Incessant sweeping rain didn’t dampen the intent of both Ammanford and Undy in producing a highly entertaining game of football which was fully enjoyed by the hardy crowd of spectators who turned up at the Recreation Ground.
Ammanford got off to a good start and should have taken the lead in the first ten minutes when Ammanford’s Bruno Forkouh broke free of his markers but couldn’t find a finish to round off his good play.
At the other end Ammanford’s captain Rhys Fisher and fellow centre back Euros Griffiths had to be on their toes to stop the Undy forward line. Undy’s robust centre forward Rhys Thomas supported by fellow striker Gareth Cullimore were certainly testing the home defence.
Midway through the half Ammanford’s midfielder Brett Enoch who was having a fine game, broke free in the Undy half but seemed to be fouled but the referee played on and Brett lost control of the ball as he stumbled . Undy regained possession immediately and a threaded pass split the Ammanford defence wide open which allowed Undy striker Rhys Thomas to burst through yards ahead of the nearest Ammanford defender. Thomas took the ball in his stride and took aim, his shot was partially deflected by Ammanford’s goalkeeper Craig Morris but not enough to stop the ball hitting the back of the Ammanford net 0-1.
Ammanford were passing the ball around well on a tricky surface and thought they had equalised when a move led to Ammanford striker Craig Frater taking a close range shot at goal but only for the ball to thump against the goal post and rebound to safety.
As the clock ticked on towards half time it looked as if the visitors were going into half time in the box seat.
However Ammanford broke forward and the pace of Ammanford’s Gavin Jones took him into the Undy penalty area only to have his legs taken from underneath him from a last ditch tackle which resulted in a spot kick for Ammanford.
Ammanford , it’s fair to say have not had the best record of converting spot kicks this season and it was left to full back Richie Lewis to step up to the plate for his team.
Richie placed his shot into the far left corner of the Undy net despite the despairing dive from Undy goalkeeper James Smallcombe to level the scores and a sigh of relief was heard from the home support.
Half Time 1-1
The second half carried on from the first half with both teams looking to gain the upper hand. Ammanford’s Craig Morris made a couple of good stops to keep the scores level. The game was very competitive and got a little heated at times.
The red mist did descend however and it fell on Ammanford’s Euros Griffiths who was adjudged by referee Thomas Bevan to have committed a foul which merited a red card. The home crowd were stunned but Ammanford to their credit reorganised and continued to play their football.
Again after some good play it was Ammanford’s Gavin Jones who broke into the Undy penalty area and for the second time in the game he was felled to the ground. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped left back Richie Lewis to take the spot kick. He hit the ball well but this time the ball struck the outside of the left post and rebounded to safety.
It wasn’t that long after the penalty miss that Ammanford eventually got the upper hand in the game as they continued to pressure their opponents, albeit with ten men.
It was Ammanford’s elegant midfielder Mathew Fisher who picked the ball up midway in the Undy half and drove at the heart of the defence. Fisher dropped his shoulder and fired a powerful low shot which deceived the Undy goalkeeper, the pace of the ball took it passed the keeper’s despairing dive and the ball nestled into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Fisher wheeled away in joy to celebrate with his team mates.
Ammanford now in front for the first time in the game still had some fifteen minutes to defend their lead.
Ammanford substitutes Nick Arnold, Nick Glendon and the experienced Andy Robinson were all called upon to help their team defend the lead.
Undy tried but couldn’t break the stranglehold that Ammanford had on the game.
It was Ammanford who celebrated with their fans at the final whistle to claim all three points.
A fine performance from the home team in the conditions and having to play most of the second half with ten men.
Final Score
Ammanford AFC. 2
Undy FC. 1
