WELSH FOOTBALL
CARMARTHEN Town live to fight another day in the JD Welsh Premier League after a 3-2 victory over Llandudno at Richmond Park.
However, with Aberystwyth Town winning 1-0 at already-relegated Prestatyn Town, the Old Gold remain five points from safety with just two matches to play.
That means they need to win at Aberystwyth next Friday and then also win at Barry Town United on the final weekend and hope Newtown do them a favour against Aberystwyth.
Anything less than three points against Llandudno would have sealed their fate but they got off to the perfect start through Luke Bowen’s first minute opener.
Aidan O’Kelly also scored for Carmarthen but those goals were cancelled out by Lee Thomas and Danny Shaw efforts for Llandudno.
However Liam Thomas put Carmarthen ahead for a third time from the penalty spot 69 minutes and they managed to hold on.
Aberystwyth, meanwhile will MERTHYR ran out comfortable winners against Kings Langley in their penultimate home game of the season and the scoreline hardly flattered them on the day.
The victory came largely due to two goals from striker Ryan Prosser but Merthyr will also recognise the contribution of 16 year old goalkeeper Ed Hewitson who saved a Kings Langley penalty on 34 minutes.
Ashley Evans had given Merthyr the best possible start, putting them ahead inside the opening minute. Despite Merthyr continuing to put Kings Langley under pressure it was the visitors who came close to an equaliser when Kieran Turner rattled the woodwork at the other end, with his 20 yard shot touched onto the crossbar by Hewitson.
When Evans and the visitors Mitchell Weiss wrestled each other to the ground at a corner Referee Phil Staynings pointed straight to the spot without many complaints from the home side. ensure safety and avoid a final day banana skin if they avoid defeat against Carmarthen.
They gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a win at Prestatyn, with Craig Hobson’s goal on four minutes the difference between the sides.
Barry Town will make sure of top spot in the Play-Off Conference – and with it a European play-off spot – with a point against Newtown at Jenner Park today.
In the Championship Conference, Ryan Brobbel scored twice for champions The New Saints in a 4-1 win at Bala Town.
Greg Draper and Kevin Kauber got the Saints’ other goals with Ian Sheridan replying for Bala.
Connah’s Quay Nomads are now in pole position to grab the automatic Europa League place after a 1-0 win over Bangor City to move three points clear in second place with two to play. Callum Morris got the goal. Cefn Druids beat Cardiff Metropolitan University 3-1 with goals from James Davies, Arek Piskorski and Alec Mudimu. Jordan Lam had earlier put Met in front.
But, Hewitson beat out Steve Ward’s penalty and just two minutes later Merthyr broke quickly with Ian Traylor feeding Prosser and the striker cut inside before drilling the ball past Bennett into the bottom corner.
Just before half time Prosser made it 3-0 following good play between Traylor and Harry Franklin.
Hewitson was in action to deny Gareth Price on 62 minutes, blocking his shot at point blank range.
The visitors did pull a goal back on 73 minutes, Weiss played in on the left and slipping the ball past Hewitson.
But, it was appropriate that Merthyr had the final word, Jarrad Wright heading in at the post from Corey Jenkins cross on 79 minutes and they almost grabbed a fifth when Wright rose again at the far post on 90 minutes, but headed Scott Tancock’s cross just over.