Llanelli Town 2-1 Llandudno: Loveridge nets brace as Reds secure vital win over Seasiders
Llanelli Town moved four points clear of bottom side Llandudno after a brace from James Loveridge sealed a vital win for the Reds.
Llandudno had initially taken the lead through George Harry, but two goals from ex-Swan James Loveridge, all in the first half gave the home side the victory.
Swansea City legend Leon Britton made his first appearance after his shock move to Steboneath Park earlier this week, Lee Bevan and Scott Coughlan also made their first start for the club in the top flight.
Llandudno handed debuts to Les Davies, Ryan Wade and Zebb Edwards.
George Harry rattled the crossbar early on with a header to provide Llanelli with an early warning after a well-delivered corner from Toby Jones.
Harry got on the scoresheet just minutes after his header. The Llandudno forward chested it down and took it on the half-volley, smacking it past Coughlan.
Llandudno continued to put the pressure on and Steve Thomas forced Coughlan into a shot from his cross-cum-shot.
Harry then doubled his tally as he beat the offside trap, forcing Coughlan to save.
On the half-hour mark, Llanelli was level. Loveridge was found at the near post and he snuck his effort past Shaun Pearson who got a touch to even the scoreline.
Just minutes after Loveridge’s goal, he almost got his second. He was found just outside the box and his effort whistled past the post.
The former Swans winger put his side in front after his near miss. As the Llandudno defenders waited for the offside flag, Loveridge knocked it past Pearson to change the complexion of the game.
He almost had his hat-trick, but for a deflection on his shot towards Pearson. The Reds went in at half-time with the lead.
Telor Williams was introduced at the break, replacing Zyaac Edwards who had picked up a knock. He almost most made the perfect start as he flicked an effort in from Toby Jones’ cross.
Leon Britton nearly opened his account for the Reds, but his shot deflected into the palms of the Llandudno goalkeeper.
Williams had a second chance but was denied by a good save from Coughlan. In a matter of seconds, James Loveridge almost grabbed his third as it went just wide of goal.
Alun Webb almost levelled for Llandudno from a smart through-ball from Danny Hughes, but the Llandudno midfielder missed the target by inches.
Loveridge who was already an influential figure in the game was in search for his hat-trick. He hit a shot from a tight angle, but Pearson made a smart save.
Llandudno almost got back into the game when Alun Webb crossed it into captain Danny Hughes but he narrowly missed the target.
Shaun Pearson kept Llandudno in it with a superb save. Loveridge weaved his way into the box to find Davies who was just yards out, but Pearson magically saved.
Up the other end, Toby Jones crossed into Les Davies who put his header just wide. Llanelli managed to see out the pressure from the Seasiders, holding on for a vital victory.
Llanelli Town
Coughlan, Alfie, March, Tancock, Bevan, Clark (C), Britton, Finselbach (R.Jones 77), Davies, C.Jones, Loveridge.
Llandudno
Pearson, Ze Edwards, Hughes, Wade (A.Hughes 85), Harry, Thomas, Webb, Davies, Connolly, Zy Edwards (Williams 45), T.Jones
(Featured Image: Full Contact Photo)