Match Reports
HOPE FOR VENABLES PDF Print E-mail

Reds midfielder, CHRIS VENABLES, has declared himself fit for tomorrow's clash with champions THE NEW SAINTS, at Stebo (KO 3.45pm). Vanables hopes to return to the fray after recovering from a broken toe sustained in the Europa League game with FK Tauras at Stebo.  Chris Holloway trained on Friday night and  has a 50/50 chance of making the starting line up tomorrow. Definitely out will be Jason Bowen who injured his neck in the 2 0 defeat at Bangor City last Saturday. Late fitness tests will be carried out on Rhys Griffiths, Ashley Morris, Stuart Jones and Martyn Giles. Giles also trained on Friday.
 
REDS LOSE AT BANGOR CITY PDF Print E-mail
Bangor City                                   2         Dave Morley 7'(p) Jamie Reed 36'
Llanelli AFC                                   0
 
Early omens were not good for the Reds when heavy traffic delayed their arrival at Farrar Road with the scheduled 2 p.m kick off delayed by fifteen minutes.
     Already hit by a spate of injuries the visitors brought in Scott Evans for his first senior start, but were still without some key players, and things went awry as early as the eighth minute.
     Stuart Jones, sent off last season in the Welsh Cup for a foul which led to the award of a penalty, must have felt a sense of déjà vu when he again conceded another when his challenge on Jamie Reed was adjudged to be unfair, but this time only received a yellow card, and David Morley easily despatched the kick past Craig Richards.
     Jones atoned somewhat for his earlier indiscretion by clearing a dangerous ball into the area by Reed, who was to prove to be a thorn in the Reds side all afternoon, but was not so clinical at the other end when the Reds got into the Bangor box, blazing over the bar when the chance presented itself.
     The home side were dictating the play with their opponents on the back foot, and they went further ahead on 36th minutes following a clearance by Peter Hoy which was brilliantly controlled by Reed who turned Wyn Thomas before firing low across Richards into the bottom corner.
     As if the Reds did not have enough problems, Jones was forced off the field injured four minutes from the break, Andy Legg coming on in his place, and with almost his first touch brought down Reed when he seized on a Craig Garside pass, but Richards was able to retrieve the situation.
     Alan Bull was denied by the Reds keeper when he saved at his feet following a cross into the middle, while Rhys Griffiths headed wide of the home goal and Bangor keeper, Paul Smith, was first to a floated ball by Owain Warlow, also back in the Reds side.
     Hardly in the contest in the first half, the visitors did display more enterprise in the second without really posing a threat in front of goal, and with Jordan Follows on in place of Jason Bowen, at least added to their attacking options.
     Warlow went down in the box under a challenge, but the referee waved play on, before Follows had a shot blocked when Legg set up the chance and Wyn Thomas directed a header off target, as did Craig Moses when he met a Legg throw in.
     James Brewerton did well at the far post with a clearing header when Legg delivered in a free kick, but the Reds went closest to scoring when Warlow unleashed a fierce shot on target which was brilliantly pushed over by Smith.
     Evans found Wyn Thomas with a cross, but again the header failed to trouble Smith, and despite the visitors pressure, it was Bangor who had the chance of increasing their lead when they were awarded a second penalty following a Legg tackle on the dangerous Reed when he got into the area in the 77th minute.
     This time, Bull took the kick, but his feeble effort was easily saved by Richards, and the Reds could well have made their opponents pay for this lapse when Griffiths was put clear on a run, but failed to find the net, dragging his shot wide with only Smith to beat.
     A Chris Thomas delivery to the head of Griffiths again failed to produce a result, and Thomas himself shot over the bar when Griffiths returned the compliment by heading the ball down into his path.
     The home side might then have well gone three up after Les Davies found himself in acres of space on the left, and although he sent his effort beyond the advancing figure of Richards, a last ditch clearance off the line by Antonio Corbisiero saved the day for the Reds.
     The match ended with the visitors probably lucky not to have suffered a far heavier defeat, but things do not get any easier for them with the visit of champions The New Saints to Stebonheath next Saturday in a live televised game, kick off 3.45 p.m.
 
