Welsh League Division Three

Ammanford 2 Llantwit Major 0

Ammanford closed the gap on Division Three leaders Llanelli to just nine points with a 2-0 home win against Llantwit Major at the Recreational Ground, writes Nick Davies

After a drab start, the hosts began to take control of proceedings and, on 14 minutes, Dayle Selvage whipped in a corner which was met by the head of Rhys Owen, who thumped his effort against the post before it settled in the net.

Craig Frater attempted to catch the keeper out from 22 yards out soon after, but his lob settled on the roof of the net. Kurt Morgan impressed in the middle of the park, but failed to find the back of the net when his long-range attempt was held by the keeper on 24 minutes.

Llantwit barely threatened in the first half, but came close when a free kick, on 32 minutes, from the left was flicked wide.

The hosts’ intricate play had counted for little, but they doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Mikey Morris powerfully fired in his second Welsh League goal after Matthew Fisher threaded the winger through on goal.

The away side nearly responded before the break, but from yards out their attacker fired over the bar.

After the break, the home side’s back four held strong from the visitors’ pressure, and forced the league’s ninth-placed side to shoot from range, but Jamie Rano was on hand to deny them.

They did nearly reduce the deficit on 63 minutes, but fired over.

Frater had an opportunity to increase his side’s lead when Morgan played him through, but the forward took his effort early and it curled wide.

With 15 minutes remaining, the home side had a simple chance to close out the game, but when Brett Enoch squared for Fisher, he blasted over the bar from two yards out when it seemed easier to score.

Unlike last week, Ammanford needn’t salvage the win in the dying embers of the game against their Glamorgan counterparts as they gained all three points to continue their 100% league record, with just their third clean sheet of the season.

The Carmarthenshire outfit are now nine points behind leaders Llanelli with six games in hand, after the Reds’ 3-0 loss to Cardiff Corinthians this weekend.

Ammanford face Rhoose at Jenner Park on Tuesday night before Tredegar visit the Rec on Saturday February 7.