutes.

Rogers was again through on goal just minutes later but the offside flag saved the Reds although Prestatyn did draw level after 36 minutes when more careless midfield play from the Reds saw Ross Stephens equalise with a fierce left foot drive from just inside the area with the ball flying into the bottom left hand corner of Ashley Morris’ net.

The Reds attacked from the restart and Rhys Griffiths saw his header go just wide of the upright after a good cross on the right by Chris Holloway.

Just before the break the 178 strong crowd were treated to some amusement when Corbisiero hit a 25 yard drive well wide of the target with the outcome being a smashed window in the hospitality area!

The Reds began the second period in the same vein as the first with them playing the better football and Craig Moses had a chance to restore the lead just five minutes after the restart but his lack of composure in front of gaol saw his chance go begging.

Home forward Rogers received a caution for a foul on Ashley Morris and Rogers was again involved minutes later when the home crowd screamed for a penalty after he appeared to be brought down by Reds keeper Morris. Referee Petch didn’t agree and awarded a corner.

Some sloppy play by Holloway let in Rogers for another chance after 59 minutes but Rogers shot over the bar.

Jordan Follows then replaced Craig Moses on the right flank and was immediately involved in the Reds second goal in the 63rd minute when he set up Rhys Griffiths who coolly beat Hunt from 12 yards.

Lee Hunt then saw yellow for a foul on the Reds keeper and he could have been sent off in the 75th minute when a late challenge on Morris only led to a stern lecture from the Referee.

Rhys Griffiths then thought he had made the game safe for the Reds after 83 minutes only for Dunt in the home goal to produce the save of the night when he tipped Griffiths header over the bar.

Both Venables and Griffiths had further efforts on goal with both headers going wide of the goal.

The referee’s whistle then ended the contest with the Reds deservedly travelling home with the points.

Reds manager, Andy Legg, was delighted with the performance as not many teams win at Bastion Gardens.

The Reds now look forward to two home games this week against The New Saints On Tuesday and Neath next Friday night.

Prestatyn Town

Jon Dunt, Chris Davies (Dan Evans 70′), Jack Lewis, Dave Hayes, Paul O’Neill, Gareth Wilson, Michael Parker (Jon Fisher-Cooke 84′), Kai Edwards, Lee Hunt, Steve Rogers, Ross Stephens

Subs not used: Jack Roberts, Ryan Davidson

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Davies 24′ Rogers 51 Hunt 67′