Pritch sends Reds into Premier Cup Final

A solitary Mark Pritchard goal means that Llanelli have reached their first ever FAW Premier Cup Final, in what is likely to be the last match played in the eleven years of the competition. The Reds overcame Carmarthenshire neighbours, Carmarthen Town at an emotional Stebonheath Park on Tuesday evening, in the first game that the Reds have played since the sudden death of Llanelli legend Gilbert Lloyd.

For Llanelli boss Peter Nicholas, it means that he will relish the opportunity of facing his former club, Newport County in the Final for the £100,000 prize and prestigious Title.

The game had a number of chances and it was Llanelli skipper Lee Phillips that created the first of the night after ten minutes as he provided the perfect cross for Rhys Griffiths, whose header from the six-yard box produced a great reaction save from Neil Thomas to deny the prolific striker. Just moments later Phillips found space on the right again and his perfect delivery found the chest of Mark Jones, but Thomas pulled off an even better save, as he scooped it off the line.

On 21 minutes, the breakthrough came from an Andy Mumford free-kick and in a crowded penalty box, it was Mark Pritchard who rose above everyone to head home. The Reds continued the pressure in search of the second and Griffiths was again denied by Thomas, whilst the rebound from Mark Jones was blocked by Kris Thomas. Neil Thomas then continued his outstanding form, as he tipped over Stuart Jones' volley.

Carmarthen then got themselves back into the game as Tim Hicks and Jamal Easter both had chances. The best chance came about after Rhodri Jones bravely headed on a long ball into the path of Hicks and his volley beat Ryan Harrison but was denied by the post. Jamal Easter was then denied by Harrison on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Thomas was again in red-hot form as Wyn Thomas fired a volley on target but the man of the moment tipped over. Jamal Easter then showed a great tocuh to lay-off to Greg Coombes but his effort across the face of goal was parried away by Harrison. Easter was looking dangerous and he neatly flicked the ball into the path of Hicks, but a last-gasp challenge by Stuart Jones was timed to perfection in the box and Hicks was denied a shooting opportunity.

Paul Keddle had a long-range effort well saved by Harrison after good approach play from Paul Fowler, as the Old Gold continued in search of the equaliser, but it never came and the Reds go to their first ever Final.

Llanelli boss Peter Nicholas said following the game, "I'm very pleased, it's always nice to go to a cup final. I thought we played very well first half, the goalkeeper for Carmarthen, Neil Thomas was excellent. We came in half-time and were into the wind second-half and it was difficult but delighted we are at the final."

"That's the difference between the two sides...It's that final third where you need that extra bit of quality and we couldn't come up with that tonight" said losing boss Deryn Brace.

Llanelli: Ryan Harrison; Lee Phillips, Stuart Jones, Wyn Thomas, Andy Legg, Chris Holloway, Antonio Corbisiero, Andy Mumford (Craig Jones, 66), Mark Pritchard, Rhys Griffiths, Mark Jones (Nicky Holland, 90).
Subs Not Used: Ryan Lewis, Jordan Follows, Matthew Jones

Carmarthen Town: Neil Thomas, Richard Hughes, Kris Thomas, Neil Smothers, Paul Keddle; Nathan Cotterrall, Gregg Coombes (Sasha Walters, 60), Paul Fowler, Rhodri Jones, Jamal Easter, Tim Hicks (Danny Thomas, 75)
Subs Not Used: Deryn Brace, Liam Hancock, Nicky Palmer