Llantwit Major AFC: Welcome

The U18s have won the SWFA Youth League West Division in style dropping just 3 points all season!

The team is pictured with Dave Price (back left) of Eurgent Ecspress of Bridgend who are the teams prime sponsor this season.  Thanks to Dave for his support this year!

Their record is:

P22  W21  D0  L1  GF122  GA26  GD+96  PTS63

Congratulations from all the Management Committee!

The U18s saw the season out in style with a 5-1 victory over Dinas Powys.  Llantwit went one up through James Thomas scoring his first of the season, which was quickly followed by Alejandro Sucre's first goal of the season.  Dinas then capiltalised on a mistake in the Llantwit defence and scored against the run of play.  Luke Dee with his first of the season made it 3-1 at half time.

With the temperature in the high 70s neither side had a huge amount of energy left for the second half.  Hoewever the Major again proved the fitter and scored a further 2 goals through James Thomas and a wonder goal from Jordan Mortimore. 

The Major celebrated winning the league in style with a   5-0 victory over Pontardawe Town.  Ponty lost their goalkeeper Dai Watkins midway through the first half with a knee injury & he was replaced by Christian Evans.  The home team pressed constantly and their efforts were rewarded when Luke James scored following a collision between players in the visitors penalty area.  The Major made it two before half time when top scorer Craig Davies found the back of the net.

Not content with their first half performance, Llantwit stepped up a gear in the second period and stretched Ponty in all departments.  Goals from Luke James, Chris Rees & Jordan Mortimore ensured the three points went to the league Champions.

After the match a minibus was supplied by Andy Cars, for the team to enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Plough & Harrow, Monknash.  Main sponsors Eurgent Freight ensured the celebrations continued into the evening.

Following their clean sheet against Barry on Wednesday evening, the youth team were again on form this Sunday beating Penarth Town 8-0.

Goals from Jordan Mortimore (3), Craig Davies (2), Jon Coles, Chris Rees & Pete Booth ensured the home team enjoyed all 3 points.

Llantwit were looking forward to the visit of Barry FC to the Windmill to make amends for the away defeat just 2 weeks earlier.  The Major started the livelier of the two sides and went in 3-0 up at the interval.  Barry could not break down a resolute Llantwit team who went on to score their fourth goal in the second half. 

The long awaited top of the table clash certainly lived up to expectations with an exciting game resulting in seven goals.  Llantwit went 6-0 up but allowed Grange to score a consolation goal late in the second half.

Scorers: Chris Rees (2), Arron Lazenby (2), Ashley Gifford, Luke James.

After a poor performance against Barry the youth team were back in form this week and beat Penarth 8 - 1.

Scorers for the Major were Luke James (3), Nathan Wilkinson (2), Jake Oaten, Chris Rees & Craig Davies.  

Llantwit U18s experienced their first defeat of the season when they travelled to Maslyn Park to play Barry FC.  Llantwit were somewhat disadvantaged as their goalkeeper could not make the game due to work commitments, this plus a couple of injuries allowed a busy Barry side to take the game 3-0.

The youth team travelled to Pontardawe grateful for a game after a long layoff.  They were met with a very heavy pitch which didn't suit either teams flowing football.

Llantwit started the brighter and went ahead after just 2 minutes with a fine header from Chris Rees.  This was followed 10 minutes later by a great solo effort from Luke James.  Ponty hit back and made the visitors pay for not clearing their lines and scored midway into the first half.  With less than 5 minutes remaining of the first half, Chris Rees was brought down in the area and got up to take a fantastic penalty low into the bottom corner.

Llantwit started the second half with the same hunger as the first and Luke James soon found the back of the net again.   This was followed by goals from Matthew Green and Craig Davies to make the final score 6 - 1.

The first X1 made travelled to Ynysddu on Saturday and came away with a well deserved win.  With the wind behind them in the first half Ynysddu went in 1-0 at the interval.  The Major made the most of the elements in the second period and piled the pressure on the home team.  The equaliser came via Colm Garret with a long range effort from wide on the left wing.  With just minutes remaining and both teams thinking a draw was on the cards, Stewart Lindsay stepped up to the mark and slammed home the winner. 

Final score Ynysddu 1 - 2 LMFC 1st XI 

The first team's efforts were rewarded on Saturday when Rhydyfelin were on the wrong end of a 5-1 thrashing.  The Major have been playing some excellent football over the past few weeks & this was certainly the case in this match.

