Results

Match Report

A goal in either half was enough to condemn Ammanford to a second away defeat in as many matches. Jordan Evans’ long-range effort, followed by George Peers’ penalty rebound, proved decisive as Town suffered defeat on their first trip to North Wales of the campaign. Despite arriving on the back of last week’s 2-2 draw against Colwyn Bay, the visitors spent large spells of the opening exchanges defending deep. Elliot Scotcher produced a crucial block to deny a certain goal, before Peers saw his effort saved by Martin, with the rebound going wide. There was little the Ammanford stopper could do just before the 20-minute mark, though, when Evans collected possession on the edge of the area and curled a left-footed effort into the top corner. The hosts continued to press after taking the lead, with Mason Blackwell-Jones going within inches of doubling their advantage before the interval, only to miss the far post narrowly. Airbus did find the net before the break, but the assistant referee’s flag ruled out what would have been a second goal. A tactical switch at the interval saw Wyn Thomas’ men move to a back four, and the change had the desired effect as they emerged much brighter. Although they had spent much of the opening 45 minutes repelling attacks, Ammanford could have drawn level within the first ten minutes of the second half. Callum Thomas’ cross was palmed into Matt Delaney’s path, and the Pembrokeshire man nearly made it three goals in as many games, only for his effort to cannon off the bar. A superb block then denied Adam John an equaliser. Despite the visitors’ improvement, Airbus remained a dangerous threat, and the deficit could have been greater had Martin not produced an excellent save to deny substitute James Hughes. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed with just under ten minutes remaining, when referee Alex Livesey pointed to the spot following a challenge inside the area. Peers’ penalty was brilliantly kept out by Martin, but the rebound fell kindly to the academy graduate, who tucked it away to give the Wingmakers an unassailable lead. Airbus almost added further gloss late on, with two more efforts finding the net, but both were chalked off by the assistant referee’s flag, leaving the final score at 2-0.

Match Report

Ammanford recovered from a 2-0 half time deficit to draw 2-2 with Colwyn Bay at the Recreation Ground. Having been behind at the interval, goals from Jonathan Evans and Matt Delaney ensured Wyn Thomas’ men earned their first point of the season. It was a historic night for the Carmarthenshire men as they played their first home game in the top flight in front of a crowd of 812; the highest at the Recreation Ground since a Welsh Cup tie against Caernarfon. The Seagulls enjoyed a stellar campaign last time out and demonstrated their quality within minutes of kick-off. Luke Martin had to be alert to deny Adam Davies, making a smart save with his feet to keep out the forward’s early effort. There was no stopping the marksman on 19 minutes, however, as he got in front of the Ammanford defence to nod home from close range. Bay doubled their advantage just five minutes later when Matty Hill’s effort from inside the area found the bottom corner. Charlie Davies returned from an injury lay-off to make his first Cymru Premier appearance, and his energy provided Town with an outlet and a source of inspiration. Despite the deficit, the Black and Whites continued to show plenty of endeavour and attacking intent. They came close through half-chances for Jonathan Evans and Elliot Scotcher before, just moments ahead of the interval, Town went agonisingly close to pulling one back. Adam John’s delicate through ball released Evans, but the former Aber man’s effort drifted narrowly wide of the post. The visitors began the second half on the front foot, spending much of the opening 10 minutes camped inside the home half. Despite enjoying the territorial and possession advantage, though, they were unable to seriously test Martin between the sticks. They were made to pay for their lack of a breakthrough when Ammanford halved the arrears. Town broke at pace and Evans kept his composure when played through one-on-one, slotting beyond the goalkeeper to give the hosts renewed hope. The momentum quickly shifted, and the game was almost level moments later. Davies delivered from the flank and Evans flicked the ball on, but there was nobody in Black and White arriving at the far post to turn it home. Ammanford eventually drew level when Evans was brought down inside the area. Following a lengthy VAR review, Matty Delaney stepped up and calmly sent Mark Halstead the wrong way from the spot. Six minutes of added time followed, with both sides throwing players forward in search of a decisive third goal. Neither could find the finishing touch, though, and the points were ultimately shared after an entertaining contest that saw Town fight back from two goals down to secure a valuable draw.

Match Report

Ammanford’s debut at the Cymru Premier level ended in defeat as they fell 2-1 to Briton Ferry Llansawel away from home. Despite taking an early lead through Matt Delaney, goals in either half from Ollie Anderson and Luke Bowen saw the Reds earn the opening three points on offer for the campaign. Delaney’s 93rd minute header had secured promotion for the Black and Whites a 104 days earlier and, within 13 minutes of the new campaign, the Pembrokeshire native was on target once again. A slick move down the right, involving Jonathan Evans and Adam Orme, ended with Evans delivering an inviting cross for Delaney to power a header home and put Ammanford in front. The last time Town visited the Renewables Centre Stadium, three years ago, the hosts sealed promotion of their own and have since established themselves as a mainstay in the top flight. After falling behind, the hosts responded positively and almost found an immediate equaliser, only for Chris Bell to produce an outstanding recovery challenge. Tom Walters then curled a free-kick over the crossbar, but it was Ammanford who came closest to extending their advantage. Debutant Evans was denied his first goal for the club as former team-mate Will Fuller stretched out a boot to keep his effort out. That miss proved costly, with Ferry levelling the scores just under ten minutes before the break. Walters flicked a long throw back across the six-yard box, where the lively Ollie Anderson was on hand to prod home from close range. The second half began cautiously, with clear-cut opportunities at a premium. Ferry remained well organised, defending their penalty area resolutely and limiting Ammanford’s attacking threat. Midway through the half, the Reds introduced two familiar faces: former Ammanford winger Tristan Jenkins and Luke Bowen, who returned to the club from Trefelin BGC. Bowen, a player who has tormented Ammanford on numerous occasions over the years, made an immediate impact. Just three minutes into his second debut, the veteran striker found the net. Ammanford failed to deal with a corner and Bowen, demonstrating his trademark predatory instinct, pounced to break the visitors’ hearts. Evans came close to restoring parity when he glanced Delaney’s cross into the arms of a grateful Fuller before, with only minutes remaining, Ferry were awarded a penalty. Following a VAR check, Bowen’s spot-kick was superbly saved by Luke Martin, who dived low to his right. Ammanford enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory during the closing stages, but Ferry defended stubbornly to see out the contest and claim their first three points of the new season.