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Match reports
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LLANELLI V BANGOR CITY
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2011
MIKE SMITH'S MATCH PREVIEW
 After taking an early lead through Peter Hoy, a decisive double second half strike from Rhys Griffiths secured the points for Llanelli as Stebonheath this afternoon.
Just seven minutes had slipped by when Peter Hoy headed home at the back post from Chris Jones' well flighted corner kick. Minutes later Hoy turned provider with a raking crossfield ball which eluded Lloyd Grist but Chris Jones fired over.
Llanelli rallied as Rhys Griffiths headed wide after Craig Williams had spurned a decent opening after good work from Brecon lad Craig Moses. But City suffered an injury set back on 26 minutes when Mark Smyth was forced off and his place out of the left taken by Sion Edwards. Moments later Chris Roberts was the first name into Mr Petch's book. City continued to threaten though and it took a last ditch clearance from Lloyd Grist to deny Les Davies which had been only partly dealt with by home custodian Ashley Morris.
As the first half drew to a close Llanelli managed to bring Lee Idzi into the action as Jason Bowen threatened and moments later Craig Moses headed over from Griffiths cross. City had more cause for concern at the whistle as Craig Garside left the field clearly suffering from a facial injury. At the interval though Bangor still held that vital if slender lead.
HALF TIME 0-1
Before the restart a second blow for Bangor as Craig Garside was unable to continue with Dave Morley taking his place. The home side forced an early opening when Craig Williams crossed and Jason Bowen hit the target but not the back of the net as Lee Idzi saved at full stretch. Moments later Rhys Griffiths headed narrowly wide from Evans cross. Venables and Bowen went close to finding the elusive equaliser but City defended stoutly.
Bangor responded through susbtitute Sion Edwards whose powerful run down the left culminated in a cleanly struck drive which Morris was relieved to push onto the crossbar. Lee Idzi dived at the feet of Moses to repel another Reds attack but again Sion Edwards took the game to hosts with a run and shot which Morris again turned away for a corner. A third blues change saw Kyle Wilson come on for Alan Bull on sixty six minutes and on 71 minutes frustration got the better of the Stebo side with both Kris Thomas and Ashley Evans both having their names noted by Referee Petch.
However City held firm until fifteen minutes from time when Llanelli were awarded a penalty for handball after a direct run into the box from Craig Moses. Michael Johnston was yellow carded for the "offence" as he tried to block a goalbound shot. Up stepped leading goalscorer Rhys Griffiths to calmly convert the spot kick and level the scores.
On 82 mins a moment of farce as Jason Bowen was shown yellow and then red by Mr Petch before the Deganwy whistler realised it was the tiny midfielder's first misdemeanour. Lee Idzi saved well from Evans but there was just four minutes of the ninety remaining when a momentary lapse allowed a close range finish again from Rhys Griffiths to put the home side ahead with what proved to be the winning goal.
Thomas and Grififths went close again but it ended up 2-1 and a harsh lesson for City who led for much of the game yet came away with nothing.
16 October 2011
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