Llanelli Town 1-3 Aberystwyth Town: Match Report

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 26th October 
Llanelli Town 1-3 Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town picked up their second away JD Welsh Premier League victory in the space of a week as they ran out deserved 3-1 winners against Llanelli Town at Stebonheath on Friday evening. First half goals from Paulo Mendes (3) and Ryan Wollacott (41) were enough to give the seasiders a slender half time lead after the hosts had equalised, before Geoff Kellaway's (90) late strike ensured all three points would be heading back to Aber on Friday evening.

With many of Aber's players facing lengthy travel delays on their way down to Stebonheath Friday afternoon, kick off was delayed until 7:55p.m - preparation that was far from ideal for Nev Powell's side ahead of the game. Nevertheless, Town came out of the blocks with a flying start as midfield man Paulo Mendes collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before rounding Llanelli 'keeper Oliver Davies and sliding the ball into the empty net after just 3 minutes and make it 0-1. It was a dream start for the black and greens, but just two minutes later the hosts were level as Terry McCormick came to collect a corner kick through a crowded penalty area, only to see the ball ricochet into the net for 1-1. It was a frantic start to the game, but the visitors slowly got to grips with things despite Mendes going into the book for a cynical pull back on Jordan Davies. On 20 minutes Aber created an opening as Declan Walker earned a free kick on the edge of the box, where Mathew Jones stepped up and hit his first attempt into the wall, but curled his second effort inches over as the ball clipped the crossbar on it's way out for a goal kick. Soon after, Town missed another good opportunity when Walker was inches away from connecting with Jones' corner kick inside the six yard area. Aber looked dangerous with every attack, and on 40 minutes they were handed a fantastic opportunity to go ahead once more as Ryan Edwards was tripped in the box by Anthony Nelson, with referee Nick Pratt pointing to the spot. Captain Declan Walker stepped up to take the penalty, but slipped on his approach and 'keeper Oliver Davies was able to make the save. But just 90 seconds later, Aber did re-take the lead as Mathew Jones whipped a corner kick into the penalty area where Ryan Wollacott was on hand to head the ball into the bottom corner and make it 1-2. It was a lead the visitors deserved as they went into the break on the front foot, backed by Aber's excellent vocal support. 

The black and greens started the second half with an added confidence to their play, but were dealt a major blow on 52 minutes when Paulo Mendes slid in a fraction too late and received a second yellow card and his marching orders from referee Pratt. It looked as though it could become a 'backs to the wall' job for the seasiders with 35 minutes of the half still remaining, but on 58 minutes they very nearly extended their lead when Joe Phillips knocked the ball back for Ash Ruane, who's shot was blocked at the last second by Dan Alfei. On 63 minutes, any hopes the hosts had of using the extra man to their advantage disappeared as Anthony Finselbach slid in on Joe Phillips and received his second yellow of the night, with Llanelli also being reduced to 10 men. From then on, Aber took control of the game and could have extended their lead on 68 minutes when Joe Phillips stung the palms of Davies, before he made way for substitute Geoff Kellaway. On 80 minutes, Ash Ruane was played through on goal by Walker only to be denied by Davies' outstretched hand at the last second, and on 82 minutes Walker's shot was somehow blocked on the goal line by defender Carlos Indja and the visitors still weren't able to put the game to bed. The Town supporters in the stand began to bite their fingernails, wondering whether their team would see the win through, but as the game entered stoppage time Geoff Kellaway was played through by Walker and he slotted the ball clinically beyond the reach of Davies to secure all three points and make it 1-3. 

Aber's players, management and supporters celebrated victory together at full time on what was another great night for the black and greens, happy in the fact that they had moved into the league's top six positions - with 17 points on the board after 12 games. Town will now be keen to extend their 3 game unbeaten run as they enter a tough run of fixtures, starting at home against league champions The New Saints at Park Avenue next Friday evening. 

Teams:
Llanelli Town: O Davies, Nelson (70), Alfei, Indja, C Jones, J Davies, Evans, Owen, Follows (85), Loveridge. Subs: Khaton (85), Jenkins (70), Rees

Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Wollacott, Goodall (90), S Edwards, Walker, Jones, Mendes, Phillips (70), R Edwards, Ruane. Subs: Rimmer (90), Kellaway (70), Blake, Rowe, Coleridge, Jenkins, Morgan