Despite the 1-0 scoreline it was a match which Llany completely dominated from first whistle to last, and only a combination of wayward finishing and bad luck stopped them winning by a much more comfortable margin.

Nathan Bartram made four changes from the side which slipped up against Llansantffraid Reserves last week as Dan Astley, Simon Botley, Mike Edwards and George Jones returned to the starting eleven. Astley was forced to start in goal after Matt Owen suffered a foot injury in last week's game. There were more positional changes throughout the team as Sam Roberts began at right back. Botley partnered Jamie Phillips in the centre of defence for the first time this season, which allowed Carl Rogers to move forward into a central midfield position alongside Lee Rogers and Jack Roberts. Josh Hayward was at left back, with Edwards in front of him, Grant Jones on the opposite flank and George Jones through the middle.

Llany started as they meant to go on as they looked a threat early on, with Lee Rogers firing the first of four first half efforts in on goal from long range. Jack Roberts blasted a drive against the stanchion behind the goal and Edwards chanced his arm with a couple of efforts after drifting into promising positions from the left wing. The visitors looked to have a certain goal when Grant and George Jones had chances to stab the ball goalwards from about six yards out, only to see the Colts' goalkeeper thwart their efforts.

The closest effort they had in the first half was an Edwards volley from in the box which glanced the crossbar on its way out for a goalkick. Jack Roberts had done some excellent work on the right wing to beat his man and deliver an inviting cross which Edwards met cleanly at the near post, but could only divert against the woodwork.

In the second half Hayward, Phillips and Carl Rogers all had attempts from well outside the area which came to nothing, while Jack Roberts was wayward after a bursting run into the penalty area. Sam Roberts had more luck from long range as his drive with the outside of his right foot forced a corner after a good save. It was one of a number of set plays for Llany which they were unable to capitalise on, the closest they came being a cushioned volley at the back post from Grant Jones which cannoned back off the crossbar.

Llany used their only substitution of the game as Rob Jones replaced his brother George and just as it was beginning to look as though Llany had run out of ideas, as shot after shot failed to cross the line, they found the breakthrough as Grant Jones ripped Colts apart on the counter attack. The home side had built up an attack down the left hand side, leading to them swinging the ball towards the back post. Botley rose highest and angled his clearing header out of the penalty area. Jones made his move towards the ball, but looked second favourite to get there first as Colts' right back looked to bring it under control. Jones used his pace and stretched a toe out to prod the bouncing ball over his opponent and set off with it once it was under his control. From then it was just a case of Jones doing what he has done countless times before in a Llanymynech shirt, carrying the ball from deep in his own half to the edge of their box, dropping a shoulder to beat the last man and then keeping his composure to beat the goalkeeper with the one-on-one to give his side the lead in the game.

Llany had been let off just before the goal when the Colt's striker got the better of Botley on the right side of the penalty area and entered the penalty area with just Astley to beat. Llany's stand in goalkeeper was more than up for the task though and got down low to his left to cling on to the drive and preserve a first clean sheet of the season. He had little else to do as the back four in front of him kept Colts at bay, with Phillips claiming his first man of the match award of the season.

There was still time for more efforts at the other end, with Rob Jones, Lee Rogers and Edwards all having efforts kept out by the Colt's goalkeeper, who had a fine day between the sticks for the Welshpool side. In the end though they had to settle for just the one goal, despite having 41 attempts on goal over the course of the 90 minutes and the border side were just grateful that they had managed to get the crucial goal of the game and weren't left kicking themselves for letting a dominant display lead to nothing.

It means that a thoroughly satisfactory September in the league ends with nine points from a possible 12 as the club turns their attention to The Montgomeryshire Cup on Tuesday as they travel to Llansantffraid for a game under the lights at half past 7.

Llanymynech Football Club

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