Caerau Ely were in search of back to back wins after an impressive 3-0 win away at Taffs Well last time out.
It was a welcome three points for the home team to aid the fight against relegation.
Meanwhile Ammanford AFC sitting in 6th position in the league and with 31 points already in the bag were looking for a good performance to set the team up for their mouth watering JD Welsh cup tie this coming Friday against Cymru Premier opponents Caernarfon Town.
So it was all to play for in this bottom v top encounter at Cwrt Yr Ala.
The early team news revealed that Ammanford’s Manager Gruff Harrison had included his latest signing Luke Borelli, an experienced striker with a pedigree for scoring goals.
The game got underway on what was a very heavy going pitch, not surprising after our recent spell of rain and an an early morning frost.
Ammanford came out of the blocks quickest and in the first minute of the game created a couple of half chances when Borelli cut in from the right and set up Ammanford’s Craig Frater who couldn’t capitalise and as the ball broke to his fellow striker Gavin Jones who shot narrowly wide of the Caerau goal.
Three minutes later it was Borelli again who broke away and played in Craig Frater who volleyed the ball from 20 yards out and came so close to opening the scoring.
Caerau settled into the game and it became more combative especially in midfield. For Ammanford it was midfielder Brett Enoch who was impacting more for the visitors.
With 25 minutes gone it was Enoch who played a terrific through ball to striker Frater who angled his shot on goal but it was well saved by the home goalkeeper.
With 6 minutes of the first half and both teams trying hard to keep the momentum of the game going it was Ammanford’s Borelli who broke free into the Caerau penalty area but appeals for a foul and possible penalty were waved away by the referee.
So as the whistle blew for half time it was stalemate and all to play for in the second half.
The second half started in much the same way as the first when Ammanford won an immediate corner. The ball was rolled to Ammanford’s Frater who saw his effort on goal blocked cleared to safety.
Five minutes later Ammanford were awarded a free kick some 30 yards out from goal.
Up stepped Frater, who struck the ball well but saw his effort sail just over the crossbar.
With an hour gone, Ammanford made a change by substituting Craig Frater and bringing on the experienced Andy Robinson.
It seemed that neither side could make the breakthrough but with ten minutes of the game to play it was Ammanford’s Bruno Forkouh who was adjudged to be fouled in the penalty area by the referee.
Ammanford’s Andy Robinson stepped up and slotted the spot kick to give the visitors the lead 0-1.
Caerau tried to get themselves back into this hard fought game but in 90th minute they got caught out by a quick Ammanford counter attack and it was left to forward Bruno Forkouh to beat the defence and set up a goal for team mate Gavin Jones who had a tap in from a yard out. 0-2.
It was Ammanford who celebrated at the final whistle and returned back to the Amman Valley with the three points in the bag.
Ammanford Manager Gruff Harrison will be pleased with his team’s performance in this hard fought encounter.
So it’s all eyes now on the JD Welsh Cup tie next Friday 24/01/2020 which is being screened live on TV – S4C Sgorio programme from Ammanford’s Recreation Ground.