Llantwit started much the brighter of the two teams and went ahead after a fine cross by Dave Bevan found Andy Shaw who had made a run from deep inside his own half & slammed the ball passed the visitors keeper.  This spurred the home team on and Danny Major made it two finding the net with a fine header from a Chris Rees free kick.  Striker Nathan Gahan made it 3-0 with an excellent strike from outside the area when with his back to goal he took the ball on his chest, turned and volleyed into the top corner.  Rhydyfelin struck back right on half time with a well taken free kick.

With the wind behind them, the Major started the second half with gusto.  The home team were awarded a free kick 30 yards out whch Vaughn Morgan duly despatched into the back of the net.  Stewart Lindsay, who has been out for some weeks with a broken arm, was then brought on for the injured Chris Rees.  It was a welcome return as he soon capitalised on a poor kick from the visitors keeper and slotted the ball home to put the game beyond Rhydyfelin.

Final score LMFC 1st X1 5 - 1 Rhydyfelin

Following last weeks excellent 3-0 win over local rivals St Athan, the reserves were also in home action on Saturday where Barry FC were the visitors.  Not to be outdone by the first team they also hit 5 goals against a strong Barry side.

 Scorers were Jack Landsdowne (3), Rob Kemp (pen) & Gareth Ferminger.

Final score LMFC 2nd XI 5 - 1 Barry FC

After a number of cancellations from Lido the game against the Major finally took place this Sunday.  Lido must have been wishing this match had also been postponed as the visitors went straight on the offensive forcing the home team to defend in numbers.  Llantwit took the lead after 20 minutes when a Lido player handled the ball in the penalty area.  Pete Booth placed the ball on the spot and slammed it into the back of the net.   Lido then put their foot on the gas and played some excellent flowing football but couldn't break down the visitors defence.

Again Lido's discipline let them down when following another corner a Major player was pushed over in the penalty area.  Pete Booth was again on call to convert the spot kick.  Half time 2-0 to Llantwit.

The home team realised that they had to play a more penetrating game in the second half and came at the visitors with gusto.  Llantwit however stayed firm and kept Lido to just a few long range chances which were easily dealt with by Paul Lucas in goal.

Llantwit kept pushing for the third goal and this came after some neat passing play found Luke James unmarked in the box only to have the goal disallowed for offside. With 15 minutes remaining, following yet another corner, striker Craig Davies scored the Major's third goal and put the game beyond Lido's reach.    

Final score LMFC U18s 3 - 0 Afan Lido U18s

The Major welcomed Ely Rangers to the Windmill this weekend and despite a well below par performance came away with all three points.

The home side went 1-0 up following some excellent work by striker Luke James whose final execution was spot on to put the team ahead.  Ely continued to battle away but couldn't beat the Llantwit defence.  Striker Craig Davies made it 2-0 with a superb long range effort that flew into the back of the net giving the keeper no chance.

Ely pushed & pushed for a goal and were eventually rewarded when Paul Lucas pulled off a magnificent reflex save only to see Ely's striker react quicker than Llantwit's defence and slam the ball in from close range.  Half time 2-1 to the Major.

Ely pressed stongly at the start of the second half and managed an equaliser following some sloppy Llantwit defending.  Then the home team nearly capitulated early in the second half when they found theselves down to 10 men following a sending off.  However this seemed to spur Llantwit on and Craig Davies went on to score Llantwit's third to secure all three points.  Praise must go to a strong Ely Rangers team who never gave up the cause.

Final score: LMFC U18s 3 - 2 Ely Rangers U18s  

After a six week layoff due to poor weather, the Major were back in league action on Sunday.  This weeks visitors to a windswept Windmill Lane were Porthcawl BGC.  Llantwit playing up the slope and against the wind, started much the sharper of the two teams and were 1-0 up with less than 2 minutes on the clock.  Luke James picked up the ball just inside the opponents half and ran at them jinxing one way then the other.  Having beaten half the team he cooly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. 

Porthcawl stuck to their task and equalised from a well taken corner helped in the main by the strong wind.  The Llantwit boys then stepped up a gear and went 2-1 up following some excellent passing play involving most of the team which resulted in Craig Davies stroking the ball into the back of the net.  Again Porthcawl got lucky from a corner and equalised just before half time.

