Match Report: Baglan Dragons 0-2 Ammanford AFC

Credit: Gabe Morris

Ammanford rounded off a difficult week with a strong 2-0 away victory against Baglan Dragons.

 

In their first fixture since the departure of legendary boss Gruff Harrison, a management team of Sean Cresser, Wyn Thomas and Jack Long stewarded Town to a confident victory thanks to second half efforts from Euros Griffiths and Tristan Jenkins.



The visitors, giving a league debut to their new green away kit, nearly took an early lead when Lewis Reed worked himself some space inside the area. However, despite his effort beating Matthew Stanton in the home goal, his effort bounced back off the post and twas cleared to safety. 

 

The Dragons were controlling the ball well in midfield and carved out two openings of their own, neither of which failed to trouble Luke Martin before Adam John’s strike from distance went narrowly over the bar. 

 

Ammanford ended the half the stronger and carved out two good chances to close out the opening stanza. Euros Griffiths’ cushioned volley from a well worked volley went narrowly wide before Reed came within inches of connecting with a well drilled cross into the box as the sides went into the dressing rooms deadlocked.

 

The second period started at a much faster pace than the first ended and both sides created early openings. The Dragons had the ball in the back of the net but the linesman’s flag denied the hosts the opener. 

 

Meanwhile at the other end, John stung the palms of Stanton before Griffiths headed over from a set piece.

 

The goal finally came in the 52nd minute. John’s freekick was whipped into the back post and Griffiths made no mistake with a smart finish to give Town the initiative.



Despite the goal, the game continued at the same frantic pace. Leon Croucher went close to a leveller from the edge of the box before Jenkins saw a glorious effort superbly stopped to prevent the visitors doubling their advantage. 

 

But the winger made amends in spectacular fashion half way through the second half. After a great cross from the right wing found Jenkins inside the area, he turned brilliantly and his finish found the back of the net.

 

The two goal lead boosted Ammanford’s confidence and they were not playing with more attacking freedom. Jenkins nearly got his second of the afternoon but was denied by a brilliant diving save.


Tom Davies and Dan Mason went close for the home side who showed plenty of effort to try and get back into the game however, a strong defensive performance ensured Town kept their first clean sheet of the campaign, with it ensuring their first win of the 2024/25 term.

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Orffennodd Rhydaman wythnos anodd gyda buddugoliaeth campus yn erbyn Dreigiau Baglan.

Ar ôl iddynt golli’r hyfforddwr Gruff Harrison yng nghanol yr wythnos, sicrhaodd goliau gan Euros Griffiths a Tristan Jenkins yn yr ail hanner ddiweddglo gwell i wythnos ofnadwy i’r clwb pêl-droed.

Bu bron i Rhydaman fynd ar y blaen yn gynnar yn y gêm wrth i Lewis Reed weithio gwagle yn y cwrt cosbi. Troiodd yn wych ond er i’w ergyd fynd heibio Matthew Stanton, tarodd y postyn a glaniodd yn ddiogel.

Roedd y Dreigiau yn rheoli’r bêl yn dda a chreuwyd dau gyfle ond methon nhw â thrafferthu Luke Martin yng nghôl Rhydaman cyn i Adam John weld ergyd yn mynd modfeddi dros y bar.

Orffennodd Rhydaman y cryfaf o’r ddau dîm ac fe greon nhw ddau gyfle gwych ar ddiwedd y 45 munud agoriadol. Yn gyntaf, aeth foli Euros Griffiths o fewn modfeddi i’r postyn pellaf o gic rhydd daclus cyn i Reed fynd o fewn trwch blewyn i gysylltu gyda chroesiad pwerus o ymyl y cwrt wrth i’r ddau dîm fynd i’r ystafelloedd newid yn ddi-sgor.

Dechreuodd yr ail hanner yn llawer cyflymach nag orffennodd yr hanner cyntaf ac aeth y ddau dîm yn agos at agor y sgôr yn gynnar. Wnaeth y Dreigiau roi’r bêl yn gefn y rhwyd ond cododd fflag y llinellwr i roi stop i’r dathliadau. Ar y pen arall, peniodd Griffiths dros y trawst ac aeth John yn agos o bellter.

Ond ar ôl 53 munud, aeth Rhydaman ar y blaen. Aeth cic rhydd John i’r postyn pellaf at Griffiths ac fe wnaeth yr amddiffynnwr canol daro’r bêl i gefn y rhwyd.

Deffrodd y gêm i fywyd ar ôl hynny. Aeth Leon Croucher yn agos o bellter ac fe gafodd Jenkins gyfle disglair i ddyblu’r mantais ond fe wnaeth Stanton yn nhgoal y tîm cartref arbed yn wych gyda’i draed.

Ond roedd Jenkins am ennill ei frwydr bersonol gyda Stanton wrth iddo sgorio ail gôl y gêm ddeg munud ar ôl y gyntaf. Fe wnaeth o ddarganfod gwagle yn y cwrt ac ar ôl troi’n dwt, fe saethodd y bêl adref at y postyn agosaf.

Dechreuodd Rhydaman chwarae gyda mwy o hyder nawr ac roedden nhw’n rheoli’r mantais. Aethon nhw’n agos at drydedd ond fe wnaeth Stanton arbed yn wych gan Jenkins eto.

Er i’r tîm cartref ymdrechu’n galed, dim ond dau gyfle gan Tom Davies a Dan Mason y gallent eu creu wrth i Rhydaman sicrhau llechen lân gyntaf y tymor ac, yn ogystal â hynny, buddugoliaeth gyntaf y tymor.