REDS SUFFER HOME REVERSE
LLANELLI Town’s inconsistency emerged again as they crashed to a home defeat at the hands of Trefelin BGC.
Despite a full-strength side taking the field, they were comprehensively outplayed by their Port Talbot opponents, particularly in the first half, and they found themselves three goals down at the break.
Although there was a marginal improvement in the second period, they still emerged from the encounter as second best.
Trefelin arrived at Stebonheath with a number of ex-reds in their ranks, including manager Andrew Mumford. Zac Brown, Joe Clarke and Jordan Davies were in the starting line-up and Ross Jones was on the bench.
Trefelin were on top from the outset, with the hosts hard pressed to contain them.
It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes. It came following a corner swung into the goalmouth which was not dealt with by goalkeeper Scott Coughlan, allowing Clarke to bundle the ball into the roof of the net.
Five minutes later the advantage was doubled as another set-piece found Joseph Jones in the box who, completely unchallenged, powered his header past Coughlan, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb even at this early stage in proceedings.
Even finding themselves trailing did not seem to impact on the way the Reds were approaching the contest, with far too many passes going astray and a general lack of urgency to their play, resulting in little in the way of attacking options as visiting goalkeeper Keenan Bailey enjoyed a quiet match.
Trefelin continued to call the tune and the home goal survived some close calls, before a rare foray into the visitors’ half ended with Thomas Hillman firing just over after Sean Cronin set up the chance.
Brown was causing problems whenever the visitors were awarded free-kicks, twice going close to finding the target before he eventually did so on the stroke of half-time. He was the recipient of a move which began in midfield when Llanelli coughed up possession and it was finished off by him to virtually put the contest to bed.
With nothing to lose, the hosts made four changes prior to the start of the second half with Ryan Bevan, James Parry, Keane Watts and Louis Gerrard replacing Eli Phipps, Taylor Marsh, Dylan Williams and Kyran Steadman respectively.
And they did show more positivity during this period, having more of the ball and at least getting stuck into their opponents, although again not seriously testing Bailey.
Cronin directed his header over the top from a reasonable position from a Watts delivery, and on the hour the Reds did eventually pull one back through Adam Robbins, who finished off a fine move.
This was about the only chance which presented itself as the final half hour belonged to Trefelin, who might have extended the lead when Roan Piper found himself free on goal with only Coughlan to beat but dragged his finish badly wide.
They were more successful on 82 minutes when a clumsy tackle by Jamie Baker in the box on Damon Thomas led to the award of a penalty, and the spot-kick was easily converted by Steve Berry to complete a miserable overall experience for the home side.
The Reds are due to travel to league newcomers Ynyshir Albions on Saturday (2pm).
LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan; John (Logan,75), Robbins, Cronin, Baker, Marsh (Parry 46), Steadman (Gerrard 46), D Williams (Watts 46), Phipps (Bevan 46), Hopkins (capt), Hillman. Subs not used: Rumbelow, E Williams (GK).
TREFELIN BGC: Bailey; Hall, Brown (C. Jones 71), Clarke (Tomlinson 76), Beynon, J Jones, Berry, Davies, Williams (capt), Piper (Jones-thomas 71), Thomas (R Jones 86). Sub not used: Rogers.
SCORERS: Llanelli – Robbins, 60; Trefelin – Clarke 14, J Jones 19, Brown 45, Berry (pen) 82.
YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli – Cronin; Trefelin – Thomas.
REFEREE: Richard Harrington. ATTENDANCE: 167.