Llanelli-born James Loveridge struck a crucial blow for his home town club in Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh League.

The former Swansea City youth forward, who has also played for MK Dons, Newport County and Port Talbot, scored the only goal for Llanelli Town in their top of the table clash with Penybont FC.

Loveridge, 23, netted after 37 minutes of the Reds’ 1-0 win against First Division leaders Penybont, who are managed by former Llanelli goals ace Rhys Griffiths.

The win puts Llanelli one point behind Penybont with five games in hand.

In their previous fixture Llanelli went down 1-0 at home to Undy Athletic with Paul Clayton firing the only goal at Stebonheath Park. Their performance was described as ‘awful’ and ‘lethargic’ in club match reports.

Llanelli had earned only one point from their previous three fixtures, losing 2-1 at home to Afan Lido and drawing 2-2 against Monmouth Town before slipping up against Undy.

There is no question Llanelli’s performance improved against Penybont, but they are still not playing the flowing football of earlier this season.

A worry for the Reds will be injuries sustained by Kurtis March, Antonio Facciuto and captain Joe Clarke.

Chances were created at both ends in the opening stages with the legs of Craig Morris in the home goal denying Kosta Georgievsky when he found space inside the penalty area.

Llanelli went close when a long kick by Morris was flicked on by Jordan Davies into the path of Loveridge, who fired wide with only Penybont ‘keeper Rhys Wilson to beat

Both teams were guilty of wayward passing and conceding possession far too easily.

The breakthrough came when Robert Thomas found Trundle who played in Loveridge for a crisp finish into the bottom corner.

Just before the break Loveridge had another golden opportunity when put clean through, but again shot wide.

The visitors chased an equaliser and Cullen Kinsella headed wide from a Kane Owen corner, while Marcus Griffiths fired inches over when Owain Warlow laid on a chance.

Llanelli still have 10 league fixtures to play and have revitalised their title challenge thanks to the win against Penybont.

Llanelli Town: Morris, Graves, Facciuto (Samuel 64), R Thomas, C Thomas, Bevan, March (Jones 46), Davies, Clarke, capt (Follows 77), Trundle, Loveridge. Subs not used: L Jones, Morgan.

Penybont FC: Wilson (capt), T Georgievsky, Warlow (Carpenter 70), Havard (Borge 70), Emmanuel, Parry, Roach (Warner 83), Owen, Kinsella, Griffiths, Georgievsky. Subs not used: Davies, Symmons.

Referee: Kris Hames (Aberdare).

Attendance: 202.

Welsh League fixtures, Division One: Briton Ferry Llansawel v Monmouth Town, Cambrian and Clydach v Cwmbran Celtic, Goytre v Cwmamman United, Haverfordwest County v Goytre United, Llanelli Town v Caerau Ely, Penybont v Port Talbot, Taffs Well v Undy Athletic, Ton Pentre v Afan Lido.

WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION ONE TABLE

POS		NAME	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
1		Penybont	25	14	6	5	54	32	48
2		Llanelli Town	20	14	3	3	52	24	45
3		Afan Lido	22	14	2	6	52	33	44
4		Haverfordwest County	20	13	3	4	46	22	42
5		Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC	23	12	2	9	46	32	38
6		Goytre United	21	9	7	5	40	33	34
7		Goytre	18	10	1	7	41	39	31
8		Undy Athletic	22	9	3	10	46	49	30
9		Port Talbot Town	23	7	8	8	50	43	29
10		Briton Ferry Llansawel	19	8	4	7	40	42	28
11		Taffs Well	21	8	3	10	35	32	27
12		Cwmbran Celtic	16	6	4	6	28	28	22
13		Monmouth Town	22	4	3	15	30	58	15
14		Caerau (ELY)	18	3	2	13	23	52	11
15		Cwmamman United	17	2	4	11	20	41	10
16		Ton Pentre	21	1	5	15	18	61	8