Ammanford 1 Goytre 2

AMMANFORD welcomed table-topping Goytre to the Rec knowing they faced a massive task to stifle the runaway league leaders.

The visitors boasted a perfect record ahead of the meeting, with 14 league wins on the bounce, but Ammanford’s youngsters got off to the ideal start.

After just four minutes the hosts got their noses in front thanks to a goal from star man Matthew Fisher.

On a heavy pitch and with an upset in the offing, Ammanford’s young guns dug deep, as the match turned into a midfield battle, with the majority of the action taking place around the halfway line.

Gruff Harrison’s men looked to be capable of holding out against a side who had scored 45 goals in their previous 14 games but, with half-time in sight, the inevitable happened.

The visitors claimed a corner on 35 minutes and when Ammanford failed to clear, the visitors were able to tap home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

The sides balanced each other out up to the interval, but after the break the visitors came out determined to confirm their status as champions in waiting.

Even then it was not plain sailing for Goytre, as Ammanford withstood the storm and defender Euros Griffiths put in a man-ofthe- match performance to keep the visiting hordes at bay.

With the clock ticking down, and having held out against unceasing pressure, Harrison’s men seemed to have a point within their grasp, only for Ammanford’s hearts to be broken at the death.

With 86 minutes gone, the visitors snatched the lead with a superb header.

Even at the death, Ammanford could have snatched a battling draw as, in the final minute, Alex Thomas broke through to find himself one-on-one with the visiting keeper. The Goytre number one proved equal to the effort and ensured a deserved victory for the visitors.

Despite the defeat, Ammanford remain in second after Aberbargoed could only muster a drawat sixthplaced Undy Athletic. The Buds, however, retain a game in hand.

Ammanford travel to 12th-placed Croesyceiliog on Saturday.