Afan Lido snatched a dramatic Nathaniel MG Welsh League win against promotion-chasing Llanelli Town at Stebonheath Park.
The Reds had goalkeeper Scott Coughlan and Joe Clarke sent off, who Lido’s winner was an own goal scored two minutes from time.
Llanelli are second in the First Division, one point behind leaders Haverfordwest County on level games. Afan Lido are third, seven off the top.
The score was 0-0 when Swansea-Born teenager Coughlan, a former Cardiff City and Wales under-19 player, left his line to stop Lido’s Sacha Walters as he burst clear.
Coughlan’s challenge sent Walters sprawling and the keeper was dismissed on a straight red card after 29 minutes.
Defender Lee Bevan took over in goal and Lido tested him with corners and crosses, but he stayed solid and Llanelli went ahead after 66 minutes.
Llanelli took a free-kick from 30 yards and when Lido failed to clear the ball fell to Rob Thomas, who scored with a right foot shot.
Action from an Afan Lido match.Their lead only lasted two minutes before Mark Jones headed in from a Sean Hanbury cross.
Josh Webber replaced Walters after 73 minutes and his pace worried the Llanelli defence. When Clarke fouled Webber trying to stop a run he became the second home player sent off.
Lido sent on Shane Williams for Andre Griffiths after 86 minutes and two minutes later the substitute played a key role in their winning goal.
The ball was played wide to Williams on halfway and he went on a run down the touchline with three Llanelli players covering. He crossed low into the penalty area and Llanelli failed to deal with it.
Stand-in goalkeeper Bevan and substitute Chris Thomas were indecisive and the ball deflected off the defender and into Llanelli’s net.
The home team still found the energy and spirit to press forward and their nine players were able to win several free-kicks.
Afan Lido stood firm and the pace of Webber gave them an outlet to take the ball forward at speed.
Deep into added on time Lee Trundle almost netted an equaliser when he cut in from the right and fired in a left-foot shot.
Goalkeeper Steve Cann did extremely well to dive low to his left and push the ball away. Llanelli picked up the loose ball, but Lido defended solidly and cleared.
Afan Lido: Steve Cann, Cai Owens, Sean Hanbury, Carl Evans, Carlos Indjai, Josh Doyle, Elliot Thomas, Liam McCreesh, Mark Jones, Andre Griffiths (Shane Williams 86), Sacha Walters (Josh Walters 73). Subs not used: Taylor Evans, Kieran Parsons, Leigh de Vulgt.
Penybont travelled to Cambrian & Clydach and won 1-0.
David Allen returned in the back four, while Marcus Griffiths worked hard in his a lone attacking role.
Penybont’s midfield trio of Kieran Howard, Adam Carpenter and Cullen Kinsella combined well and the visitors scored their first half winner.
Tyler Roche crossed and Howard scored with a first time effort past goalkeeper Dan Bradley.
Cambrian pressed in the second half, but Penybont’s back four of Ioan Emmanuel, James Parry, David Allen and Kane Owen stayed strong and solid.
Cambrian’s best chance fell to Liam Reed and goalkeeper Rhys Wilson, Penybont’s captain, produced an excellent save.
The afternoon ended in disappointing style for Cambrian, who had a player sent off for a second bookable offence and lost 1-0.
STM Sports won 2-1 against Abergavenny Town with goals from Jack Kinnerly and Calum Bateman, while Risca United swept to a 6-1 home win against AFC Porth.
Risca’s goalscorers were Sam Palmer, Tom Berry, Matthew Thomas, Dan Battle and Callum Porter (2).
Welsh League results:
Division One: Cambrian and Clydach 0, Penybont 1; Llanelli Town 1, Afan Lido 2; Briton Ferry Llansawel v Ton Pentre, postponed; Cwmamman United v Port Talbot Town, postponed; Goytre FC v Goytre United, postponed; Monmouth Town v Caerau Ely, postponed; Taffs Well v Hverfordwest County, postponed; Undy Athletic v Cwmbran Celtic, postponed.
Division Two: Risca United 6, AFC Porth 1; STM Sports 2, Abergavenny Town 1; Aberbargoed Buds v Pontypridd Town, postponed; AFC Llwydcoed v Aberdare, postponed; Ammanford v Llantwit Major, postponed; Croesyceiliog v Garden Village, postponed; Dinas Powys v Pontardawe Town, postponed; West End v Caldicot Town, postponed.
Division Three: Newport City 2, Tredegar 2; Ely Rangers 1, Treharris Athletic Western 2; Caerau v Neuadd Wen, postponed; Panteg v Bridgend Street, postponed; Penrhiwceiber v Chepstow Town, postponed; Swansea University v Trefelin BGC, postponed; Treowen Stars v Ynysygerwn, postponed.
Welsh League fixtures:
Division One:
Friday, February 2: Haverfordwest County v Briton Ferry Llansawel, Port Talbot Town v Llanelli Town, Taffs Well v Goytre United, Ton Pentre v Cambrian and Clydach (all 7.30pm).
Saturday, February 3: Afan Lido v Goytre, Caerau v Penybont, Cwmbran Celtic v Cwmamman United, Monmouth Town v Undy Athletic (all 2pm).
Division Two:
Friday, February 2: Aberdare Town v Pontardawe (7.30pm).
Saturday, February 3: AFC Llwydcoed v Croesyceiliog, Porth v Ammanford, Caldicot Town v Dinas Powys, Garden Village v Abergavenny Town, Llantwit Major v West End, Pontypridd Town v Risca United, STM Sports v Aberbargoed Buds (all 2pm).
Division Three:
Wednesday, January 31: Caerau v Newport City (7.30pm).
Friday, February 2: Ynysygerwn v Swansea University (7.30pm).
Saturday, February 3: Bridgend Street v Caerau, Chepstow Town v Newport City, Ely Rangers v Treowen Stars, Neuadd Wen v Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Treharris Athletic Western v Tredegar Town, Trethomas Bluebirds v Pontyclun.
Welsh League One 2017-2018
| POS | NAME | P | W | D | L | F | A | PTS | |
| 1 | Haverfordwest County | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 43 | 14 | 42 | |
| 2 | Llanelli Town | 17 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 49 | 21 | 41 | |
| 3 | Afan Lido | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 43 | 30 | 35 | |
| 4 | Penybont | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 26 | 34 | |
| 5 | Goytre United | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 28 | 32 | |
| 6 | Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC | 19 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 41 | 29 | 31 | |
| 7 | Goytre | 15 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 40 | 29 | 31 | |
| 8 | Pot Talbot Town | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 46 | 37 | 26 | |
| 9 | Taffs Well | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 27 | 24 | 23 | |
| 10 | Undy Athletic | 19 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 36 | 47 | 21 | |
| 11 | Cwmbran Celtic | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 19 | 18 | |
| 12 | Briton Ferry Llansawel | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 38 | 16 | |
| 13 | Monmouth Town | 19 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 25 | 50 | 11 | |
| 14 | Cwmamman United | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 29 | 6 | |
| 15 | Caerau (ELY) | 14 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 48 | 4 | |
| 16 | Ton Pentre | 17 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 50 | 4 |
