Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday, 23rd June 2009

at Parc-y-Scarlets training pitch, Llanelli.

Llanelli 1-0 The New Saints

Goalscorers

Llanelli

Chris Venables (37 minutes)

The New Saints

None

Attendance - 90

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With both sides aware of their UEFA Europa League opponents following the draw the previous day, the two sides fielded the majority of their European squad over the two halves of this pre-season friendly. The opening half started at a quick pace with The New Saints forcing the early pressure with a free-kick that was deflected over the bar for a corner before Craig Morris in the Llanelli goal was called upon to make an early save. Llanelli attempted to play their forward from the back with player-manager Andy Legg instrumental in a number of their balls forward with Antonio Corbisiero the busiest figure in midfield as Llanelli often found themselves overrun in the middle. Llanelli soon began to retain possession and cause the visitors problems but rarely troubled visiting goalkeeper Paul Harrison until they forced a series of corners midway through the half and eventually hit the bar on 25 minutes from a deflected header from a TNS defender. The New Saints soon began to work their way back into the game by employing their pace upfront against Lee Phillips and Lee Jarman in the Llanelli defence but the opening goal would arrive at the other end as Rhys Griffiths and Corbisiero combined to enable new signing Chris Venables to slot the ball past the keeper from close range on 37 minutes. A number of changes were made by both sides at the interval and the theme continued throughout the second half as both sides utilised the large number of players with a series of rolling substitutions, a notable figure for Llanelli in the second half being former Swansea City player Michael Howard at left back. The New Saints had the best chance of the second half when Ryan Marriott forced a good save from Ashley Morris in the Llanelli goal having replaced Craig Morris at the break. Llanelli held on for a comfortable victory as both sides plan for their respective Europa League campaigns.

24th June 2009 - Western Mail

Reds win in the heat

A 37th minute goal from new signing Chris Venables gave Llanelli a narrow victory against Principality Welsh Premier rivals The New Saints at sun-soaked Parc Y Scarlets. The match was arranged to give both clubs pre-Europe match practice ahead of their Europa League ties on July 2nd and new Reds’ manager Andy Legg will be very content with two wins in a week - Port Talbot Town having lost 3-0 at the same venue last Saturday. Rhys Griffiths began the winning move with a delightful cross to Antonio Corbisiero, who linked with Venables, who blasted a fine drive past Paul Harrison. Alex Darlington nearly gave TNS a 3rd minute lead, but his 20-yard shot was well saved by Craig Morris. Legg’s crosses caused constant anxiety in the visitors’ defence and from one pin-point effort, Griffiths headed narrowly wide. But it took a brilliant full-stretch parry from Llanelli substitute keeper Ashley Morris to deny Barry Hogan’s rasping 80th minute drive as the players noticeably tired in the heat.