Welsh League heavyweights Llanelli Town and Haverfordwest County go head-to-head at Stebonheath Park next Tuesday (7.30pm).

The Bluebirds of Haverfordwest must surely win to keep their title hopes alive, while Llanelli know a home win would take them a step closer to being crowned champions.

Llanelli are clear at the top after wins against Goytre FC (2-0) and Cwmbran Celtic (5-3).

Swansea-born Joe Clarke, a former Aberystwyth Town, Goytre United and Port Talbot player, fired a hat-trick for the Reds in their win against Cwmbran.

James Loveridge and Kurtis March competed their five-goal tally.

Llanelli also won their previous match, against Goytre FC, in what was the first ever meeting between the two clubs and Llanelli really should have scored more goals. They hit the woodwork twice, failed to convert a penalty and found former Reds goalkeeper Glyn Garner in commanding form.

At the other end home goalkeeper Craig Morris scarcely had a shot to deal with.

Lee Trundle, during the first half, and Liam Samuel, in the closing stages, earned Llanelli victory.

They are three points clear of Penybont in second while Haverfordwest and Afan Lido are six and seven points behind the leaders respectively.

The only negative for the home team was the dismissal of midfield dynamo Jordan Davies for an incident off the ball after 66 minutes.

Trundle was fouled inside the penalty area after 21 minutes, but Joe Clarke’s spot-kick was saved.

Llanelli, though, went ahead within six minutes when Trundle scored from a cheeky back heel after good work by Chris Jones.

Trundle hit the underside of the bar from a Jones cross, while Samuel made it 2-0 after Davies was sent off.

A trademark reverse pass by Trundle sent Samuel clear and he rounded the advancing Garner and the goalkeeper could not prevent his finish into the bottom corner after 84 minutes.

The next match for Llanelli is that home clash next Tuesday when the Reds host a possible title decider against Haverfordwest County (7.30pm.).

Llanelli Town: Morris, Graves, Facciuto, R Thomas (March 46), C Thomas, Bevan, C Jones (Samuel 72), Davies, Clarke (capt), Trundle, Loveridge (Follows 80). Subs not used; L Jones. Vickers.

Goytre FC: Garner, Shergold, Dalton, Wharton, Garrett, Molyneux, Miles (Healy 46), Leek (capt), Bassett, Islip, Jones (Summers 62).

Referee: Jordan Harman (Newbridge).

Attendance: 242.

Haverfordwest won 2-1 at Afan Lido in their last match to maintain hope of catching Llanelli in the title chase.

The Bluebirds took the lead after five minutes when Greg Walters struck a volley which flew over goalkeeper Steve Cann and into the net.

County almost doubled the lead five minutes later when Tim Hicks’ effort following a corner was scrambled out to Steff Williams, whose shot crashed against the bar.

Danny Williams scored Haverfordwest’s second goal; after 35 minutes after good work by Walters.

Lido had substitute Ben Thomas sent off for stamping, but they had the last word when Liam McCreesh scored a late goal.

County stayed on top, though, and secured the three points.

The performances of Walters and Danny Williams in attack were outstanding, while Conah McFenton, Sean Pemberton and the Haverfordwest defence were outstanding.

Haverfordwest County: Conah McFenton; Matthew Broome, Alaric Jones, Sean Pemberton, Tim Hicks, Ricky Watts, Steffan Williams, Greg Walters, Declan Carroll (Ryan Thomas 30),Dan Williams, Elliot Scotcher. Sub not used: Leon Luby, Charlie Davies.

Welsh League Division One results: Caerau Ely 0, Taffs Well 3; Cwmamman United 1, Afan Lido 0; Goytre FC 0, Port Talbot Town 1; Llanelli Town 5, Cwmbran Celtic 3; Undy Athletic 2, Goytre United 0.

Fixtures

March

Tuesday 27: Briton Ferry Llansawel v Cwmamman United, Llanelli Town v Haverfordwest County.

Saturday 31: Cwmamman United v Undy Athletic, Goytre FC v Afan Lido, Goytre United v Cwmbran Celtic, Monmouth Town v Haverfordwest County, Port Talbot Town v Caerau Ely, Taffs Well v Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Welsh League One 2017-2018

All teams play 30 matches