NATHANIEL CARS WELSH LEAGUE

DIVISION THREE

LLANTWIT MAJOR ...... 1 ELY RANGERS .............. 1

LLANTWIT Major mustered a late equaliser against Ely Rangers at Windmill Lane to remain on the shirt-tails of fellow promoted club STM Sports, writes Tony Poole.

This midweek clash with the Station Road side launched the first of four games in the space of a hectic eight days for the Windmillers.

And there were signs present on the night that a punishing end of season schedule, involving an incredible 13 matches in the space of just five weeks – was being felt by Karl Lewis’s side.

This demanding period would test any team, but in fairness during the opening period, Llantwit Major played some good stuff and should have had the lead.

Instead Lee Jones spurned a good chance, heading wide when in position A, and fox in the box Luke Cox went equally close.

He got a foot on the end of a cross that was blocked for an unproductive corner.

Following a goal-less half, Lee Jones went through on goal only to be driven wide and Sammy Snaith fired his lay-off over the top.

But Ely grew in to the game and posed a significant aerial threat from set pieces.

And this was the case in the 50th minute when centre-half Andrew Muscat headed them in front.

The Windmillers forced a series of corners that came to nothing, and it wasn’t until the 84th minute that they got back on terms.

They won a free kick 30 metres from goal that Rob Jones drove into the box for the potent head of former Penybont star Shaun Barney-Williams to nod past a motionless goalkeeper.

During the closing stages the Windmillers had wind in their sails, but it failed to impact on the scoreline, and they had to settle for a one-point return on the night.