PARKER POPS UP TO SEAL LATE VICTORY

LLANELLI TOWN ................. 1 CWMBRAN CELTIC ............. 0

LLANELLI Town made it two out of two in JD Cymru South with this victory over Cwmbran Celtic.

And while never quite emulating the performance of their opening league fixture against Afan Lido, Llanelli were again competent in going about their business.

But they left it late before finally clinching their win through an 84thminute Tim Parker header.

Celtic made it difficult for the hosts to settle into any meaningful rhythm, although they did offer a threat going forward with an early chance created by a Ryan Bevan corner which led to a hectic goalmouth scramble before the danger was cleared.

Keane Watts was crudely brought down by Joshua Rippon which earned the visiting player a yellow card, and from the subsequent Bevan free-kick, goalkeeper Lewis Watkins was forced into a full-length save to direct it away from goal.

Celtic were also looking menacing on the break and when Isaac Powell and Alex Bonthron combined, the latter unleashed a shot on target which forced Reds keeper Scott Coughlan into action to divert the ball clear with an outstretched leg.

Llanelli’s defence was looking impressively solid, with Sean Cronin and Jamie Baker dominant.

Lewis Iles was denied by a timely tackle by Baker, while the same player then forced Coughlan to safely grasp a shot from distance.

A sweeping home attack involving a number of players culminated in Miles John seeing his effort deflect off a Celtic defender and narrowly off target, and when a Bevan set-piece was headed down into the path of Watts, he could only fire into the side-netting.

Neither side were able to achieve a first-half breakthrough, but the visitors began on the offensive after the restart with Baker halting Bonthron in his tracks with a solid challenge as he made a run along the left flank.

Then Jack Martin was afforded too much space to launch an attempt on the home goal which sailed just wide.

The home side made a couple of changes with Thomas Hillman and Adam Robbins replacing John and Dylan Williams, and they went close to scoring when another Bevan corner led to a melee in front of the net, but with nobody able to get the vital final connection to force the ball home.

Then came a golden chance for the Reds in the 77th minute when Watts was bundled over in the box and referee Tom Bevan pointed to the spot. But the penalty by captain Josef Hopkins lacked power and direction, and Watkins dived to his left to keep it out.

Almost immediately, the visitors were reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Kian Bodenham for a second caution.

And within minutes Llanelli finally took the lead when some good play by Eli Phipps, who had come on as a substitute, led to his chipped cross into the middle being met by Parker from close in to direct his header past Watkins.

With time running out, the Reds pressed forward in their efforts to put the contest beyond reach, and Watkins did well to deny Parker from close range before the final whistle signalled the close and another three points for the home side to continue what has been an encouraging early season.

Another difficult outing awaits them on Friday evening, with a large crowd expected for the visit of local rivals Ammanford (7.30pm).

LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan; John (Robbins 56), Parry, Cronin, Baker, Bevan (Phipps 70), Watts (Phillipstaylor 90+4), Gerrard, Parker (Howard 90+4), Hopkins (capt), D. Williams (Hillman 56). Subs not used: Pemberton, E. Williams (GK).

CWMBRAN CELTIC: Watkins; Bodenham, Connor, Larcombe (capt), Rippon, Prangley, Powell (Jones 70), Moss (Virgo 70), Bonthron, Iles, Martin (Powell 79)). Subs not used: Broom, Davies, Lewis (GK).

SCORER: Llanelli Town – Parker 84.

YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli Town – Bevan, Parker. Cwmbran Celtic – Rippon.

RED CARD: Cwmbran Celtic – Bodenham.

REFEREE: Tom Bevan. ATTENDANCE: 211.