Llanelli’s cup interest ends early

FIELDING an inexperienced side in their first-round Nathaniel MG Cup tie at the Conygar Stadium last week, Llanelli Town’s participation in the competition was brought to an early conclusion as their opponents swept to a convincing win.

Tristan Jenkins, Lenny Evans, Anton Nelson and Cai Smith all made their first starts for the visitors.

But the hosts were just too powerful in almost all departments as they succeeded in restricting Llanelli to very few clear-cut chances.

In contrast, the Bluebirds posed a constant threat whenever they attacked.

And they forced visiting goalkeeper Oliver Davies into early action as he dealt with attempts by Fraser Finlay and Ben Fawcett.

James Loveridge did briefly threaten the home goal when he turned his marker and unleashed a shot.

But goalkeeper Steve Hall brought off a good block to deny him.

With the Bluebirds on top, the inevitable breakthrough came on 15 minutes.

Jack Wilson seized on a misplaced pass in his own half and set off on a surging run through the heart of the Reds defence before finishing in some style with a shot that went beyond Davies.

The lead was almost doubled when a strike from distance by Leon Luby rebounded off the underside of the bar with Davies beaten.

The same player then hit a delivery across the face of goal which just failed to pick out a home player.

And the pattern of play continued after the restart, with the Bluebirds largely dictating matters and the visitors hanging on as they struggled to find an equaliser.

The lead was extended in the 67th minute following a Finlay corner to the far post which was directed back into the middle for Fawcett to power his header into the net.

Wilson shot inches off target when he worked himself into a good position, before setting up Luby, who was also fractionally wide with his finish.

The Reds introduced summer signing Reasat Khaton for his debut with 12 minutes remaining.

But the move could not prevent their opponents stretching the advantage further after 85 minutes, with Martin Carroll playing in Finlay to fire home to seal an emphatic victory for the Bluebirds.