Tributes as pair depart
A WEAKENED Cwmamman United were given a 9-0 beating by Welsh League champions Penybont.
With Cwm still suffering a number of injuries and a wedding reducing the player pool even further, a young and inexperienced team took the field and soon found they were in for a torrid time as Penybont were determined to finish the season in style.
The pattern of the game was established early on, with Penybont dominating possession. A mistake in midfield allowed Penybont to open the scoring within six minutes and a penalty doubled the advantage. The visitors then scored from a corner to make it 3-0 at the break.
In the second half the Cwm youngsters started to tire and the goals kept coming. A flurry of goals in the last 10 minutes meant a sobering finale for the Blues, but it was nevertheless good experience for the youngsters involved.
Cwmamman finished sixth in division one and were still in the running for the runners-up spot as recently as last week, and if it had not been for an incredible spate of injuries in the last month of the season they could have expected an even higher position.
It was an emotional Grenig Park as the final whistle blew as Eirian Rees and his assistant manager Jeff Matthews stood down, having managed the club for the last time.
Players, committee members and supporters gathered in front of the main stand and shared a drink in a toast to these great servants of the club.
After returning last year to help the club avoid relegation, Cwmamman have finished in their highest ever league position.
Rees, who has managed the club in more than 700 games, said: “It is an emotional day for both of us.
“I cannot speak too highly of Jeff as we have been together through the rough and the smooth and have won a host of honours together.
“He has been a great player, coach and supporter of the club and we are both so pleased to have helped Cwm reach their highest ever position.
“This is a club that is growing bigger and better all the time and there are great plans.
“I wish Ryan Stephens the very best for next season and we will both be around cheering him and the boys on.”
Ammanford claimed their 10th victory of the season as they finished ninth following their 4-1 home win over Undy Athletic.
Gavin Jones scored twice for Ammanford, with Ricky Martin and an own goal also on the scoresheet.