STM Sports made their biggest statement of the season in regards to their promotion charge as they beat promotion rivals Swansea University.
The hosts had much of the ball and the chances throughout the ninety but had to wait towards to the end to put the game beyond a reasonable doubt.
A brace from Marcus Jones and a late goal from top goalscorer Ben Ahmun gave Dale Gardiner’s men all three points as they finished the year with a victory at Llanrumney University Fields.
The win moves STM into the final promotion spot, displacing opponents Swansea University who drop down to fourth in the table. They trail league leaders Croesyceiliog by eight points but have four games in hand over the early pacesetters.
Straight from the kick-off, Swansea University tested the hosts early on. Adam Orme forced Dimonekene into a save following a pass from Sheehan.
Josh Graham almost scored for STM Sports after a pass from Marcus Jones, but his effort was blazed over the bar.
Swansea University goalkeeper Luke Wallace was forced into his first save as STM right-back Hermon Yohanes tried to power one into the top right-hand corner from an acute angle.
Marcus Jones’ diving header was the closest to an opening goal after Graham crossed the ball into Jones.
Jones did open the scoring after a spell of STM pressure. The former Barry midfielder was found in space and rolled his effort into the corner of the goal.
Swansea University was forced into a first-half substitute as Elliot Jones came off the pitch with a head injury.
In the last action of the half, Nick Hyden went down in the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Substitute Jordan Hughes came on for Marley Bishop-Wisdom and his flicked header was Swansea’s attempted route back into the game.
Joe Evans showed some tidy feet for STM and his effort deflected just past the post. They then had a penalty turned down as Yohanes went down.
Front-man Ben Ahmun had a chance as the home side looked smart on the counter-attack, but Daniel Barnard did enough to obstruct Amun’s shot.
Substitute Lamin Conteh almost made an impact after replacing Chris Worsley, but his effort was blazed over the bar.
In the final quarter of the game, substitute Saif Abou Arram almost drew Swansea Uni level but his effort was well saved by the STM keeper.
Swansea were made to pay for not taking their chances. The defence were caught in a position and there was Marcus Jones to double his and STM’s tally as he drilled the ball into the corner for a two-goal cushion.
As STM went two goals to the good, Swansea Uni almost clawed one back. Nick Hyden unselfishly passed to Ian Wilson but Dimonekene made a save to preserve his clean sheet.
In stoppage time, STM used their pace on the counter-attack to grab a third. Lamin Conteh who looked tricky to deal with on the attack laid it across to Ahmun who struck a low shot off the post to put the game beyond doubt.
Ian Wilson’s header was the last action of the game as STM kept a clean sheet and recorded a big statement, beating a promotion rival.
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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