STM Sports moved to within two points of the promotion spots after a clinical display against Llwydcoed at Llanrumney University Fields.
Andy Gardiner, Ben Ahmun, player-manager Dale Gardiner, Josh Graham and Marcus Jones all scored in what was a clinical showing from Dale Gardiner’s men. Llwydcoed’s Jordan Ellis was shown a red card in the first half.
The Cardiff based side have beaten Llwydcoed for a second time this season. They beat them by the same margin of goals back in August at the Welfare Ground.
It sets up a nicely poised fixture against Swansea University next weekend at Llanrumney, with the two sides both prolific in front of goal, as well as posing a good defensive record.
Llwydcoed could have moved out of the bottom two with a victory but instead are two points behind Dinas Powys, with a game played more.
(Image: Mike James)
The game started with a bang as both teams had to be separated by referee Justin Fewings which resulted in Hermon Yohanes and Junming Dong both being shown yellow cards for an early coming together.
STM Sports nearly took the lead through signing Marcus Jones, but his chipped ball over Llwydcoed keeper Angelo Rovaretti hit the underside of the bar.
Josh Graham who had started the game brightly for the hosts had two opportunities to give his side the lead. A header went agonisingly wide of the target before a smart save from Rovaretti.
After all their dominance, STM did eventually take the lead. Marcus Jones was brought down in the area and Josh Graham opened the scoring from with his penalty sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
The penalty saw STM continue with their dominance and Ben Amun almost doubled the scoreline, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Jordan Ellis was shown a straight red card for dissent after he was unhappy with the referees’ decision to award a penalty to the hosts.
Ellis’ red card proved costly for Llwydcoed as the floodgates opened. Dale Gardiner’s men scored two goals in quick succession.
Having been denied by a goal-line clearance, Ben Ahmun doubled STM’s lead when he stroked the ball home for Gardiner’s men.
Player-manager Dale Gardiner then got in on the scoring act himself through a well-worked move. Goalscorer Ahmun crossed the ball into the box with Graham leaving it and there was Gardiner to lash home STM’s third as the home side went into the break with a healthy lead.
In the second half, Llwydcoed almost drew a consolation goal as they saw an effort hit the crossbar.
Not long after Llwydcoed’s chance, STM put the game beyond doubt. Herman Yohanes worked the ball down the right-hand side and found Marcus Jones who hit a shot first time into the top corner giving Rovaretti no chance. Jones’ goal means he now has five goals in three games since his move from Barry Town United.
With the game sewn up, Gardiner rang the changes. Firstly he replaced himself by bringing on brother Andy.
Then Ben Ahmun was replaced by the returning Curtis Scotto, whilst influential midfielder Chris Worsley made away for Hishi Lama.
The only dampener on STM’s day was that not long after, Curtis Scotto picked up a shoulder injury and limped off the pitch, meaning STM would finish the game with ten men.
Substitute Andy Gardiner got in on the scoring action as he scored STM’s fifth goal. After great team play, Gardiner was played clean through on goal with offside appeals saved away and he struck it home to make it a Gardiner double.
In a rare chance towards the end for Llwydcoed, they really should have drew a consolation goal. Nicky King rushed out of his goal and Junming Dong somehow saw his effort go wide of the post.
STM Sports AFC:
Nicky King, Hermon Yohanes, David Biggs, Michael Bull, Chrissy Hajgato, Dale Gardiner, (Andy Gardiner) Joey Evans (C), Marcus Jones, Josh Graham, Ben Ah-Mun, (Curtis Scotto) Chris Worsley (Hishi Lama)
AFC Llwydcoed
Angelo Roveretti, Connor Williams, Christopher Bristow, Gabriel Williams (C), Luke Davies, Robert Evans, Matthew Hunt, Jordan Ellis, Junming Dong, Michael Davies, Callum Henry
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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