The Major started the second half in fine form and Porthcawl just couldn't win possesion of the ball.  The home team soon went 3-2 up with a 30 metre wonder goal from full back Sam Mawhinney.  This frustrated the visitors and they soon found themselves down to 10 men following a shocking tackle on full back James Thomas.  Llantwit capitalised on this and went on to score their fourth goal courtesy of striker Craig Davies.

Again Porthcawl's discipline was called into question as every tackle seemed wreckless to say the least.  This resulted in a further 2 red cards for the visitors who ended the game with just 8 players.  This was a great shame as a few of the Porthcawl players played extremely well and within the spirit of the game. 

Final score LMFC 4 - 2 Porthcawl

The Major secured all three points in this local derby with their best win of the season so far, which sees them remain top of the league going into the Christmas break. The highlight of the game was a double hatrick from striker Craig Davies.

It took just 35 seconds to open the scoring with Chris Rees rifling his effort passed the Cowbridge keeper.  Just 30 seconds after the re-start max Morgan doubled the home teams lead with a fine solo effort.  Goals from Craig Davies (3), Luke James & a second from Chris Rees gave the away team a 7-0 half time lead.

The Major kept to the task in hand but struggled to beat a resolute Cowbridge keeper.  Their efforts finally paid off as goals from Craig Davies (3), Max Morgan, Chris Rees, Luke James & ex Cowbridge player Pete Booth ensured they left Cowbridge with all three points.

The Youth team continued their excellent league form with a resounding 7-0 victory over a spirited Cwmavon side.  With the score just 3-0 at half time the Major stepped up a gear in the second half and scored a further four goals and kept another clean sheet.

Scorers: Matt Green 3, Craig Davies, Max Morgan, Tim Dunne, Luke James

The Major entertained Bryntirion on a windswept, rainsoaked pitch which proved heavy going for both sides.  As Bryntirion's U19 team were without a fixture they took the opportunity to play a number of their Macwhirter players against a strong Llantwit team with a 100% record in the league.  Even with this added fire power the visitors found themselves 1-0 down following an excellent solo goal from Chris Rees who cut in from the right and drove the ball past the Bryntirion keeper.  Bryntirion's response was swift and they equalised through some good interlinking play with their forwards & midfield.

The second half saw the Major playing up the slope and this helped them as the ball held up for the two strikers.  This paid off when Luke James rounded the keeper and put the home team 2-1 ahead. 

Bryntirion kept the pressure on the Major and they leveled the score after Llantwit failed to clear their lines.  Llantwit brought on Tim Dunne & Alex Harrison & the fresh legs brought new vigour to the home team.  Luke James battled valiantly and got his just reward with 2 superb goals putting the game beyond reach.

The Major stay top of the league after a solid performance away to Kenfig Hill.  The final score of 6-1 flattered the home team who rarely troubled the Llantwit defence.

Scorers: Chris Rees 3, Matthew Green 2, Sam Mawhinney.

Llantwit fought a valiant battle against an indisciplined Grange Albion side who ended up victors despite the Major proving the better of the two sides over 90 minutes.

Grange went one up after some good work on their left flank, & when Llantwit failed to clear their grounds the ball was in the back of the net.  Llantwit battled hard and their efforts were rewarded when Craig Davies broke free follwing a superb through ball, and cooley slotted the ball past the advancing keeper.  The Albion then took a quick corner and found the Llantwit defence asleep again finding the back of the net.

Llantwit started the second half the brighter of the two sides with play down both flanks causing the opposition trouble.  Full back James Thomas was upended when he sailed past a number of Grange players on the left wing.  As the referee gave yet another free kick, a Grange player took it upon himself to  try and rip the Llantwit centre forwards shirt off, as the referee struggled to contain the situation, two players found themselves "walking".   The Albion managed to score a third against the run of play.  Despite this Llantwit piled on the pressure and hit the woodwork twice, and saw numerous efforts either well saved, or squandered.  Final score 1-3    

Llantwit continued their 100% start to the season on Sunday, by beating Porthcawl at their Locks Lane ground.

Llantwit started the brighter of the two teams and went ahead after just 2 minutes as Jon Coles converted Chris Rees's cross from the right.  Llantwit continued to take the game to Porthcawl and this was rewarded when Craig Davies cooly slotted the ball past the Porthcawl keeper.  Craig Davies continued to be a thorn in the home teams side and came close on several occasions.  Porthcawl struck back with a vengeance and scored to make it 2-1.  Just before half time Llantwit were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area.  Matthew Green drilled the ball into the box and Chris Rees got to it first and headed the ball into the back of the net for Llantwit's third goal.

