As-it-happened: Llantwit Major 4-1 Pontardawe Town

Llantwit Major picked up an important three points coming from behind to beat Pontardawe in the JD Cymru South. Pontardawe had lead the game at half time but four second half goals turned the tide in favour of Llantwit Major.

Lewis Reed’s wonder strike, after 27 minutes sent the visitors into the half time break ahead but Llantwit took control in the second half. Ioan Emanuel levelled on 57 minutes and then gave his side the lead on 64 minutes. Joel Woodington extended the lead in the 71st minute, with Pontardawe’s Craig Davies kicking out at a Llantwit player after the goal and getting a red card. Owain Edwards added a fourth form the home side on 81 minutes.

The win moves Llantwit into 8th place in the JD Cymru South table while Pontardawe remain in 12th still just three points from the drop zone.

This was a committed match with both side not holding back in a competitive first half which saw several cards shown. Both sides struggled with staying onside early on but Llantwit crafted the games first chance. Joel Woodington was played into the box but he could only find the side netting.

Matthew Kimmins was also in on goal and found the net but the flag was up just before he shot.

Pontardawe used the counter attack well and sent away Rio Booth on goal. Booth couldn’t keep control of the ball it run into the hands of jack Lansdown.

Matthew Kimmins then found Woodington in space inside the box. The Llantwit striker firing at goal but Steven Reeve made a good save with his leg.

The visitors took the lead in the 27th minute with a wonder strike from Lewis Reed. Inside his own half Reed git the ball on the volley and it went over Lansdown and into the net.

Almost from the kick off Llantwit got the ball to Tyler Jackson who rattled the near post with a powerful shot.

Half Time: Llantwit Major 0-1 Pontardawe

Llantwit came out firing in the second half and with 30 seconds of the restart Matthew Kimmins forced another good save from Reeve.

The second half was almost all one way traffic with Llantwit desperate to get back in the game. Jackson had an effort saved and twice Pontardawe were forced into goal line clearances.

In the 57th Pontardawe’s resistance broke. From a corner Ioan Emanuel headed in from close range to level the game.

Cameron Gauci made a run down the right and tried to put the ball into the box. It defected to Jackson who set Emanuel up to stroke the ball into the bottom corner.

Joel Woodington made it three when Rhys Llewelyn put the ball into the box. The striker hit a low shot on the turn past Reeve. As Llantwit celebrated Craig Davies kicked out a someone and the ref showed him a straight red card.

Owain Edwards added the fourth in the 81st minute poking Paolo Marenghi though ball past the keeper.

A vital and deserved win for the Major.

Llantwit Major: Jack Lansdown (G), Jamie Miller, Cameron Gauci (Ryan Harris 76), Nathan Evans, Rhys Llewelyn (C), Thomas Walbeoff (Luke Davidson 81), Matthew Kimmins (Paolo Marenghi 73), Ioan Emanuel, Joel Woodington (Owain Edwards 74), Rob Jones (Charlie Hanson-Taylor 82), Tyler Jackson.

Goals: Ioan Emanuel 57,64, Joel Woodington 71, Owain Edwards 81.

Yellow Cards: Jamie Miller 9, Paolo Marenghi 86.

Pontardawe: Steven Reeve (G), Ryan Kostromin, Iwan Batcup (Roman Legavec 81), James Dolman, Morgan Weaver, Craig Davies (C), Oliver O’Brien (Artiom Legavec 54), Tim Georgievsky, Lewis Reed (Kavan O’Leary 76), Rio Booth, Harri Lawson.

Goals: Lewis Reed 27.

Yellow Cards: Harri Lawson 11, Morgan Weaver 31, Rio Booth 42, James Dolman 42.

Red Cards: Craig Davies 72.

Featured Image: Perry Dobbins