  
Bangor City
Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, James Brewerton, Craig Garside, Jamie Reed (Clive Williams
89'), Mike Johnston, Alan Bull, Chris Jones (Eddie Jebb 81'), Sion Edwards (Les Davies 67')
Red Cards:             None
Yellow Cards:        None
Llanelli AFC
Craig Richards, Chris Thomas, Scott Evans, Stuart Jones (Andy Legg 39'), Wyn Thomas, Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Jason Bowen (Jordan Follows 46'), Chris Llewellyn, Craig Moses (Adam Orme 84'), Owain Warlow
Subs not used: Ryan Batley, Stephen Jenkins.
Red Cards:             None
Yellow Cards:        Jones 7' Moses 47' Warlow 62' W. Thomas 71'
Attendance 671
 
 
REDS TAKE DEPLETED SQUAD TO BANGOR PDF Print E-mail
Red’s boss Andy Legg has defended his injury hit squad ahead of today’s match at Bangor City, writes Matthew Burgess of www.southwalespremierfootball.com
 Llanelli travel to undefeated Bangor on the back of last week’s 3-0 defeat to Port Talbot, but Legg refuses to become despondent with his worsening selection problems.
 “People mustn’t get carried away and think we’re a bad side because we’re not.” he explained.
 “On our day, with our best eleven we’re a match for anybody. It’s just a case that we’re having some bad luck with injuries but we’ve got to get on with it.
 “We’ve had a difficult start with Airbus, Port Talbot, Bangor and TNS. I don’t think it could be any tougher. We won’t shy away (against Bangor) and have a good go and try our best.”
 Chris Holloway and Martyn Giles limped off in last Friday’s defeat against Port Talbot whilst Ross Jones is hit with a one match ban for his dismissal from the same game. Ashley Morris, Chris Venables, and Craig Moses are also all expected to miss out whilst Jason Bowen is also a doubt.
 Owain Warlow, released by the club during the summer, has agreed to return on a non-contract basis to ease selection concerns but Legg has confirmed that any further additions to the Red’s squad are unlikely.
 Bangor have seen off Neath and Bala Town in their first two fixtures and Legg believes the Citizens will provide a tough challenging for his young side.
 “It’s a test of character to see how they (Llanelli) stand up and react after a heavy defeat. It’s a good learning curve for the kids but it’s actually something that I’m looking forward to. It’ll give me an indication how they are going to react, Bangor is difficult place to go and in my opinion, they’re one of favourites to do well this year and are looking good. It’s tough there with a full time, with a depleted squad it’s very tough. We won’t shy away, we’ve got to get on with it.”
 
