REDS STRUGGLE AGAINST 9 MEN

FACING opponents reduced by red cards to nine men after 35 minutes, the Reds would realistically be expected to dominate proceedings for the next hour or so.

But they once again defied all expectations with another underwhelming display in JD Cymru South and in the end were grateful to settle for a point.

Something is seriously amiss with the side.

They had had a two-week break and should have been raring to get back into action, but the opposite proved to be the case, leading to an unacceptable standard of play.

There does not appear to be any cohesion between the players, with far too many hopeful long balls being hoisted to no great effect, and when chances are created, they seem incapable of hitting the proverbial barn door.

Even with their numerical disadvantage, the Wellmen coped easily with the home attacks, and to their credit they still played with two frontrunners, who caused plenty of problems for the Reds rearguard, and indeed were the better side throughout.

Following a reasonable start which saw James Loveridge denied by a last-ditch challenge, the home side were gradually pushed back, with an effort by Jamie Owen across the face of goal going narrowly wide.

Exauce Dimonekene then had to push clear a goal-bound attempt by David Lyon from point-blank range without a defender in sight.

With the Wellmen firmly in charge, it came as little surprise when they took the lead on 16 minutes through captain Marcus Jones from a pass by Lyons, and he steered his finish home with again little in the way of a challenge.

Surprisingly, the Reds were back in contention within two minutes when a Kyle Copp corner to the back post was headed home by Travis James.

Then a superb long-distance strike by Sam Parsons beat goalkeeper Tomos Bodger all ends up but rebounded to safety off the crossbar.

Callum Bateman should have done better when Parsons set him up but he ballooned his finish over the top.

The visitors responded, with Joseph Shephard denied by Dimonekene with another fine save, but the home defence was looking vulnerable from every foray by their opponents before events took a dramatic turn 10 minutes before the interval.

First, Taffs Well captain Jones was dismissed by referee Teifion Cook for an apparent attempted head butt on Robert Thomas, and when Lyon got involved in the ensuing fracas, he also saw red, and the vistors were seemingly facing an uphill battle.

Initially, the home side took advantage of the situation, but although seeing plenty of the ball their opponents’ goal was seldom seriously threatened.

An early second-half Reds chance saw Loveridge loft his finish over the goal, but the Wellmen still posed a threat, with Jan Maertins dragging his finish fractionally wide.

When the hosts countered, Bateman sliced another potential chance wide when he homed in on goal, while Callum Saunders also shot over when an effort by Loveridge rebounded into his path.

Bodger was called into a piece of rare action to deny Loveridge, with the loose ball being scrambled off the line, but even after a raft of changes by the Reds in a desperate effort to put the contest to bed, they still failed to break down a stubborn defence, with both Gavin Jones and the luckless Bateman failing to apply a decisive finish.

The Wellmen deserve much credit for their efforts in repelling their opponents, who were their own worst enemies.

The Reds are still unbeaten in the league on the road and put that record on the line on Saturday when they travel to meet Cwmbran Celtic. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

LLANELLI TOWN: Dimonekene, John, Thomas, Parsons, Loveridge, Bateman, Brown (Morgan 61), Copp (capt), Saunders (Jones 57), Gerrard (Logan 65), James. Subs not used: Williams, Davies (GK).

TAFFS WELL: Bodger, Maynard (Davidson 81), Ward, Garrett, Hillman, Shephard, Lyon, Fox, Maertins, Jones (capt), Owen (Pashen 73). Subs not used: Gidman, Cann, Webber.

SCORERS: Llanelli Town — James 18. Taffs Well — Jones 16.

YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli Town — Thomas, Brown, John, Loveridge, Gerrard. Taffs Well — Lyon, Shephard.

RED CARDS: Taffs Well — Jones, Lyon.

REFEREE: Teifion Cook. ATTENDANCE: 282.