PREMIER DIVISION

CANTON LIBERAL ....... 0 LLANGYNWYD RANGERS ...................... 3

LLANGYNWYD Rangers did their survival chances a power of good with a comfortable victory over Canton Liberal at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff, writes Tony Poole.

Having suffered a 6-1 defeat at Penydarren Boys Club last time out, the Llan Siro boys put their house in order in the capital.

Just a third league win of the season lifted them out of the relegation zone, and into a more acceptable 11th position.

There wasn’t much to choose between the sides during a cat and mouse opening on an excellent playing surface.

But as the game opened up so Llan began to boss the exchanges and a free kick midway through the half pointed the way ahead.

A conservative Phil Poole ball into the box caught the Liberal men out and Jack Thomas didn’t labour in giving Llan the lead.

With the ice having been broken, the Llan Siro boys froze Canton out with another quality goal.

And it almost goes without saying that their talisman Lloyd Ham once more cooked a tasty meal via a delicious volley from just inside the penalty area.

A sixth Ham strike of the season left Canton with it all to find, but it was Llan who continued to turn the screw.

They placed the game out of the Cardiff side’s reach when Morgan Thomas delivered a tantalising free kick.

And with the goalkeeper off his goal line, the ball entered the net just inside the far post.

It was 3-0 at the changeover and though Canton upped the ante on the resumption, they fired far too many blanks to trouble the Llan Siro boys.

Solid defending took the sting out of the Canton challenge, leading to Llan successfully winding down the clock.

With a sound win under their belts, Llan Rangers will look to build on this win when they resume Llan Siro duties on Saturday against Llantwit Fardre in the league. nother goal, and the sides changed ends with Pencoed still a goal up

But as the second home wore on so more was seen of Sully who became dedicated followers of fashion via route one tactics.

And just when it seemed as if the Felindre Road boys would see it out, a heartbreaking decision unfolded.

Dylan Powell displayed the bulldog spirit, but the club’s pitbull terrier was adjudged to have handled just a yard from the ball.

Joey Briscombe converted the ensuing penalty with a fifth draw of the season leaving Pencoed two above a drop zone occupied by Betws, Brecon Corries and Ton & Gelli Boys Club.

“It felt like a defeat, but Sully pressed late and ultimately a poor decision proved costly,” said Pencoed coach Wurly Lamont.

In Celtic Tyres Bridgend & District League Division One, Shaun Carpenter hammered home a goal brace as Pencoed beat Llan Rangers 4-0 at The Llan Siro.

Matt Bowen and Chris Day also scored with second-placed Pencoed now trailing Caerau All Whites by five points.