Holders Llanelli Town March Into League Cup Last Eight

Holders Llanelli Town are through to the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup quarter-finals, writes Alan Evans.

Jordan Follows (2) and Robert Thomas scored the Llanelli goals in a 3-0 win against Afan Lido at the Marstons Stadium.

Welsh League First Division leaders Llanelli earned a trophy double last season, winning the Division Two title and the League Cup, have suffered only one defeat in 2017-18.

They won the cup tie at Lido only a fortnight after beating their hosts 4-0 at the same venue.

Llanelli were without Antonio Facciuto, Anthony Finselbach, Jordan Davies, Luke Morgan, James Loveridge and Luke Jones because of injuries, unavailability or suspension, although they did welcome back Follows, Richard Lewis and Sam Wade after lengthy absences.

An early attack by the Reds, started by a ball over the top by Chris Thomas, led to Joe Clarke making ground down the right, but his intended cross into the middle was cut out at the expense of a corner.

That resulted in the opening goal, when the delivery by Lee Trundle was met by a far post header from Thomas to beat goalkeeper Aaron Jones after 10 minutes.

A Follows header from a Trundle cross was cleared by the home defence who were under pressure. They  were called into action again when Lee Bevan headed down a Trundle corner to Thomas, but his finish was blocked on the line.

The visitors were well on top and dictating the play, stroking the ball around to good effect, and about the only threat on their goal came when a Shane Williams centre was partially cleared only as far as Craig Davies.

His shot forced Scott Coughlan in the Reds goal to push it away.

That seemed to lift the hosts and another delivery by Williams was headed over from close range by Cai Owen.

Despite their overall dominance, Llanelli were still only the one goal to the good at the break, but within 10 minutes of the restart trebled their advantage.

Chris Jones set up the first with a great run down the right flank before crossing for Follows to curl a delightful strike beyond the despairing dive of Jones on 54 minutes.

Within a minute Follows added his second when a one-two with Trundle allowed him to unleash a shot which hit the foot of a post and went in.

Trundle struck a late effort just off target and the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

Afan Lido: A Jones, Owen, Hanbury, Davies (capt), Indjai, Doyle (Evans 86), Thomas, McCreesh, M Jones, Walters, Williams (Webber 71). Subs not used: Fleming, DeVulgt.

Llanelli Town: Coughlan, Graves (Samuel 69), March, R. Thomas, C Thomas (Wade 76), Bevan, C Jones, R Jones, Clarke (capt), Trundle, Follows (Lewis 73). Sub not used: Morris (gk).

Referee: Teifion Cook (Clydach).

Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup ties to be played Saturday afternoon: West End v Aberbargoed Buds, Ton Pentre v Cwmbran Celtic, Pontypridd Town v Risca United, Chepstow Town v STM Sports, Briton Ferry Llansawel v Bridgend Street, Ammanford v Trefelin Boys and Girls Club, AFC LLwydcoed v Cwmamman United.

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