A solitary goal from Porthcawl in the second half gave them some hope, but at the final whistle the score remained 3-2 to the Major.   

The Major hit top of the league Ely Rangers for Seven!

The Llantwit boys started much the brighter and had a perfectly good penalty claim turned down after 2 minutes by the ref who was un-sighted.  They stuck to their task and went ahead after 5 minutes with a well taken goal from Max Morgan.  Ely struck back and scored an equaliser due to poor communication in the Llantwit defence.  This spurred on the away side who stepped up a gear with goals from Craig Davies (3) and Matthew Green making it 5-1. 

It was then Ely's turn for a fight back in the second half as they piled the pressure on.  They pegged  Llantwit back to 5-4 before goals from Max Morgan & Alex Harrison made the game safe.

Final score: Ely Rangers U18s 4 - 7 LMFC U18s

The U18s are through to the last 8 of the SWFA Youth Cup after a bruising encounter away to Treforest. 

It was always going to be difficult to play football on such a poor pitch but nevertheless the Llantwit boys stuck to their task and were unlucky to go a goal down following a Treforest shot from inside the penalty area.  This rallied the away team and goals from Chris Rees (2) & Craig Davies gave them a 3-1 lead. Llantwit went to sleep after their third goal and a quick, long throw-in from Treforest resulted in their second goal.

Substitute Sean Maule made the game safe when he scored Llantwit's fourth goal 10 minutes from time.

Final score: Treforest FC U18s 2 - 4 LMFC U18s

The Major continued their excellent 100% start to the season with a resounding 6 - 1 win over Kenfig Hill.

Scorers for Llantwit were Matthew Green (3), Craig Davies (2) and Chris Rees.  Kenfig's consolation goal came courtesy of a Llantwit own goal 10 minutes from the end of the game.

Llantwit Major travelled to Bryntirion on Sunday aiming to keep up their 100% start to their season. Playing in the pouring rain, Llantwit took the lead through a long range effort from winger Matthew Green midway through the first half.

Llantwit doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half, when Green doubled his tally after being played through one on one with the Bryntirion 'keeper & slotting the ball low into the corner of the net.

The Major had the chance to extend their lead further when presented with a penalty kick, only to see it well saved by the Bryntirion 'keeper.

Bryntirion pulled a goal back after a mix up in the Llantwit defence, but never really looked like troubling Lucas in the Llantwit goal on any other occasion.

Final Score. Bryntirion 1-2 LMFC

Scorers: Matthew Green 2

Scorers: Jon Coles 2, Matthew Green 2, Tom Gingell 1, Chris Rees 1, Craig Davies 1

Another fine display from Llantwit saw them beat visitors Cowbridge Town 8 - 0. 

Goals from Chris Rees (4), Max Morgan (2), Craig Davies and Sam Mawhinney ensured the home side secured all 3 points.

The youth started their season with a fine 4 - 2 victory over Dinas Powys.  Llantwit looked much the stonger side in the first half and despite missing a bag full of chances went in just 2-0 up at half time thanks to two goals from new signing Craig Davies.

Llantwit started the brighter again and had a goal from Matt Green disallowed for offside.  Dinas managed to break through the home defence and pulled a goal back only to see Craig Davies complete his hat trick.  Luke James scored his first and Llantwit's fourth with Dinas scoring a late consolation goal.

Final score Llantwit 4 - 2 Dinas

Scorers: Chris Rees, Craig Davies (2), Sam Mawhinney

Match report to follow...

Llantwit Major U18s welcomed Port Talbot Town U19s from the Macwhirter  Welsh Youth League to the Windmill last Sunday for their first pre-season friendly.

The game started at a frenetic pace in the heat with both teams squandering early chances.  It was the Major that took the lead on 44 minutes when Jordan Mortimer converted a penalty after Max Morgan was brought down in the area.

After an hour of play Luke Fitzpatrick equalised for the visitors, only to see Llantwit awarded a second penalty just 15 minutes later.  Chris Rees was fouled in the area, and then got up, brushed himself down and duly slammed home the penalty.

Despite losing their keeper through injury, Port Talbot scored their second goal just 5 minutes from time with Nathan Hodgson earning them a draw.

Final score:

 Llantwit Major U18  2 - 2  Port Talbot Town U19