HILLMAN IS A REDS AVENGER
A THOMAS Hillman goal in the 52nd minute proved sufficient for Llanelli to claim maximum points from their JD Cymru South visit to Ynys Park.
It was a game that never reached any great heights, due mainly to a gusting wind and a bone-hard playing surface making close control difficult, forcing both sides into adopting a long-ball approach.
The Reds were once again without a number of players through injury, although both Callum Saunders and Chris Thomas were named on the bench after missing the previous game.
Ex-Reds Joe Clarke and Jordan Davies were both in the Trefelin squad, and it was Clarke who was first to test Llanelli goalkeeper Exauce Dimonekene when he seized on a long clearance, but his shot was safely dealt with by Dimonekene.
Hillman did well to force his way down the left before getting to the edge of the box, but his final effort flew wide, while a corner to the hosts taken by Mason Jones-Thomas found Nigel Thomas, who directed his header narrowly wide.
Hillman drove a low free-kick not far off the mark, but with both sides struggling with the conditions, neither goalkeeper was seriously tested by a direct shot.
Hillman was proving to be influential whenever the visitors were in possession, and he was instrumental in setting up captain Louis Gerrard with a chance in the home box, but he elected to cross instead of shoot and the ball sailed harmlessly wide.
The Reds were looking the more likely to break the stalemate, but their vital final pass was lacking and a number of promising moves broke down as a result.
Ryan Bevan was the next visiting player to benefit when Dylan Williams, who had an excellent game, found him in space, but he took too long over his shot and was eventually crowded out.
Within seven minutes of the restart the Reds deservedly took the lead. Hillman was picked out on the left and took on John Hall, beating the defender and eventually unleashing a low finish that beat Trefelin goalkeeper Chris Curtis just inside his near post.
The hosts hit back, with Jordan Edwards firing over the top, before they introduced former Reds favourite Jordan Davies on 58 minutes when he replaced Thomas.
However, the visitors were still posing a threat when they had the ball, with Hillman again involved, but this time he shot wide of the goal.
The best chance for Trefelin fell to Edwards when he met a cross from the left, but he blasted his attempt well over the top.
With time running out, Sam Parsons saw his effort fly wide when the ball ran into his path following a freekick.
Another daunting away trip awaits Llanelli on Saturday when they travel to meet second-placed Pontypridd Town. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
TREFELIN BGC: Curtis, John Hall, Waters, Clarke, A Davies (Krauze 87), Jackson Hall, Walters (Monks-Landeg 78), Thomas (J Davies 58), Edwards (Piper 78), Williams (capt), JonesThomas. Sub not used: Jones.
LLANELLI TOWN: Dimonekene, Williams, Finlay, J Thomas, Parsons, Hillman, Phillips-Taylor, Bevan, Griffiths (Saunders 87), Gerrard (capt), Barnard. Subs not used: Hughes, C Thomas, Davies, Hutchings (GK).
SCORER: Llanelli Town — Hillman 52.
YELLOW CARDS: BGC Trefelin — Jones-Thomas. Llanelli Town — Dimonekene, Griffiths.