Wales League Division Three

Newport YMCA 1 Ammanford 3

Playing against a side who had won their last five league matches was always likely to prove a stern test for Ammanford, but with the visitors enjoying a perfect three-from-three start of their own confidence was high on the trip to Newport.

The fixture was always going to prove as much about grit and determination as it was footballing skill, with the heavy pitch likely to mar Ammanford’s slick passing game.

However, the visitors got off to a dream start when when Ashley Richards was first to react to a loose ball and fired home with his first touch to put Ammanford 1-0 up after just 20 seconds.

Ammanford thought they had earned a penalty on 15 minutes, but the referee waved play on and five minutes later only a smart diving save from keeper Kirkwood saw off a snapshot.

The save was to prove key, as within two minutes Ben Soal had doubled the Ammanford advantage after a long Kirkwood kick was brought down by Craig Frater.

Frater used his strength to hold up play and see off the Newport challenge before releasing Soal to fire home.

Within minutes Frater added his name to the scoresheet with a smart turn and shot which left the home keeper no chance.

The visitors suffered a major setback when Alex Squires was dismissed for a second yellow.

The hosts looked to make the most of their numerical advantage and pulled a goal back when Rhys Owen’s defensive header was deflected into the net.

The referee levelled the numbers when Newport were reduced to ten men, but still the hosts came forward and it took two smart goal-line clearances from Owen and a brilliant Kirkwood save on 80 minutes to keep them out.

Ammanford travel to Treharris on Saturday before hosting Cwm Welfare on Tuesday.