Llanelli Town missed the chance to go top of the JD Cymru South table at Christmas as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Cambrian United on Friday.
United made a fast start at Stebonheath and took the lead after just five minutes as Tom Hillman, who scored in this fixture for Llanelli last season, returned to haunt his former club by finding the net.
The Reds responded well though and almost found an immediate equaliser but Cambrian goalkeeper Tomos Bodger denied Danny Williams from point-blank range. However, Williams would eventually bring his side level five minutes before half-time with an impressive finish.
A second yellow card for Taylor Jones inside the first minute of the second half meant that Llanelli played 45 minutes with 10 men, but they defended well to earn a point. It was enough to see the Reds move up to second in the table, but it is Trethomas Bluebirds who sit top of the tree at Christmas.
Newport City won for the first time in seven matches as they triumphed 3-1 at home over Caerau Ely on Friday.
The visitors had beaten top-flight Bala Town in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend and were on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but Newport led 2-0 after just 17 minutes as Josh Graham and Louis Phillips both rounded Young Guns goalkeeper Exauce Dimonekene and slotted home.
Liam Bishop’s seventh league goal of the season halved the deficit for Caerau Ely just before half-time, but the Steelmen clinched victory in the 83rd minute thanks to a composed finish from captain Luke Cooper. Caerau Ely’s woes increased in the closing stages as Clayton Farrah was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.
Weekend results in full:
Llanelli Town 1-1 Cambrian United
Newport City 3-1 Caerau Ely
