NEWPORT YMCA 0 LLANELLI TOWN 2

An unbeaten run of five matches has hoisted the Reds to the top of the third division of the Welsh League, replacing the previous incumbents, Lliswerry, who went down to defeat at Bridgend Street by the same scoreline.

Goals in either half by Matthew Hughes saw the visitors through to a well-earned win against opponents who occasionally caused them a few problems, without offering any serious goal threat.

Injuries and non-availablilty forced the Reds into a few changes with Hughes named in the starting line-up, while there were welcome returns on the bench for both Declan John and Steve Berry after injury and surgery respectively, but they were without Liam Samuel, Bruno Forkuoh and Richard Lewis.

They did not take long to make their mark, forging into a third minute lead following a long Steve Stone throw into the goalmouth which found its way through to Hughes positioned at the far post, and he rifled his finish into the roof of the net from close range.

The home side responded with an attempt from distance by Nathan Hardwick curling just off target, while at the other end, Lee Bevan sent Luke Jones clear up the right and he in turn found Jamie Evans, but his near post effort was scrambled over for a corner.

A break by the hosts led to Niall Simmons gaining possession, albeit from a suspiciously looking offside position, but he was allowed to continue before scuffing his finish across goal and wide of the far upright.

Another Stone long throw found Jones who again set up Evans, but this time goalkeeper Mark Drew just managed to keep out the finish at his near post.

A corner to the home side by Alex Jenkins was swung into the goalmouth, but Stone was well positioned to head it clear of danger and relieve the situation.

An early second half opportunity fell to Hughes when he latched on to a long clearance by Mark Napierella, but this time his first time strike was well off target.

They were then forced to make an early change with John replacing Evans on 49 minutes, but the game had become something of a stalemate with neither side able to cobble together any worthwhile meaningful moves.

Joe O`Brien did square a ball low across the Reds` box but nobody was up to take advantage, while the nearest the visitors came was when a Jak Shannon corner found Rhys Powell but his effort went wide.

A Jones cross was just too high for the head of Napierella who had made a run into the area, but when they forced a corner on the left, it subsequently led to their second goal.

The original kick was partially cleared by the home defence but only found its way to Hughes wide on the right and some 30 yards out, and he struck a venomous first time shot which arrowed past Drew before he had time to react after 65 minutes.

Craig Richards in the Reds goal had enjoyed a relatively peaceful afternoon, but was called into action to divert at full stretch and then safely gather a header by Hardwick from a Lee Morris free kick, and then did well to come off his line to deny O`Brien by just managing to push the ball clear as the home player was bearing down on the target.

Both keepers then did well to safely grasp attempts by Berry on the home goal from a free kick, while another set piece by Jenkins was dealt with by Richards.

Not a classic by any means, but another welcome three points for the Reds who are becoming stronger with each successive game, and with players still to return to further boost the squad, are becoming a force to be reckoned with whatever the strength of the opposition.

NEWPORT YMCA; M. Drew; Greenfield (Hassan, 52); Morris; Stewart; Medhurst; Jenkins ©; O`Brien; Hardwick; Simmons (Ford, 70); Lewis; Martin

(Yafai, 80); Sub. not used; L. Drew.

LLANELLI TOWN; Richards; Napierella; Bonnell; R. Jones; Bevan ©; Powell; L. Jones (Jenkins, 85); Shannon; Evans (John, 49); Stone (Berry, 72); Hughes;

Subs. not used; Martin; Scammell (GK).

SCORER; Llanelli Town – Hughes; 3, 65.

YELLOW CARD; Newport YMCA – Ford.

REFEREE; Michael Martin (Cwmbran).

The Reds are in cup action on Saturday at Stebonheath when they welcome Caldicot Town in the second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup. Kick off is at 2 p.m.