Liam Thomas scored a hat-trick as Carmarthen Town added to Llanelli Town’s relegation woes with a convincing 3-0 win at Stebonheath.
Thomas put Llanelli to the sword to go joint-top of the league’s scoring charts on what was his 200th Welsh Premier League start.
Thomas increased his tally to 17 goals for the season as Llanelli contributed to their own downfall with some generous a defending – a theme which has been apparent all season.
With a deserved win under their belts Carmarthen manager Neil Smothers might just start to look upwards towards the seventh-place play-off spot.
For Llanelli, there was little evidence of the battle and guile that they so desperately need to dig their way out of the relegation zone.
Andy Hill’s pre-match game plan went out the window inside the opening two minutes, when Carmarthen’s Lewis Harling breached the off-side trap before unselfishly squaring the ball across for Liam Thomas to finish.
Play was often scrappy throughout but it was Carmarthen who were more able to retain possession of the ball going forward and was their positivity in the final third that proved decisive.
Thomas added his second of the night from the penalty spot, sending Scott Coughlan the wrong way after Luke Bowen had been tripped by Lee Bevan.
Chances for the hosts were few and far between for the hosts. Goalkeeper Lee Idzi’s spilt catch fell to a body of players inside the Carmarthen six-yard box but Lee Surman was able to hook the ball to safety.
And Jordan Davies fired a rebounded attempt back towards goal for the Reds but to no avail.
The second-half saw Llanelli look to play off stray passes and mistakes as opposed to anything generated by themselves.
Liam Thomas was gifted a third when Scott Tancock and Emile N’Goy consecutively failed to clear the ball from inside their goalmouth, allowing goal-hungry Thomas to pick up possession and complete his hat-trick.
With Carmarthen all but assured of the win, Llanelli could only attack with minimal effect and the Old Gold could’ve added a late fourth when Jordan Vickers smacked his effort against the post.
Andy Hill now has to prepare his team to face Llandudno next weekend – by the time that game comes around, his side could well be at the foot of the table.
