Ammanford secured their first derby victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over county rivals Llanelli Town at Stebonheath Park.
Lewis Reed’s stunning 34th-minute free kick proved decisive, but the result owed just as much to a resolute defensive display that ended the Reds’ 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Given their lofty league position and their dramatic Welsh Cup quarter final success last weekend, there was little surprise that Llanelli started strongly. The visitors had goalkeeper Luke Martin to thank for keeping the score level in the opening exchanges.
First, he pushed Joe Lloyd’s strike around the post before producing a superb acrobatic save to tip Ethan Cann’s effort over the crossbar. His third intervention came from a Sean Cronin header, which he held comfortably.
After weathering the early storm, Ammanford grew into the contest and enjoyed spells of possession. However, it was the Reds who continued to pose the greater attacking threat.
A pair of chances fell to Danny Williams, but the former Pontypridd and Haverfordwest marksman was unable to replicate his goal-scoring exploits from the Boxing Day reverse fixture. He directed a header straight at Martin before going closer still, rattling the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the six-yard box.
The game’s pivotal moment arrived just after the half-hour mark. A long ball was played over the heads of the Reds defence and with Reed running onto it, Louis Gerrard clipped the ankle of the attacker. Referee Teifion Cook was left in little doubt about the offence and produced a red card for the defender.
While there was some debate over the dismissal, there could be none about the quality of the ensuing free kick. Reed curled a sumptuous effort around the wall, kissing the post on its way into the net to hand Ammanford the lead against the run of play.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts continued to push forward. Cronin, making his 100th appearance for his side, was deployed as a makeshift striker and came closest early in the second half. He found himself unmarked at a corner but could only direct his header straight at Martin before being denied again by the Ammanford stopper.
The visitors remained a threat on the counter-attack, and Adam John went close to doubling their advantage, his angled drive narrowly clearing the bar.
As the match edged towards its conclusion, Lee John’s side threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. The Black and Whites’ defence, marshalled superbly by Babucar Sauane, stood firm, repelling wave after wave of Llanelli attacks.
Deep into stoppage time, Ammanford almost sealed victory on the break, but Reed was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Scott Coughlin.
With the one-goal advantage intact, Llanelli had one final chance with the last kick of the game. A corner was whipped into the penalty area, and even Coughlin ventured forward in desperation. However, Ammanford once again stood strong, clearing the danger to secure a precious three points.
