Ammanford outgunned despite Rano heroics (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford outgunned despite Rano heroics

6:30am Thursday 5th April 2012 in Sport

Welsh League Football Division Two Monmouth Town 4 Ammanford 0 RELEGATION-THREATENED Ammanford were totally outplayed by clear Championship favourites Monmouth, who guaranteed themselves promotion as well as putting themselves in the driving seat for the title with a comprehensive victory over the visitors.

Ammanford had lost the earlier encounter between the sides 4-1 at the Rec and, with James Murray and Steffan Hughes both unavailable, things were always likely to be difficult for the Amman Valley side.

However, despite finding themselves under considerable early pressure, the visitors held on to their clean sheet for the first 20 minutes, thanks in no small part to a series of fine saves from keeper Jamie Rano.

But things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Rhys Fishers and Shaun Fender both saw their afternoons end early due to injury.

Monmouth finally made the breakthrough on 25 minutes and should have been out of sight by the interval, but missed three glaring opportunities to ensure the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw Rano called into action almost immediately, and his defence, with Euros Griffiths outstanding throughout, found themselves under constant pressure.

The second goal duly came on 55 minutes and worse was to follow as two defensive lapses saw the hosts extend their advantage to a comfortable four goals.

Ammanford did manage to cause their opposite numbers some anxious moments through their occasional forays into the Monmouth area, but ultimately they were lucky to only concede four.

Although Ammanford remain in control of their own Division Two destiny, they travel to second-placed Tata Steel tonight (Wednesday) and then visit Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Saturday.

There was however some good news as Murray confirmed his availability for the final fourmatches of the campaign.