FINLAY STRIKE GIVES REDS WIN

AN inspired substitution by the Llanelli Town management team of Lee John and Dylan Blain 12 minutes from time led to the Reds’ winning goal against Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Fraser Finlay had replaced Brandon Griffiths just two minutes earlier, and he hammered home an 80thminute goal to seal three JD Cymru South points for the visitors.

The result was no more than the Reds deserved, particularly after their second-half efforts.

They had been under the cosh for much of the opening 45 minutes, although goalkeeper Exauce Dimonekene was never seriously troubled despite the pressure.

But he more than earned his stripes after the restart with a string of outstanding saves, while the woodwork also played its part in keeping the hosts at bay.

The Reds almost took the lead in the opening minutes when an effort from long range by Sam Parsons seemed to deceive home keeper Conah McFenton, who allowed it to run past him and was then relieved to see the ball rebound off the base of the post.

The rest of the first half was dominated by the hosts, who retained possession for long periods.

Ferry threatened when a delivery by McCauley Power was headed partially clear but met by Jasper Payne, whose effort was well blocked by Daniel Barnard.

Daniel Alfei found Tyler Brock wide on the right, and his shot flashed across the face of the Reds goal but harmlessly over for a goal kick.

Alfei picked out Luke Bowen, who forced Dimonekene to divert his finish wide of the goal.

Barnard brought off a saving header to clear a searching cross by Joe Hunt, while Alfei headed a free-kick narrowly wide.

The Reds were finding it difficult to launch any meaningful attacks, although McFenton was forced off his line to head clear from Louis Gerrard when he pursued a clearance to the edge of the home box.

Despite their dominance Ferry had still not created any clear-cut opportunities, and after the restart they were dealt some of their own medicine as the visitors finally got to grips with the contest and looked far more menacing.

They finally started to string together some telling moves, with the excellent Thomas Hillman the instigator for much of the play, along with Ryan Bevan, and McFenton was called into meaningful action for the first time, doing well to save a fierce Hillman shot.

But the home side were still a threat going forward, and the Reds had Dimonekene to thank for a number of important saves, grasping a header on the line, before turning over another close-range attempt after an initial effort had struck the bar and bounced out.

And the Reds made the most of their good fortune. Academy member Fraser Finlay was introduced in place of Brandon Griffiths on 78 minutes, and within two minutes he was celebrating when he was found in space on the right by another superb ball by Hillman, and lined up his finish before beating McFenton comprehensively, much to the delight of the sizeable travelling support.

The Ferry keeper then did well to keep out a Hillman effort, before a late rally by an increasingly desperate home side led to a siege on the Reds goal, but somehow it survived.

Dimonekene rounded off a fine display by denying Bowen deep into stoppage time to ensure the visitors clung on to their slender lead.

Ammanford are the Reds’ opponents at the Rec this Saturday in Llanelli’s final game of the season, kickoff 2.30pm.

BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL: McFenton, Power, Evans, Hurley (capt), Alfei, Williams, Brock (Cadeau 84), Berry (Woods 74), Payne, Bowen, Hunt. Subs not used: Harris, McCreesh, Jones.

LLANELLI TOWN: Dimonekene, Williams, Thomas, Parsons, Hillman, Bevan (Newman 90+2), Saunders (Phillips-Taylor 90), Griffiths (Finlay 78), John, Gerrard (capt), Barnard. Subs not used: Hutchings (GK), Davies.

SCORER: Llanelli Town — Finlay 80. YELLOW CARDS: Briton Ferry Llansawel — Alfei. Llanelli Town — Bevan.

REFEREE: Teifion Cook.