PREMIER DIVISION

AFC BUTETOWN .......... 4 LLANGYNWYD RANGERS ...................... 5

LLANGYNWYD Rangers again knocked five goals past AFC Butetown to record a high-scoring double, writes Tony Poole.

Back on November 5, fireworks led to a sparkler of a 5-2 triumph – and the blue-touch paper was also lit in the capital last weekend.

The goal rush this time was led by hungry former Penybont star Lloyd Ham, who got a tasty second hat-trick of the season.

Llan had the lead inside 10 minutes, Mike Reed diverted a Lewis Kingdon corner into the path of Dean Williams who nodded home in fine fashion.

The lead, however, didn’t last long and though it was 1-1 at the break, the Llynfi Valley side retook the lead on 55 minutes.

Morgan Thomas, who replaced injured brother Jack, clipped a post, but hungry Ham followed up to tuck away the loose ball. Better soon followed just like buses as Thomas punched a ticket to wriggle free and cross for a tasty Ham header to make it 3-1.

And a boiling Ham hattrick soon followed with the striker this time beating the offside trap to get a 12th goal of the season.

That seemingly signalled a Llan win but back came Bute to reduce arrears - and, incredibly, a hotly disputed penalty then made it 4-4 on 85 minutes.

But Llan shook off a terrible decision to win a penalty that Kingdon drove home to bring the three points back to the Llan Siro in early evening.

A seventh league win of the season moved them up to 10th place while beneath them it was moving day with wins for Ton & Gelli, Brecon Corries, Cardiff Corries and of course, Betws.

This means Llan are still only three points above the drop zone currently occupied by Betws, Llantwit Fardre and AFC Butetown.

This Saturday, Llan Rangers welcome sixthplaced Grange Albion to the Llan Siro in another league match.