Betting: Bangor 6/4 Draw 11/5 Llanelli 6/4 Draw
 
 
REDS SUFFER FRIDAY NIGHT SHOCK! PDF Print E-mail
LLANELLI 0 PORT TALBOT TOWN 3

The REDS suffered a shock defeat against near rivals Port Talbot; with the Steelmen having conceded eleven goals without reply from their three previous Welsh Premier visits to Stebonheath Park, there was a complete change of fortune, with the scales favouring the visitors, as they struck three times during the last thirty minutes. (reports Robert Clement).
    It was the first time since last November for the Reds to suffer such a major setback on home territory, inflicted upon them by current champions The New Saints.
    The combination of Liam McCreesh, Luke Bowen and Nathan Cotterrall proved to be the difference, with the three players on target to secure the points, to add to their previous week’s victory against Bala Town.
    With the Reds having gained the ideal kick-start to their league campaign, with kingpin striker Rhys Griffiths securing victory at Airbus (UK) Broughton with a goal in each half, he was once again eager to repeat a similar outcome. 
    The occasion also proved to be a milestone for former Swansea City youth products Stuart Jones and Antonio Corbisiero, with them making their 200th appearance, after putting pen to paper in 2005
    With former Haverfordwest striker Bowen stretching the Llanelli back line with a goal effort going over the top after ten minutes, Ross Jones was cautioned by referee Paul Thomas following a challenge on Drew Fahiya, within four minutes of his introduction following the departure of the injured Chris Holloway.
    Llanelli gradually came more into the picture, and when a Wyn Thomas free kick found Martyn Giles, it was Lee Kendall who prevented the attacking full back from making the breakthrough, applying a punched clearance in the congested goalmouth.
    The Reds continued to pose a threat, and when Jordan Follows appeared to be fouled by Kye Edwards, the Porth based match official turned down the strong penalty appeal. 
    Nine minutes before the interval, Llanelli were applying an additional attacking option after Gareth Phillips had halted Corbisiero’s progress into Port Talbot territory.
    Wyn Thomas was however unfortunate, with the rearguard action of Matthew Rees relieving pressure on the defence with a timely clearance.
    There was a second controversial incident five minutes into the second half, when following a left sided delivery by Griffiths, Ross Jones appeared to clash with Kendall who then required lengthy medical treatment, which resulted in the youngster being sent off for the additional yellow card offence.
    With Llanelli clearly hampered by that dismissal, Port Talbot began to display greater authority, and they went in front just after the hour, with McCreesh finding the net from close range, after Bowen’s initial effort was blocked on the goal-line.
    Midway into the half, Craig Moses was unlucky with a downward header bouncing up and over the crossbar following a Chris Llewellyn free kick, after Rees had obstructed Griffiths.
    Within a minute of that option, Moses was once more probing Port Talbot’s defensive qualities, but despite the visitors defence being caught off guard, the former Neath and Newtown player hurriedly fired wide of the target.
    The action then immediately switched to the opposite end with a lengthy kick from Kendall, which was snapped upon by Bowen, and despite Craig Richards doing his best to deny the frontrunner, Bowen fired a low shot into the net.
    There was a possibility for Griffiths to chalk up his season’s third goal during the 72nd minute, only for him to direct the ball inches wide of the upright, following a delightful opening by Chris Thomas.
    With the game well into added on time, Llanelli were rocked by a third goal for Port Talbot when the combination of the late replacements, saw Matthew Thompson find Cotterrall in space, with him then finishing off, despatching the ball into the roof of the net.
    “We were second best from the first whistle, and there are no excuses, we were just not at the races”, said manager Andy Legg.
    “”It doesn’t help when you lose two major players through injury, along with a penalty appeal which was turned down”.
    “Regrettably we also lost Ross Jones following a second yellow card offence, he said that he didn’t touch Lee Kendall, he’s quite an honest person, and it didn’t help with him having already been issued with an earlier caution”.
    Legg agreed that it is not going to get any easier, with Bangor City along with The New Saints coming up. “It’s a tough start for us and it doesn’t help losing Chris Holloway and Martyn Giles, and it’s frustrating, because were a decent side, and we’re now facing top class opponents who’ve been involved in European competition like ourselves.”
    “We’ve already got Chris Venables sidelined, now Chris Holloway in likely to be out for three or four weeks with a hamstring injury, so it’s going to be quite difficult”    
    With a series of in’s and out’s during the summer, Legg added, “We are going with more youth than experience, because financial reasons dictate that situation, and that is the way the world is these days, especially in the current climate”.
   “It doesn’t matter what team I put on the pitch, I expect to win, but regrettably, they were not good enough to gain the three points on offer”.
    Team check: - Llanelli: Craig Richards, Chris Thomas, Martyn Giles (Ryan Batley 41st min), Stuart Jones (capt), Wyn Thomas (Jason Bowen 79th min), Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Chris Holloway (Ross Jones 8th min), Chris Llewellyn, Craig Moses, Jordan Follows. Substitutes not used: - Andrew Legg, Adam Orme.
    Port Talbot : Lee Kendall, Leigh De-Vulgt, Lloyd Grist, Gareth Phillips (Matthew Thompson 87th min), Matthew Rees (capt), Kye Edwards, Lee John (Karl Lewis 86th min), Luke Bowen, Martin Rose, Liam McCreesh, Drew Fahiya (Nathan Cotterrall 90th min+2).
    Score summary: - Port Talbot: Liam McCreesh 61st min, Luke Bowen 69th min, Nathan Cotterrall 90th min +4.
    Yellow cards: - Llanelli: Ross Jones 12th min, 50th min, Martyn Giles 22nd min.
    Port Talbot: Gareth Phillips 73rd min.
    Red card: - Llanelli: Ross Jones 50th min.
    Referee: - Paul Thomas (Porth).
    Attendance: - 274.
 
