Welsh League Division Three

Ammanford 2 Tredegar Town 1

In a game of two halves Ammanford AFC narrowed the gap at the top of the Welsh League Division Three to just three points thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tredegar Town at the Recreational Ground, writes Nick Davies.

The visitors performed admirably and arguably deserved at least a point come the final whistle after putting Ammanford under pressure from the first, with home keeper James Kirkwood called into action early.

On 13 minutes, Kirkwood was again on hand to tip over a shot from inside the area. But, he was soon beaten by Tomas Lynch who rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home after 16 minutes.

Kirkwood was tested from range after 30 minutes, however he denied Tredegar to keep the hosts in the game.

Ammanford got their first real opportunity on 40 minutes only for Kurt Morgan to miss the target from a half volley. The midfielder then found himself on the end of the home side’s best chance of the half, but he leant back on his shot and the effort sailed over.

After the interval, lacklustre Ammanford finally upped their game. Alec Squires came on and slotted into the middle of the side’s 4-3-3 as the league’s second placed side made a fast start to the half.

On 52 minutes, Mikey Morris’ cross was met in the box, and despite the ball rolling in, a penalty was awarded for a push in the area. Ashley Richards stepped up to the mark, but his powerful shot from 12 yards was saved.

But, it mattered, only a minute later Craig Frater squared for Brett Enoch in the box after a darting run down the left, and the wide man cut inside before slotting into the gaping net to bring his side level.

After the goal Tredegar came back into the game. Lynch nearly put his side ahead when he rounded the keeper on 63 minutes, but his shot was cleared off the line by Euros Griffiths.

Soon after, Kirkwood held a header to deny them once more and the hosts made them pay for missed chances. Richards met a ball on the left of the area after a free kick and made up for his earlier missed penalty by coolly slotting into the corner of the net.

Frater and Squires then came close with efforts of their own as the home side went in search of a third.

The league’s sixth placed side refused to give up however and Lynch posed an aerial threat, but his effort was held. Minutes later, Ammanford’s defence held strong again to block Tredegar’s efforts off the line.

With minutes left, the South-East Wales outfit missed a golden opportunity to draw level when a free header fell wide.

Ammanford held on for the win though, to reduce the gap at the top after Llanelli slipped up at Caerau.

The top two meet at the Recreational Ground this Saturday with Ammanford holding five games in hand over the leaders.