According to the dictionary, an underdog is defined as ‘a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or a contest’. It’s not a tag often used for the Amman United, but I think it’s fair to say that we go into this game today as exactly that. Quite simply, Kidwelly are flying at the top of the table, and we’re not, but more on that a bit later.

We were asked by one of our Kidwelly friends this week when we last played each other, nobody can seem to remember so it’s not in recent history at least. A quick look back through the record books shows the last official recorded games dating way back to the late fifties, all friendly games. We drew 3 - 3 away in the 1956/57 season, Nev Anthony the scorer that day, and later that season we beat them 3 - 0, scorer, Pat Brosnan. There is an 8-3 recorded victory for us on the 10th December 1960 (the year the stand was built), again a friendly, but there is no other info available. Quite a gap in the records though so if there was a more recent game played in the 70’s or so then I’m sure the ‘Amman Prince of Trivia’ Martin Luther will fill us in over a mulled wine later.

Back to the present and their form is outstanding, seven wins from eight puts them top, their only league defeat so far coming during the first game of the season at home to Llangennech, a shock result some might say. They average 35 points per game and on average concede 16. They also have a few SWALEC Plate wins under their belts but surprisingly got knocked out of that competition by Aberystwyth last week, a game lost 17 -12, after being up 3 – 12 at one stage. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, our league position doesn’t reflect our performances. Average points scored for us is 19, against is 26. One score difference, and that sums it up, close but not quite close enough. It is starting to click again and with Dean almost back to full fitness, Liam Smith returning and Tom and Liam Mangan turning down mega-money deals to join Llandovery to stay with us (the word I am looking for is ‘ffyddlon’), it’ll come.

This is our first game at home since winning here on the 1st November but the youth have kept the park (and bar) ticking over with some impressive displays, hope their drinking is as impressive in the Xmas Jumper party tonight. Nice to see Kidwelly and their youth looking forward to joining in the festivities as well (we’ll buy them a pint for sticking 49 points on the Blue Oysters recently, who we play after this game on the 5th January!). Croeso I chi gyd. Merry Xmas to all our supporters, and remember, everyone loves an underdog.

#AMDANI