Andy Hill’s plans for a mid-season revival are underway, but they were put on hold by stubborn Caernarfon Town this afternoon.
The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw at Stebonheath as both teams finished with 10-men.
Llanelli had the perfect opportunity to record a successive league win on home soil, but were unable to capitalise on their man advantage when Alex Ramsey’s picked up an instant dismissal with the game goalless and just over half an hour remaining.
Ramsey’s afternoon came to an abrupt end after he hauled down Jordan Follows, who had broken through Caernarfon’s high defensive line and knocked the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper.
And what should have been the turning point for Llanelli ended up being a springboard for the visitors, who were able to exploit the space after the game had finally opened up.
The woodwork had denied both sides of the lead in a first-half stalemate. Llanelli’s James Loveridge thumped the ball against the upright after Ramsey spilt a routine catch near the edge of his box. Midway through the opening period, Caernarfon’s Cai Owen’s flick-on header hit the underside of the crossbar before being scrambled away.
Nathan Craig, leading scorer for the Cofis this term, added to his tally with a swerving free-kick from 25 yards to put the 10-men Cofis in front.
That lead would last just six-minutes, until Kurtis March cut onto his right-foot to curl a shot in past substitute goalkeeper Sion Bradel from the edge of the area.
The feeling around Stebonheath was one of optimism before the game; Llanelli’s recent win over Cefn Druids last time out had ended a run of 10 defeats in 11 games and speaking before the game, manager Andy Hill spoke positively of the improvements he had seen from his newly promoted team on the pitch and on the training ground.
Llanelli appeared set to add to that new wave of optimism with another win when they were awarded an 84th minute penalty. Chris Jones duly converted sending Bould the wrong way, giving the Reds the advantage.
But Llanelli never looked comfortable defending that lead, still baring the scares from their horrid run of results, and Caernarfon produced a second goal with a numerical disadvantage when Jamie Breese turned in a low cross two minutes from time, leading to furious protests from the Llanelli defence, who felt the goal was offside.
Scott Tancock received his marching orders in the aftermath on a mixed afternoon for Andy Hill, who will be hoping his team can continue to add to their momentum by coming through their banana skin Welsh Cup third round tie against Llangefni next week.
Caernarfon meanwhile remain on the outside looking in, in their push for a top-half finish and Sean Eardley can have few complaints as to how his team managed themselves minus a player and away from home.
Llanelli Town 2 Kurtis March 79′ Chris Jones 84′(p)
Caernarfon Town 2 Nathan Craig 74′ Jamie Breese 88′
Llanelli Town
25. Oliver Davies, 5. Kurtis March, 15. Chris Thomas, 14. Daniel Alfie, 6. Scott Tancock, 23. Joe Clark, 8. Jordan Davies, 28. Michael George, 10. Jordan Follows (19. Jamie Owen 90′), 7. Chris Jones, 11. James Loveridge Subs: 24. Anthony Nelson, 22. Tristan Jenkins
Red Cards: Tancock 87′
Yellow Cards: None
Caernarfon Town
1. Alex Ramsey, 2. Joe Williams, 3. Nathan Craig, 5. Gareth Edwards, 6. Rhys Roberts, 7. Gareth Evans, 8. Jamie Crowther, 9. Jamie Breese, 14. Noah Edwards, 17. Ryan Williams, 20. Cai Jones (22. Nick Bould (gk) 59′) Subs not used: 11. Danny Brookwell, 18. Dion Owen, 19. Sion Bradley
Red Cards: Ramsey 57′
Yellow Cards: None
Attendance: 240 Referee: Tom Owen