NEWTOWN 0   LLANELLI 2

     This latest success elevates the Reds back to the top of the Welsh Premier League following the shock Friday evening defeat of The New Saints at Gap Connah`s Quay, and they lead their Oswestry based rivals by a single point, having exactly the same goal difference and with a game in hand.

     They were without the suspended Antonio Corbisiero and Craig Jones who was unavailable, but the contest overall was far from being a classic with too many long balls being employed by both sides, leading to an overall poor quality game.

     Newtown came closest to opening the scoring when a ball over the top forced Ashley Morris off his line to hack clear of the onrushing Jamie Breeze in the nick of time, before a Chris Venables free kick to the far post led to Rhys Griffiths heading it back into the middle, but nobody was able to take advantage.

     David Roberts in the home goal made a comfortable catch from a Griffiths volley, while at the opposite end, a firm tackle by Lee Jarman at the expense of a corner denied Ross Stephens when he got into the box.

     Newtown were reduced to ten men after 21 minutes following a straight red card on Damien Daniels by referee Huw Jones when he launched himself recklessly at Stuart Jones, who thankfully recovered after treatment.

     Even with the disadvantage, the Robins could well have taken the lead after Morris made a complete hash of clearing a Wyn Thomas back pass, allowing Paul Roberts the chance, but to his credit, the Reds keeper redeemed himself by just managing to get enough on the ball and divert it inches beyond the far upright.                         

     Having survived this close call, the visitors hit back with Venables directing his header wide when Craig Moses provided the cross, and the same two players were involved again with Venables narrowly failing to connect with a Moses ball across the goalmouth.

     A dangerous cross into the area by Breeze was well dealt with by Thomas, and when Craig Williams won possession deep inside his own half, he made inroads into Reds territory before firing off target.

     Scoreless at the break, the visitors almost broke the deadlock with Craig Hutchinson heading off the line a Griffiths header when Andy Legg put over a far post cross, but it was the home side who then missed the best chance to date with Williams finding himself clear through the middle with only Morris to beat, but the Reds keeper was equal to the threat, diverting away the shot, and when the ball ran loose, Roberts blasted wide of an open goal.

     Jordan Follows replaced Moses after 51 minutes, but Newtown were still causing their opponents some concern with Roberts winning a battle for possession from Thomas before Morris dealt with his strike on target.

     The stalemate was eventually broken when the Reds went ahead on 65 minutes following a Legg corner which Jones met with a firm header to power it past the goalkeeper.

     This success seemed to spur on the Reds, and when Jason Bowen jinked his way through the home defence, the ball was played back in some panic towards his own goal by Williams, forcing Roberts to dive at full length to push it around the post.

     Venables played Follows into space before a crude tackle from Gavin Cadwallader brought him down on the edge of the box, but Thomas blasted the resulting free kick well over the top.

     Follows was involved again when a long kick out by Morris led to the dimunitive striker finding Legg who in turn crossed for Griffiths to direct a header downwards, only for the outstretched leg of the goalkeeper to keep it out.

     Two minutes from time, the visitors sealed matters with Follows turning in from close range a delivery by Bowen following a good build up involving Griffiths and Legg.

     There was still time for Roberts to deny Follows when another strike was goalbound, while Venables just failed to connect with a Legg cross to the far upright.

     Another victory, albeit not achieved with much flair or purpose by the Reds, who face another difficult trip on Tuesday evening to Airbus, themselves 2-0 winners over Aberystwyth Town, and they will certainly have to up their game if they hope to come away with the three points.

 

                                                             MATCH STATS.

     LLANELLI;    A. Morris; Howard; Legg (Frater, 90+2); Jarman; S. Jones; Thomas; Bowen;

                          Moses (Follows, 51); Griffiths ©; Holloway; Venables; Subs. not used; Evans;

                         Mumford; Batley.

     GOAL CHART;    Llanelli – S. Jones, 65; Follows, 88.

     YELLOW CARDS;   Newtown – Cadwallader.

                                     Llanelli – Thomas; Jarman.

     RED CARD;             Newtown – Daniels.

     LLANELLI MAN OF THE MATCH ;    Stuart Jones.

     REFEREE;   Mr. Huw Jones (Llanraeadar-ym-Mochnant).

     ATTENDANCE;            201.