JD Cymru SOUTH
Ammanford 0 Llanelli Town 1
Ammanford were left to rue a contentious penalty decision on the stroke of half time as they fell to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Carmarthenshire rivals Llanelli Town at the Recreation Ground on Friday evening in a JD Cymru South fixture.
The first half hour was largely uneventful with both sides struggling to get a foothold in the game and clear cut chances were scarce.
Llanelli had the first opportunity of the match just after the half hour mark when a sliding Josh Allen failed to make contact with a cross ball from Joe Hopkins.
Ammanford had their first real goalscoring opportunity a couple of minutes later when Jay Thomas was put through by Mathew Fisher but Thomas saw his effort saved be Llanelli goalkeeper Scott Coughlin.
The game turned in the 43rd minute when the referee pointed to the spot as Llanelli full back Miles John went down in the box following what appeared to be minimal contact.
Referee Tegid Richards waved away Ammanford protests and Sean Cronin stepped up to send the ball past Ammanford keeper Craig Morris.
Ammanford were clearly unsettled by this goal but managed to hold on until half time without conceding more.
Mathew Fisher was unlucky not to bring the scores level two minutes after the break when he saw an excellent long range effort narrowly clear the crossbar.
The second half continued much in the fashion of the first forty five minutes with both sides struggling to manufacture clear cut chances.
Craig Morris was grateful in the 57th minute to see a looping Llanelli shot go over the bar.
The in form Morris then produced an outstanding save nine minutes from time to keep his team in the game.
Ammanford desperately went in search of an equaliser but the ball would not fall for them in the area and they were unable to test Coughlin.
Tim Parker saw red for Llanelli deep into injury time after picking up a second yellow card. This was too late to impact the game and Llanelli were relieved to hear the final whistle.
Ammanford remain in the bottom three and move on to their next match away to reigning champions Llantwit Major next Saturday.
Llanelli meanwhile stay third.
Report Ian Parfitt
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