 Robert Clement.
 
Legg rues injuries ahead of Llanelli clash with Port Talbot PDF Print E-mail
Llanelli player/manager Andy Legg again faces the prospect of being without several first team players for tomorrow’s visit of Port Talbot Town (19:30).
Andy Legg watched on last weekend as his injury-hit Llanelli side edged to three points against Airbus, with a list of absentees which included Ashley Morris, Martyn Giles, Chris Venables, Craig Moses and Jason Bowen. Llanelli’s injury problems show no sign of letting up ahead of tomorrow night’s derby.
“We’ll have at least four or five players out tomorrow,” rued Legg. “We could have one back at the maximum and he’s a doubt.”
Port Talbot began their campaign with an assured 2-0 victory against Bala at the GenQuip stadium last Sunday, and having strengthened the squad once again over the summer, the Blues will be looking to end a run of six league visits without victory at Stebonheath. Mark Jones’s side will however be without David Brookes, who faces a six week layoff after suffering a broken metatarsal, on his goalscoring debut. Craig Jones and Nicky Holland will also both miss out through injury against their former club through injury but the attacking qualities of Liam McCreesh, Martin Rose and Luke Bowen should prove to be a significant threat against Llanelli.
“It’s going to be very tough, local derbies always are anyway but we always have a tough game against Port Talbot.” Andy Legg told www.southwalesfootball.com.
Former Port Talbot striker Rhys Griffiths scored both goals last weekend in Llanelli’s 2-1 win against Airbus, but Legg will be hoping for a report performance from 19 year old goalkeeper, Craig Richards, who saved a penalty and pulled off a string of saves on a highly impressive debut.
“He’s full of confidence and since he’s come into team he’s done exceptionally well.” Explained the Llanelli player/manager. “(His form) doesn’t surprise us having seen him in training and previous games. Nothing fazes him. He’s a good lad...he’s down to earth and will be looking forward to the game.”
Legg meanwhile remains ambitious as ever for the new season despite releasing several senior players as the club is forced to readjust its budget:
“My ambitions don’t change. I want to win every game and win the league title. That’s the way we set out and that’s the way we’ll continue.
“It’s very difficult, we’ve let six or seven senior players go and we’ll have to go with a lot young players. It’s going to be tough but it’ll be a good learning curve for the youngsters and will hopefully embed the team for Llanelli in the future. We’ve got a much smaller squad (this season), we signed a couple of youngsters last week (Scott Evans and Andy Orme). It’s a chance for them to get into the team, stake their claim and keep their place.
“My ambition is still the same; it won’t change no matter what team I put out. I want to win the league and I want to win the cups. It’s going to be a tough league this year with Bangor, TNS and Port Talbot... and Airbus and Aberystwyth.
“Bangor, Port Talbot, TNS and Neath have all strengthened. There’s a massive amount of games to played and it’s going to be tough for my young boys but it’ll be a good learning curve for them”.
Matthew Burgess
http://southwalesfootball.wordpress.com
 
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