Welsh League Division Three

Ammanford 3 Newport CS 1

Ammanford bounced back from their midweek loss to Llanelli Town with a 3-1 win over struggling Newport Civil Service at the Rec.

It was not all plain sailing for the hosts however as, just minutes in, the away side cut inside and curled over the bar as they looked for an early opener.

Then on 18 minutes CS again threatened and fired just wide of James Kirkwood’s goal.

Ammanford had their first real opportunity on 28 minutes, as Kurt Morgan played a delightful through ball for Matthew Fisher from just inside the opposition’s half, but Fisher could only fire over.

With 30 minutes on the clock, the visitors gained the lead.

After a phase of play in the middle of the Ammanford half, Newport’s effort looped over Kirkwood and into the top corner.

Dayle Selvage and Fisher both tested the goalkeeper before the interval, but the home side went into the break 1-0 down.

Looking down the barrel of a second consecutive defeat, Gruff Harrison’s men responded.

A quick and lively start to the second period paid dividends when, having volleyed over minutes previously, Fisher went on a mazy run; gliding past defenders, before firing into the bottom corner on 55 minutes.

Civil Service’s claims for a penalty two minutes later were turned down after the ball seemingly hit Rhys Owen’s arm. But Ammanford soon took control over proceedings as they looked to gain the lead for the first time in the match.

And it came on 64 minutes when Lloyd Davies’s effort from Ashley Richard’s cross deflected to goalscorer, Fisher, whose effort was parried by the goalkeeper to Mikey Morris who tapped into the gaping net.

Soon after, Selvage headed wide from a free-kick and then volleyed wide from range as the league’s second placed side looked to kick on.

Craig Frater’s introduction almost brought immediate rewards as he shot wide on 74 minutes and late on he missed a golden opportunity to get on the scoresheet when he blasted over when well placed, after Mikey Morris threaded the striker through.

But, in the dying embers of the game Ammanford did stretch their lead after the goalkeeper was dismissed for bringing down Fisher when through on goal. Frater stepped up and bagged his 29th goal of the season as he fired home from 12 yards.