JD Cymru South
Taffs Well 0 Ammanford 1
Ammanford recorded a crucial first away win of the season at Taffs Well in this JD Cymru South fixture on Saturday afternoon.
This was a largely scrappy affair which will matter not to Ammanford as they move out of the relegation places at the foot of the table.
Both teams struggled to get a foothold early on with Ammanford finding things particularly difficult playing up what is a significant slope and a strong wind not helping matters.
Clear cut chances were few and far between for both teams during the first half. Rhys Fisher did almost give Ammanford the lead midway through the half, sending a header from a Liam Samuel cross narrowly wide.
Taffs Well were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men a minute later when the referee elected to produce only a yellow card to David Lyon for kicking out at Euros Griffiths.
Taffs Well were struggling to create clear cut chances despite causing Ammanford problems with their pace on the flanks but were unlucky to hit the post in the 26th minute.
The second half also started in scrappy fashion with home forward Marcus Jones heading narrowly wide ten minutes after the re-start.
Ammanford continued to find clear cut chances hard to come by with Tom Pratt having their first chance of the half, heading over from a corner.
A good block from Liam Samuel prevented Jan Maertens giving the home side the lead ten minutes from time.
It was clear that one goal would be enough to win a tight match and it was Tom Pratt who came up trumps for Ammanford in the 82nd minute, heading home through a packed goalmouth from a corner to spark jubilant scenes amongst the away support.
Kieran Howard almost extended the lead two minutes later, shooting wide of the goal.
Ammanford held on to record a crucial win in their bid to avoid relegation and players and fans celebrated at the final whistle.
An away win at Taffs Well proved a crucial turning point in avoiding the drop last season and Ammanford will be hoping for the same this time around.
Ammanford will seek to build on this win when they entertain Afan Lido at the Rec next Friday.
Report Ian Parfitt
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