JD Cymru South leaders Llanelli Town maintained their five point lead at the top of the table as Ethan Cann scored the decisive goal to secure a 1-0 away win at Carmarthen Town.
The Reds were looking for a response after a 3-1 loss to Cwmbran Celtic in midweek and Cann provided the pivotal moment by slotting home in the 16th minute. Carmarthen hit the post late in the first half, but they could not find a way past the visitors’ defence.
Teenager Corey Hurford scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner as Briton Ferry Llansawel maintained pressure on the leaders with a 2-1 comeback win over Abertillery Bluebirds, whose survival task now looks harder than ever.
The Bluebirds went ahead through Iwan John’s magnificent strike from 20 yards in the 65th minute, but Ferry drew level ten minutes later as Joe Jones headed home from Jack Hurley’s corner.
Just when it seemed the Reds would drop points in the title race, up stepped 19-year-old Corey Hurford, who sent a superb 25-yard free-kick beyond Brandon Powell to rescue Andy Dyer’s side.
Third-place Ammanford’s title hopes suffered a blow as they were beaten 4-2 at home by Afan Lido on Friday night.
A frantic opening five minutes saw both sides find the back of the net as Ieuan Owen’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Adam John. Lido opened up a two-goal cushion on the hour mark as Sean Hanbury, playing his 100th game for the visitors, sent two composed finishes beyond Luke Martin.
Tristan Jenkins gave Ammanford a lifeline from the penalty spot, but Cai Owens ensured Lido went home with all three points as he converted a penalty of his own in stoppage. Ammanford are now eight points adrift of league leaders Llanelli with a game in hand.
A first half blitz from Taffs Well saw them move three points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory away at Goytre United.
Will Toms’ stunning strike got things rolling for the Wellmen in just the third minute, before Harri Edwards calmly converted his penalty to make it two after a quarter of an hour. Things got even better for the visitors in the 25th minute as Charlie Lewis’ curling corner was spilled over the line by Goytre goalkeeper Conah McFenton.
Ben Cripps got Goytre on the scoresheet to give his side a glimmer of hope with 20 minutes remaining, but a dominant first half from the Wellmen proved to be enough to claim an important victory on the road.
Baglan Dragons returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over already-relegated Abergavenny Town.
Jack Brunnock’s own goal put the Dragons ahead seven minutes before half-time and victory was eventually sealed when Jordan Evans bagged his fifth league goal of the season in the third minute of stoppage time.
Nothing could separate in-form sides Cambrian and Clydach Vale and Caerau Ely at the M&P Group 3G as they shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
The Cam Army came from behind to lead in the first half as goals from Ceri Morgan and Liam Eason cancelled out Liam Bishop’s eighth-minute opener.
However, substitutes Ollie Redhead and Brandon Griffiths combined midway through the second half to salvage a point for Caerau, who extended their unbeaten run to six matches..
Trefelin ended their five-match winless streak as Roan Piper’s penalty secured a 1-0 win away at Pontardawe Town.
Piper stepped up from twelve yards and slotted the ball beyond teenage goalkeeper Nathaniel Osborne for his 12th league goal of the season in just the sixth minute and Trefelin were able to hold onto their lead to clinch all three points.
Pontardawe are still one place above the relegation zone, but 14th-placed Llantwit Major are now level on points with Ponty following their 1-1 draw with Cwmbran Celtic.
Cian Williams put Major in front five minutes before the interval, but the home side suffered late heartbreak as Lewis Iles lifted the ball over Jack Lansdown in the 90th minute following a swift Celtic breakaway. Celtic are now unbeaten in four out of their last five matches.
JD Cymru South results
Ammanford 2-4 Afan Lido
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-1 Abertillery Bluebirds
Baglan Dragons 2-0 Abergavenny Town
Carmarthen Town 0-1 Llanelli Town
Llantwit Major 1-1 Cwmbran Celtic
Pontardawe Town 0-1 Trefelin
Cambrian & Clydach Vale 2-2 Caerau Ely
Goytre United 1-3 Taffs Well
