REDS INCREASE LEAD AT THE TOP

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1 LLANELLI 2

The Reds kept their top spot in the Corbett Sports.com Welsh Premier League with an away win at Aberystwyth Town on Friday night. The 2 1 score line suggests a close game but in reality, the Reds should have won the game by a far wider margin as they were the superior side for most of the ninety minutes.

The Reds started well with Jason Bowen continuing his recent good form on the right flank and Scott Evans playing well in midfield with some elegant touches although he received a yellow card for a foul on ex Red Wyn Thomas.

An Ashley Evans flick on nearly put Rhys Griffiths through to score after 18 minutes but four minutes later the Reds found themselves behind when Ashley Morris failed to hold a cross and Antonio Corbisiero bundled the ball into his own net!

The Reds didn’t let this set back affect their game and they were level within two minutes when Chris Venables rose majestically to head home a corner from Craig Williams.

Venables nearly scored again when Aber keeper, Cann, parried his shot away but ace marksman, Rhys Griffiths did get on the score sheet when he scored after 27 minutes after good work by Lloyd Grist and Craig Williams on the left flank put him through to score with a low drive.

Grist then received a yellow card five minutes later for a foul on Geoff Kelloway but the Reds continued to dominate with Griffiths, Surman and Craig Williams all going close to increasing the away side’s lead.

The second period started in the same way as the first with the Reds dominating play and only minutes after the restart, Griffiths should have scored only to shoot straight at the keeper. Jason Bowen then saw a header sail over the bar before Chris Holloway replaced the tiring Scott Evans in the Reds mid field.

Craig Williams, Chris Venables and Rhys Griffiths all saw further efforts go begging before the home side rallied and got back into the game as the Reds seemed to ease off and play more defensively.

The Reds defence was resolute however with skipper, Stuart Jones, outstanding against his home town club.

Aber’s Geoff Kellaway was then carried off with a nasty injury after a block tackle as the Reds continued to create chances without success.

Chad Bond replaced the limping Craig Williams after 77 minutes and he could have scored just a minute later when a great ball by Jason Bowen put him through only for Cann to push the ball past the post for a corner.

Wyn Thomas then shot wide in the dying minutes but the Reds held out for a fine away win which put them four points clear of Bangor City at the top of the table.

The Reds now have a double header with Neath over the festive season before completing the first half of the season before the Championship Conference begins in February.

The Neath game at Stebo on Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December, kicks off at 12.30pm with the Reds hoping for a bumper holiday crowd!

Aberystwyth Town

Steve Cann, Dave Swanick, Michael Howard (Krzystzof Nalborski 10′), Aneurin Thomas, Sion James, Wyn Thomas, Geoff Kellaway (James McCarten 73′), Sean Thornton, Craig Williams (Anthony Finselbach 49′), Ricky Evans, Andy Parkinson.  Subs not used: Adam Carvell, Ifan Burrell

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: None

Llanelli AFC

Ashley Morris, Chris Venables, Stuart Jones, Lee Surman, Jason Bowen, Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Ashley Evans, Craig Williams (Chad Bond 79′), Lloyd Grist, Scott Evans (Chris Holloway 55′).  Subs not used: Martyn Giles, Chris Llewellyn, Jordan Follows, Aaron Houlihan

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: S.Evans 20′ Grist 32′

Attendance: 272 Referee: Mark Petch

Reds Man of The Match : Stuart Jones (outstanding)