Llanelli Town 3 Cwmaman Institute 1

Hosting opponents entrenched in the bottom four of the table, the Reds made heavy weather of their eventual win and it took the award of a second half penalty to make the game safe.

After their previous match at Llantwit Major when they were really down to the bare bones player-wise, the home side welcomed back Jordan Follows and Lewis Jones from injury, while Steve Berry who had been forced off at Llantwit, made a welcome appearance and came through apparently unscathed, the only absentees being Steve Stone and Rhys Powell who was sitting out the last of a three match suspension. On the bench was a new face in that of William Davies, a member of the club`s under 16`s, and he made his debut in the second period and twice came close to scoring.

The opening exchanges were dominated by the Reds, and the visitors goal bore a charmed life at times, while goalkeeper Lloyd Waghorn also played his part with a number of vital saves. A shot by Berry deflected of a visiting player and flew just off target, and from the resulting corner a further two attempts were somehow kept out by the Cwmaman defence. Follows at the far post blasted over when he was picked out by a cross from Liam Samuel, and he was well wide shortly after when Samuel again provided the opportunity. Waghorn pulled off an important save to deflect over the bar a Samuel effort when the striker surged into the box on the end of a scorching run, before the deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute.

Another corner conceded by the visitors and taken by Declan John resulted in his delivery into the middle being met by Jamie Evans whose powerful header found the roof of the net. Well on top and seemingly in control of proceedings, the Reds could well have conceded an equaliser when a counter by their opponents carved open the rearguard allowing Nathan Jenkins – who was to prove to be a thorn in their side all evening- the chance of a run on goal with both Berry and Iestyn Evans losing their footing, but he dragged his finish wide with only Wyn Walters to beat.

This let-off proved crucial as the lead was extended on 37 minutes by Samuel who met a partial defensive clearance before rifling a superb finish past Waghorn into the bottom corner. John then set up Samuel again with a great crossfield ball, but this time the keeper just about managed to keep out the strike.

The same two players then combined with Samuel this time the provider by finding John, but his shot struck the base of the upright and rebounded out before being hacked clear. Comfortably ahead at the break, the home side were jolted when their opponents reduced the deficit ten minutes after the restart when Jenkins gained possession on the edge of the area before unleashing a brilliant effort across Walters to drag his side back into the contest.

Stung by this unexpected reverse, the Reds went on the offensive with John blasting wide of the near post when he had perhaps better options with players waiting in the middle, but Cwmaman were still looking dangerous when they broke, with Walters having to be alert to save at the feet of Jenkins when Nicky Bevan set up the chance. Waghorn somehow kept out a John free kick with an outstretched foot, before another move by the visitors started with a backheel by Jenkins to Bevan culminated in Liam Boggs firing his shot just off target.

With seventeen minutes remaining, home nerves were somewhat settled with the award of a penalty after Berry was floored by Rhys Howe, and for the second successive week, John made no mistake from the spot. Follows, who had struggled to make an impact on the game, was replaced by young Davies, and he was almost immediately involved, forcing Waghorn to turn over his chip at the near post. Walters denied David Airey by keeping out his shot on goal, before Davies was involved again when his effort was blocked and when John met the rebound, this too was kept out.

A hard -earned win for the Reds, which reduces the points deficit between themselves and Risca United in third place to six, although the Gwent side have a game in hand.

The Reds have no game on Saturday, but next Tuesday, 18th March, they travel to meet Tredegar Town with a 7.30 p.m. kick off.

LLANELLI TOWN; Walters; Bonnell; Lavender; R. Jones; I. Evans; Berry; Samuel; Shannon (L. Jones, 66); J. Evans; John ©; Follows (W. Davies, 77); Subs. not used; Smolka; Lloyd; S. Davies (GK).

CWMAMAN INSTITUTE; Waghorn; Cook; Howe; R. Williams; Carson; Edwards (Sullivan, 46); L. Davies; Boggs; P. Williams (Airey, 86); Jenkins; R. Davies (Bevan, 60);

Subs. not used Venn; Harford.

SCORERS; Llanelli Town – J. Evans, 22; Samuel, 37; John (P), 73.

Cwmaman Institute – Jenkins, 55.

YELLOW CARDS; Cwmaman Institute – Boggs; Howe; Carson.

REFEREE; Benjamin Williams.

ATTENDANCE; 257.