Llantwit launch a Major attempt to take the title

LLANTWIT Major are breathing down the neck of Nathaniel Cars Third Division leaders STM Sports after gaining a 2-1 victory over the St Mellons club last Saturday.

Top scorer for Llantwit Major, Rob Jones, and 16-year-old Sam Snaith were on target to put them just six points behind STM with a healthy six games in hand.

Llantwit are having a tremendous season and are currently higher than they’ve ever been in the Welsh football system.

Karl Lewis is in charge and must be one of the youngest managers in football.

Lewis is a 26-year-old schoolteacher from Bridgend, who played as a youngster but decided coaching and managing were his favourite option.

For two seasons he worked at Penybont under the guidance of Francis Ford before getting the Llantwit job last season.

Lewis took a few Penybont players, who weren’t getting regular first-team action and has built a side that also had a good run in this year’s Welsh Cup eventually going out 2-0 to Welsh Premier Cefn Druids.

“We have a decent squad and our aim is to win the league if not definitely get promoted,” said Lewis.

“Like a lot of decent teams, our strength is most probably our defence which has only let in 12 goals in 16 games.

“Jack Lansdowne in goal and our skipper Rhys Llewelyn have been outstanding and lead by example.

“Our cup success means we have the longest run in which could mean three games a week, but we just have to deal with it, and I believe in my players’ ability.”

Llantwit are away tomorrow afternoon against Penrhiwceiber Rangers and the young manager and schoolteacher will be hoping his team can dish out a footballing lesson to the home team and secure another three points.

Leaders STM have a tough away fixture and travel to the Willows ground in Tremorfa to play Craig Dale’s Bridgend Street.

Ely Rangers are away at Treowen Stars, while Trethomas Bluebirds entertain Caerau in a top-six clash.

In Division Two, Dinas Powys are away at second-placed Briton Ferry Llansawel, while Porth are at Cwmamman United.

Third in the table Pontypridd Town host Abergavenny.

Gavin Chesterfield’s Barry Town completed a nine-point haul in seven days last Saturday when they secured a comfortable 2-0 away win at Taffs Well.

After an opening half-hour of probing by both teams the league leaders went ahead through a penalty coolly slotted away by Louis Gerrard.

The Wellmen’s goalkeeper Wyn Walters, who was the busier of the two, received a yellow card in disputing the penalty’s award and kept his team in the game only five minutes later with a great save from Barry midfielder Callum Sainty, who looked certain to score.

The second half was keenly contested, but Barry’s mean back four rarely looked in trouble before Chesterfield brought on regular first-teamers Jordan Cotterill and Drew Fahiya and it was a quick-thinking Cotterill, who found James Dixon in space in the box with a free-kick and the ace marksman finished with a deft lob to secure another precious three points.

The Jenner Park team are home tomorrow and they host Nana Baah’s Caerau Ely.

With a six-point advantage at the top, Chestefield’s men must now be warm favourites for the title, but he will take nothing for granted with Caerau who are a match for any team in the league if they find their form.

It’s second against third in Gwent as Goytre entertain Havefordwest County. The West Walians returned to winning ways last weekend after their 2-0 defeat at Barry in midweek.

One goal was enough to keep them on the fringe but the Bluebirds and Goytre both know another defeat to either of them could see Barry’s lead extended too far for their own title aspirations.

Penybont’s 1-1 draw last weekend at Port Talbot most probably means Rhys Griffiths’ team will be playing for a place after a decent first season in charge for the ex-Welsh Premier League Golden Boot.

Cambrian and Clydach are the visitors to Penybont’s Bryntirion Ground tomorrow, with Craig Hughes’ visitors looking for points for mid-table security.

Port Talbot Town travel to Monmouth in a vital six-pointer at the wrong end of the table.

Paul Evans’ first season out of the Welsh Premier League with hasn’t been a comfortable ride and any sort of finish above the relegation zone will bring relief to their fans.

Lee Bridgeman’s Taffs Well travel to Undy Athletic and in-form Ton Pentre host Goytre United at Ynys Park.

Lee Phillips’ Bulldogs will look to make it a treble of victories after decent wins over Taffs Well and Caerau Ely.