Llanelli Town are celebrating their first win of the new Cymru South season after defeating Afan Lido 2-1 at the Marstons Stadium.
A clinical finish by crowd by forward Ricky Kerr looked to have set them on their way to a victory at Afan Lido but Cai Owens equalised in the last quarter of the match.
But James Loveridge’s penalty crowned a thoroughly professional performance in Port Talbot by Andy Legg’s men.
The Reds will be relieved to have won this evening after picking up a point from their opening two matches and were good value for their performance.
The first chance of the match fell to Jordan Davies but his attempt at goal was comfortable for Steffan Rogers.
There was a goal to shout about for Llanelli moments later though as Kerr found the net. A through ball down the right found the forward and in a one-on-one, he placed it under the keeper’s legs.
Not content with just one goal, the Reds wanted to take the game to Lido early. Tricky winger Gavin Jones found acres of space on his flank but his cross-hit shot was sent over the bar.
Jones and Kerr were enjoying an attacking spell and the two linked up with Jones finding the head of the striker with a beautiful ball but his header was wide of the target.
There was an enforced substitution for the away side to make as Ross Jones was forced off for Owain Taylor.
The Lido had their first meaningful chance as Cai Owen connected with a free-kick but he couldn’t direct his shot from going away from goal.
A last-ditch chance presented itself to Jay Thomas towards the end of the first half but Exauce Dimonekene saved well to deny them a route back into the game.
In what was a quiet first period, Llanelli were the better side but there weren’t as many chances for either.
Emerging for the second half, James Loveridge almost lit up the Lido Ground as he tried an audacious chip from 50-yards, going close.
Loveridge was finding his feet in the game and narrowly missed the target after cutting in from the left side.
More chances were coming for the visitors but captain Davies could only turn his header wide.
The slender lead they were resting on was gone though as with fifteen minutes remaining, Lido found themselves level. A corner kick to the back post found Owens who scored with a great header.
Since leveling proceedings, the home side grew in confidence and began to open up the Llanelli defence a bit more after being quiet for a majority of the match.
Their fight back into the match was dealt a blow though as Evan Price brought down Kyle Copp for a penalty. Up stepped Loveridge who sent the keeper the wrong way to cooly tuck home his spot-kick.
Lido searched for an equaliser but as Price tried to make amends, his header was tame and into the arms of Dimonekene.
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