PHIPPS HEADER SEALS POINTS
LLANELLI Town claimed a hardfought victory over Ynyshir Albions in JD Cymru South.
On their first ever visit to Stebonheath Park, Ynyshir proved to be the epitome of a typical Valleys side, never knowing when they are beaten and relentlessly harassing their opponents, and by so doing causing endless problems.
In contrast, Llanelli failed to replicate the high standards shown in their previous games against Ammanford and Briton Ferry Llansawel, both of which they should have won, and on this latest showing they must display more consistency if they are to make a positive impact on the league.
At the close they would have been the first to admit they got out of jail by clinching maximum points.
A taste of what was to come arrived as early as the second minute when Ynyshir – known as the Buns – mounted a swift attack through a searching ball by Jacob Cross which put Dre Griffiths clear for a run on the home goal, and it took the legs of keeper Scott Coughlan to divert away his finish.
When the hosts countered, Tim Parker found Thomas Hillman who made ground before unleashing a shot which was diverted for a corner by a diving header from Zac Philpott.
The same two home players combined once more, but this time Hillman was unable to get his shot away and eventually his attempted cross to find Parker drifted harmlessly out of play.
The visitors then created another opportunity when a quick free-kick by Jacob Matthews caught the Reds defence napping and found Joseph Eason in space in the box, but he dragged his finish wide when well placed.
With the Buns largely dictating matters, the hosts were looking vulnerable when their opponents pressed. Eason was afforded yet another chance when he gained possession but took too long to unleash a shot and was eventually crowded out.
Coughlan held on to an attempt by Cross, before against the run of play the Reds took the lead a minute from the break. It stemmed from a Ryan Bevan corner to the far post which was directed back into the goalmouth by Sean Cronin, and Eli Phipps rose to glance his header past keeper Luke Evans.
Somewhat fortunate to be ahead at the interval, the Reds continued to be pressurised by their opponents who continually harried them into errors with misplaced passes and some unsure defending.
And when Leon Anstee chased down a long clearance and won the ensuing tackle, he drove his finish across the face of the home goal and just past the far post.
Llanelli, in an attempt to seize the initiative, made a number of changes on the hour mark with Miles John, Louis Gerrard and Phipps withdrawn to be replaced by Adam Robbins, Josef Hopkins and new signing Taylor Marsh.
However, even this shake-up failed to faze their opponents, who continued to offer up the most threats, and it took a fine save by Coughlan to turn a fierce volley from the edge of the box on to the crossbar following a Matthews free-kick.
The hosts were offering little in the way of potential goal threats, although Marsh did force Evans to turn a near-post attempt around for a corner. When this came across it was met by Cronin, who blazed his finish over the top.
With time running out, the Buns continued to push forward in their quest for at least a share of the spoils, and a shot on the turn by Deacon Greening was just wide of goal.
Somehow, Llanelli clung on to their slender lead but were relieved to hear the final whistle, and will certainly have to improve their future performances if they have any aspirations of finishing the season in an elevated position.
They take a break from league action on Saturday as they welcome Cambrian & Clydach Vale in the first round of the inaugural Tier 2 Cup, which involves sides in the JD Cymru
North and South divisions. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan; John (Robbins 60), Parry, Cronin, Baker, Bevan, Watts, Gerrard (capt, Hopkins 60), Parker, Hillman (D Williams 83), Phipps (Marsh 61). Subs not used: Phillips-taylor, Orford, E Williams (GK).
YNYSHIR ALBIONS: Evans; Rees, Philpott (Campbell 71), Thomas, Crutch, Matthews (capt), Morgan (Vaughan 79), Eason, Anstee, Cross (Greening 60), Griffiths. Subs not used: Humphreys, Howe.
SCORER: Llanelli – Phipps 44. YELLOW CARDS: Llanelli – Watts; Ynyshir – Crutch, Rees, Thomas.
REFEREE: Tom Bevan. ATTENDANCE: 212.