Welsh League Division Two

West End 1

Ammanford 2

Ammanford kicked off life back in Welsh League Division Two with a hard fought 2-1 victory over West End United on Saturday, writes Nick Davies.

It was the hosts who dominated the opening proceedings though and on 10 minutes, the home side went close when a cross was headed over at the back post.

Minutes later, they had claims for a penalty turned down and their forward was booked for simulation.

West End continued to press and on 19 minutes, tested new Ammanford goalkeeper Daf Jones, but the shot-stopper held on to a low effort.

Ammanford got their first effort away on goal halfway through the first period when Ross Morgan, a new signing from Bwlch, fired an effort wide from outside the area.

A minute later, the visitors took the lead when Ashley Richards was first to a bouncing ball in the area and beat off the challenge of the goalkeeper and a defender to nod home.

Richards then headed another effort in after a shot from a corner went skyward, but the goal as ruled out.

Just on the brink of half-time, Jones made a brilliant point blank save at his near post to maintain Ammanford’s lead.

After the break, the home side sent in a brilliant cross from the right but they headed over at the back post as a good chance gone begging.

On 57 minutes, hero turned villain as Richards was sent off for obscene language. But Ammanford were on level footing with their opponents soon again as a West End defender was dismissed after a second yellow.

The Carmarthenshire side doubled their lead on 69 minutes when Mikey Morris got his second assist of the match when he expertly rolled in Kurt Morgan from the right, who finished with aplomb.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Swansea outfit reduced the deficit when they headed in to set up a tense finish.

In the dying embers of the game, Jones punched a ball delivered into the area and West End had an open goal to equalis, but the referee blew up for a free kick and Ammanford held on to get their campaign off to the perfect start.