Welsh League Division Three

Ammanford 3 Llanelli Town 5

In a blockbuster top of the table clash, Llanelli ended Ammanford’s unbeaten league record thanks to a 5-3 win at the Recreational Ground on Saturday, writes Nick Davies.

Ammanford went into the match knowing three points would put them on level terms with the Reds, with five games in hand, but the hosts got off to a shaky start with James Kirkwood having to deny an early visitors’ effort.

With 15 minutes played Llanelli signalled their intent when Kirkwood saw another strike fizz past his post, but within minutes the visitors were ahead when former Ammanford man, Richard Lewis sent in a pinpoint cross for Luke Jones to volley into the corner.

A minute later Lewis rattled Kirkwood’s crossbar with an accurate free-kick, finally shaking Ammanford into life in front of a bumper Rec crowd.

The hosts levelled on 24 minutes when Craig Frater’s first-time cross from the right fell for Mikey Morris who saw his effort from the edge of the area parried into the path of Matthew Fisher who tapped in the rebound.

Ammanford almost went ahead when Alec Squires went round the goalkeeper, but his cross fell just out of Morris’ reach.

Llanelli edged ahead again on 29 minutes when from another set-piece Steve Berry curled into the top corner from 25 yards.

But, the league’s second placed side responded with an even better effort, when - on the cusp of half time - former Manchester City academy striker Frater rocketed a thunderbolt of a freekick from all of 30 yards into the top corner.

Ammanford pressed forward after the break.

Fisher played a short set-piece to Brett Enoch, who saw his shot parried before Fisher had his effort from the rebound blocked.

Llanelli struggled to match the pace of Morris, and the visiting captain was cautioned for a robust challenge on the winger.

Ammanford were rewarded for their spell of dominance when Frater smashed in a penalty, his 26th goal of the season, on 61 minutes, after Morris was felled the box.

Llanelli went in search of an equaliser, and almost had it when Kirkwood slipped from when taking a free-kick but reacted brilliantly to deny the Reds striker when one-on-one.

The Ammanford lead did not last much longer however as Lee Bevan headed in from a Declan John corner.

With 15 minutes remaining, Lewis fired his side into a 4-3 lead from the spot to set up a tense finish, after Squires was punished for sliding in.

Ammanford had an effort blocked late on, but the league leaders secured their win when John poked home in the dying embers of the game to condemn Gruff Harrison’s men to their first league defeat of the season after a run of 15 back to back victories.

Ammanford face Pontypridd on Wednesday, before they travel to Bridgend Street on Saturday.