Lewis sets Ammanford on their way!
Two first half goals were enough to give Ammanford a deserved victory against visitors Afan Lido FC in somewhat difficult playing conditions at the Recreation Ground.
Referee Kris Hames deemed the Recreation Ground pitch playable despite the best efforts of storm Jorge to disrupt.
The blustery conditions with bands of rain sweeping in did not detract from nearly 200 supporters turning up and enjoying this JD Cymru South encounter.
Ammanford forced the tempo of the game and with 17 minutes gone it was Ammanford’s Richie Lewis who broke free on the left and fired a low shot which hit the side netting.
Four minutes later it was the same player who again beat the Lido defence but saw his close range shot hit the foot of Lido’s goal post.
Lido did move the ball around the park with midfielder Liam McCreesh finding space in the Ammanford defence. One such move saw McCreesh play in striker Patrick Finneral only to see his shot on goal saved by the feet of Ammanford’s goalkeeper Craig Morris.
The deadlock was eventually broken after half an hours play when an Ammanford cross from the right was floated into the Lido box and it was Ammanford’s Richie Lewis who rose above his marker to powerfully head the ball into the Lido net. 1-0.
It didn’t take long for Ammanford to double their advantage when another superb cross from Ammanford’s Captain Mathew Jones found teammate Luke Borelli in space at the far post. Borelli took his chance by placing his half volley shot into the back of the net from close range. 2-0.
A deserved lead at half time for the home team.
The second half saw the weather conditions deteriorate with both teams trying to gain the upper hand in possession of the ball.
Ammanford’s Mathew Fisher had the first real chance of the second half but saw his shot blocked and slow up on the muddy surface as it rolled towards the goal and eventually cleared away to safety.
Lido were dealt a major blow to their hopes , when their playmaker Liam McCreesh sustained a nasty injury which held the game up for quite a few minutes whilst being treated.
Ammanford were in control and asserting themselves on the game with Dale Jones , Ben Soal and Mathew Fisher seeing more of the ball in the middle of the park whilst the back four of Ammanford dealing with any attacking play from the visitors. Ammanford forward Gavin Jones was twisting and turning the Lido defence and showing a fair degree of skill on a difficult surface.
Ammanford brought on forwards Lee Trundle and Tristan Jenkins in the latter stages of this game.
Trundle played in his fellow substitute Tristan Jenkins with what seemed a clear run in on goal but the Lido defence held firm and managed to clear the danger.
The game ended with Ammanford running out deserved winners on the day by two goals to nil and thus ending a run of recent defeats.
Ammanford Manager Gruff Harrison will be pleased with his team’s performance and the three points!
