REDS DISH OUT TOUGH LESSON
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY ..... 0 LLANELLI TOWN ................. 2
LLANELLI Town extended their unbeaten league and cup run to nine matches with this victory.
They are level at the top of JD Cymru South with Cambrian & Clydach Vale on 17 points, but the Rhondda side are ahead on goal difference.
Two well-taken strikes in either half by Keane Watts saw off the challenge of the students, who saw plenty of the ball without creating too much in the way of clear-cut chances in a scrappy encounter.
Both sides were lacking a cutting edge in the final third, although the visitors did create the better opportunities, with Luke Martin in the home goal dealing with an early Ryan Bevan cross.
A run by Thomas Hillman along the Swansea left culminated in a low delivery which was deflected for a corner, before Scott Coughlan was called into action to smother a nearpost attempt from Adam Morgan.
The Reds were having the better of the overall play, with efforts by Hillman and Miles John on target but blocked or dealt with by Martin.
But they eventually took the lead on 27 minutes courtesy of a sublime through ball by Josef Hopkins which put Watts clear, and he kept his nerve by drawing out Martin before slotting his finish into the bottom corner.
Another chance was created, with Tim Parker sending Hillman away on a run, but this time the finish was dragged wide of the near post.
The home defence was finding it difficult to contain their opponents, and it took a good defensive clearance to nullify another dangerous low delivery by Eli Phipps when he was set up by a John assist.
A rare home attack ended with Morgan directing his header over the bar when he met a cross by Tom Johnston, before it took a saving tackle from Warren Hudson on Parker to prevent the striker homing in on the target.
The best chance for the hosts came courtesy of some sloppy Reds defending when an under-hit back header meant for Coughlan was seized on by Tim Hicks, and it took a fine tackle on him in the box to relieve the danger.
This scare seemed to unnerve the visitors, who were let off the hook again following a corner which was partially cleared before being redirected into the goalmouth, where Parker was on hand to clear it off the line.
Having survived these two late efforts, Llanelli were quickly into their stride after the break, forcing Martin into early action on a couple of occasions before a Phipps header rebounded off the crossbar when he connected with a Watts cross.
The visitors then made two changes, with Bevan and Phipps replaced by Kyran Steadman and Louis Gerrard, but it was the home side who went close to levelling matters when Harry Huddart unleashed a superb strike which brought out an equally stunning save from Coughlan, who directed it over the top.
With the contest entering its final quarter, the Reds brought on Nathan Logan and Travis Marsh for Parker and Hillman. And within five minutes they struck again to seal matters.
Watts was again the recipient, taking full advantage when a defensive clearance rebounded off his back which allowed him to win a foot race for possession before directing his finish across Martin.
The visitors safely saw out the remainder of the match without too much trouble, and with confidence sky high in the squad they can now look forward to a home league encounter with Abergavenny Town at Stebonheath on Friday evening (7.30pm).
The draw for the second round of the JD Welsh Cup has handed Llanelli an away tie in Cardiff at Canton Liberal on Saturday, October 8.
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY: Martin, Morgan, Townsend, Roberts (Sellick 62), Hudson, Rosser (Speed 83), Moreton, Orme (capt), Hicks, Johnston (Morgan 83), Huddart. Subs not used: Edwards, Jones, Cashman, Spragg.
LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan, John, Robbins, Cronin, Baker, Bevan (Gerrard 59), Watts, Phipps (Steadman 59), Parker (Marsh 75), Hopkins (capt), Hillman (Logan 75). Subs not used: Parry, Rumbelow.
SCORERS: Llanelli Town – Watts 27, 80.
YELLOW CARDS: Swansea University– Johnston, Orme; Llanelli Town – Parker, Cronin.
REFEREE: Jordan Harman.